A project management meeting

Listen to a project management meeting to practise and improve your listening skills.

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation

Transcript

John: Thanks, everyone, for coming to this project meeting. I know we're all working cross-functionally on this project, but so far the key stakeholders are really pleased with how it's going. This project will really benefit our overall value proposition and the company as a whole.

Akiko: Thanks, John. It's an important project. It's good to be collaborating on this together.

Matteo: Yes, it's important, but we're all so busy with our regular jobs. It'll be difficult to fit things in.

John: It's OK, Matteo. We'll work it out. I know that you all have a lot on at the moment, combining this project with your regular jobs.

Barbara: So, what do we need to do, and by when?

John: Good questions, Barbara. We have a number of key deliverables to discuss so it's essential we're all in agreement about roles and responsibilities and also the timelines we're working to.

Akiko: Great.

Matteo: Yes, it's good to get this clear.

John: So, the first thing we need to do is design the customer survey questionnaire. In my experience, this is best done through an online survey tool.

Akiko: That sounds like a great idea. I'm glad you have experience with this.

John: Yeah, we've done something similar on previous projects.

Matteo: So will you do that, John?

John: I'd love to but I'm already tied up managing this project, and my line manager, Kate, has agreed that I should focus on the timelines, reporting and financial management. I'd like Akiko to lead on the questionnaire. You learned about this on your marketing and PR course, didn't you?

Akiko: Yeah, happy to take it on.

John: Thanks, Akiko. Next thing is we need the new designs finalised. Matteo, you said you could do this in a couple of weeks, right?

Matteo: Yeah, I know, but that was last month, and then nothing happened. I'm overloaded at the moment and my line manager won't be happy if I don't hit my targets. Sorry, but this project has to take lower priority.

John: Hmm. I see. I can understand the challenge you're facing. I've been in that situation before. So, what can we do to help you hit those targets and free up some time?

Matteo: That's a good question. If I could get a slight reduction in my targets, I could use the extra time that would create to finish the designs for this project.

John: OK. We might not be able to get your targets reduced, but I'll see what we can do.

Barbara: How about if I support Matteo there? I know his job well and I have some capacity at the moment. I can help him meet his targets so he can free up some time to finish the designs for this project.

Matteo: Could you, Barbara?

John: Hmm. I'm not sure if it's fair to ask Barbara to be supporting Matteo in his regular job so he can work on this project.

Barbara: It's up to you, but I'm happy to support Matteo with his regular work, just for a couple of weeks so he can create the designs. He's the only one with the expertise.

John: Yeah, you're right. OK, thanks a lot, Barbara. I appreciate it. Matteo, would that work for you?

Matteo: Yes, that would work. Thanks. OK, you've made it easy for me to say yes.

John: OK, then that's settled. Thanks, both. I really appreciate your help in this. So, can you get them done by the end of the month?

Matteo: Yes, that should be no problem.

Task 1

MultipleChoice_MjMzMjg=.xml

Task 2

ReorderingHorizontal_MjMzMjk=.xml

Discussion

Do you have any tips for effective meetings?

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Language level

C1 - Advanced

Hi, this is Diego. I would certainly say Matteo is a great asset not only for the team and the specific project in which he is involved but also for the entire company. His unique knowledge among other colleagues, is not good for the company. He could get sick and nobody else would be able to accomplish the goal in which he was involved. Moreover, he could also need help in achieving a specific task. Finally, the company would be in trouble in case he would quit for a new job experience.

I think before general meeting it is important to provide all the attendees with clear agenda and inform about goals and purposes of meeting. Attendees should be provided with proper training and follow up instruction of how to contribute to common goal of meeting. It is vital to ensure that projects assignments are distributed based on expertise of meeting participants. It is coordinator's role to make sure that right persons and right amount of people attending the event. By the way, is there another workspace where we someone checks and corrects our answers? Secondly, I do not receive any notification when someone comments on my publication. Is there another platform to work?

In my opinion, before setting up any meeting, it is very imperative that these following questions get answered: What is the purpose of the meeting, who should be summoned to attend the meeting, what kind of benefit will the company get by accomplishing that job, and for sure all other characteristics of team spirit, competence, and stamina should be founded among the presenters.

The tips I have for an effective meeting is , we should have a clear details about the meeting , the meeting agenda , the action should be taken in that meeting ,

I listened to this as a possible lesson for my C1 students but found the speaking to be too slow and over pronounced. It is not day to day normal speech, which is what my business students at that level are asking for.

I don't have any tips about the project meeting. All of characters have a good skill for their job

Your lessons are very helpful for me. Thank you!

Hello! In the sentence: "I'm not sure if it's fair to ask Barbara to be supporting Matteo in his..." Can we say: "I'm not sure if it's fair to ask Barbara to support Matteo in his..."? Is there a significant difference between the two forms? Thanks Miguel