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Useful Language for Chairing a Business Meeting

04 Oct 2022

meetingsMost formal business meetings are chaired by an individual who structures the meeting and ensures that different roles are assigned to the participants in the meeting. The chairperson also manages the opening and closing remarks of the meeting, which are both essential to the outcome of the discussion. Chairing a meeting involves knowing how to make remarks and comments at the right times, getting the conversation back on track if any deviates, and making opening and closing remarks that emphasise the main points of the discussion.

Usually, it is only formal business meetings which are chaired, which means that the chairperson’s language also has to be more or less formal in nature. The language and usage of expressions depend on what kind of meeting is being chaired. Business meetings that are internal to a company can utilize more informal language, while meetings in which clients are present are usually more formally organised and conducted.

The following are some useful expressions for chairing a meeting.

Starting

Let's get down to business.
We'd better start.
OK, shall we make a start?
Right, let's begin.


Welcoming

We're pleased to welcome...
I'd like to welcome...
I'd like to start by welcoming…
It's my pleasure to welcome...


Introducing

I'd like to introduce...
I don't think you've met…
Can I introduce...


Stating purpose/objectives/aims

We're here today to...
Our aim is to...
I've called this meeting in order to…
The purpose of this meeting is to…


Seeking Opinion

I suggest we go round the table first.
I'd like to hear what you all think before we make a decision.


Summarising/Closing a meeting

Completing the agenda

Right, it looks as though we've covered the main areas/main points.
I think that just about covers everything.
Is there anything more to discuss?

Summarising

Let me just summarise the main points.
Shall I just go over the main points?
So to sum up...

Closing

Let's stop there.
I'm afraid we'll have to finish here.
Let's call it a day.
OK, we’ll leave it there.
 
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