English for Meetings: How to Present New Ideas Strongly

Learn how to present new ideas at work using persuasive and professional English. Whether you’re suggesting a big change—like moving offices—or just trying to get your team on your side, you’ll learn phrases that help you sound confident, respectful, and clear. I’ll show you how to acknowledge concerns with expressions like “If you’re anything like me…” and how to build support with persuasive language like “Not only are we going to benefit from…” and “There’s no question about it.” By the end of the lesson, you’ll be able to guide your colleagues toward a shared decision while keeping the tone collaborative and positive. Make sure to subscribe for more business English lessons. https://www.engvid.com/english-for-me...

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In this lesson:
0:00 How to present your idea at a meeting
0:53 Why do we need to change?
2:18 Strengthen your argument
3:42 Deal with resistance
5:24 Drive your message home
6:19 Get them to commit!
7:17 Review

TRANSCRIPT:
Hey, guys. Welcome back to engVid with me, Benjamin. Today's lesson we are going to be
looking at presenting to a group of colleagues a new idea that you or the company wants to
implement. So, although this is a business English lesson, I think a wider audience can
enjoy this - native speakers, too - because it looks at how to be persuasive, and it looks
at something called "classical thinking", which is using reason. So, I've got a problem,
I find a solution, and I keep thinking until we've all got there and we have a happy conclusion.
Okay? So, being persuasive, talking to colleagues, and some really good phrases to use at work.
So, if you have what might be considered an unpopular idea, the first thing you need
to do is to persuade the colleagues why you need to change. Okay? What's the burning reason
for this? Now, our first one, we're trying to make them feel comfortable. If there's
any resistance to the new idea, then you're saying it's okay, I understand. Yeah? If they
feel that you understand them, then they're more likely to be receptive to the idea. So,
a phrase like this. "If you're anything like me, you're probably a bit concerned about
starting to use a new software program, or the change... The office moved to a different
location", whatever it is. "If you're anything like me, you're probably a bit concerned about",
and then put what the change is.
However, now we're saying why we think it's important. I really feel that we would be
missing out on a huge opportunity if we didn't do this now. "Because", and then you're putting
your reason. Okay? So, acknowledge the concerns, and then put a big reason in.
Next section is we're adding to the argument, layering it on. Yep, think about a cake, a
wedding cake has different layers. Yeah? We're putting a big sort of reason cake together,
so to speak.
Not only are we going to benefit from... So, let's imagine this situation. Let's say that
we are moving an office from an out-of-town location into the city centre. So, the colleagues
might be concerned about commute times, for example, but we need to say why it would be
great. Not only are we going to benefit from state-of-the-art offices, we'll also attract
a wider range of experts who are able to visit our site. Also, do bear in mind that the company
are going to help with travel expenses. Sounds like a dreamy company to work for, right?
Okay. I think we can expect to see a move to the new location by the end of the year.
Okay? So, all of those reasons, whatever you're talking about, obviously have to be worked
out in advance, so you can just go bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. Okay.
Now, how to deal with any further resistance to the new idea. Again, acknowledge that they
might be worried. Yeah? People take a long time to change. Generally, people don't like
change. That said, it's important to remember all we've achieved here in this office. Yeah?
Make it, you know, they like where they are, so say, "Yeah, it's been really good here,
but it's going to be even better over there." Say someone makes some observation, yeah,
fair point, but we've got to put this into perspective. The office here, there are problems.
Water's pouring through the ceiling. Yeah? There are rats. It's not a great place. Okay?
Let's say that there's another objection. What could it be? Price of rent, reduced profits,
is that going to affect our salary? Well, yes, you could argue that, but I think at the end
of the day, it comes down to what our priorities are, and we want to be seen as... We want to be
seen as a state-of-the-art company with a very welcoming office suite for people to come in
and visit us. Okay? So, what are we doing here? Acknowledging concerns. Listening to people. […]