LANGUAGE OF MEETINGS

Some basic language for meetings:

A.G.M. : abbr. Annual General Meeting.
A.O.B. : abbr. Any Other Business [usually the last item on an agenda].
Absent : not here; not at the meeting; not present.
agenda : a written programme or schedule for a meeting.
apologies : item on agenda announcing people who are absent; apologies for absence.
ballot : a type of vote, usually in writing and usually secret- secret ballot n.
casting vote : a deciding vote (usually by the chairman) when the votes are otherwise equal.
chairman : the person who leads or presides at a meeting; chairperson; chair.
conference : formal meeting for discussion, esp. a regular one held by an organisation.
conference call : telephone call between three or more people in different locations.
consensus : general agreement.
decision : a conclusion or resolution to do something - to decide v.
item : a separate point for discussion [as listed on an agenda].
matters arising  : item on agenda for discussion of what has happened as a result of last meeting.
minutes : a written record of everything said at a meeting.
proxy vote : a vote cast by one person for or in place of another.
show of hands : raised hands to express an opinion in a vote.
unanimous : in complete agreement; united in opinion.
videoconference : conference of people in different locations linked by satellite, TV etc.
vote : to express opinion in a group by voice or hand etc - also n. - to cast a vote v.

Expressions for Agreeing and Disagreeing

Stating an opinion
-In my opinion...
-The way I see it...
-If you want my honest opinion....
-According to Lisa...
-As far as I'm concerned...
-If you ask me...

Asking for an opinion
-What's your idea?
-What are your thoughts on all of this?
-How do you feel about that?
-Do you have anything to say about this?
-What do you think?
-Do you agree?
-Wouldn't you say?

Expressing agreement
-I agree with you 100 percent.
-I couldn't agree with you more.
-That's so true.
-That's for sure.
-(slang) Tell me about it!
-You're absolutely right.
-Absolutely.
-That's exactly how I feel.
-Exactly.
-I'm afraid I agree with James.
-I have to side with Dad on this one.
-No doubt about it.
-(agree with negative statement) Me neither.
-(weak) I suppose so. /I guess so.
-You have a point there.

-I was just going to say that.

Expressing disagreement
-I don't think so.
-(strong) No way.
-I'm afraid I disagree.
-(strong) I totally disagree.
-I beg to differ.
-(strong) I'd say the exact opposite.
-Not necessarily.
-That's not always true.
-That's not always the case.
-No, I'm not so sure about that.

Interruptions
-Can I add something here?
-Is it okay if I jump in for a second?
-If I might add something...
-Can I throw my two cents in?
-Sorry to interrupt, but...
-(after accidentally interrupting someone) Sorry, go ahead. OR Sorry, you were saying...
-(after being interrupted) You didn't let me finish.

Settling an argument
-Let's just move on, shall we?
-Let's drop it.
-I think we're going to have to agree to disagree.
-(sarcastic) Whatever you say. / If you say so.
 

* Answer-key for exercise unit/point "8. MARKETING & FINANCE" :

- artículo cebo/ de gancho: loss leader
-atención-interés-deseo-acción(AIDA):   
 AIDA, attention-interest-desire-action
-beneficio bruto: gros margin
-beneficio neto: net profit
-costo variable: variable costs
-cuando el ingreso es el mismo que los
 gastos: break-even point
-de gran rendimiento/muy productivo:
 cash cow
-facturación: turnover
-gasto/desembolso: expenditure
-garantía/aval: collateral
-lanzamiento de producto: product launch
-líder en el mercado: market leader
-nicho de mercado: niche market
-presupuesto: budget
-quiebra/bancarrota: bankruptcy
-reconocimiento de marca: brand awareness
-reunión de consumidores/grupo de discusión: focus group