Meetings

Hello, team!
Today we focus on the first practice step to transition you towards regular and intensive practice.


Step 1. Read through the short article and answer for yourself: What are 2 key things I learned from it.
Step 2. Analyze language used.
Ask us questions, if any.
Step 3. Work on connecting Reading and Listening.
1) Listen for practice, repeat for clarity. Record your version and share the audio file in the class group by the end of Wednesday, July 26th. Spend max of 15 mins on this.
2) Choose 2 structures or phrases and create your work-related examples. Share in the group in text by the end of Wednesday, July 26th. Spend 5 mins on this task.

Meetings

Since 2000, the amount of time that we spend on meetings has increased by an estimated 10% per year. An average meeting lasts 30 to 60 minutes, and we attend up to 10 meetings a week.

A recent study in the USA revealed that workers spend an average of two hours a week in pointless meetings. Two hours per person per week has been estimated at $400 billion per year of lost productivity.

However, meetings are also important for connecting colleagues, sharing ideas and for fostering innovation and creativity.

Some tips to make meetings more productive include having an agenda and sharing it before the meeting. Limit the discussion time, take notes, and define clear action points to be followed afterwards.

Some companies have limited meetings to just one day per week. With this restriction, employees report that many issues are resolved without waiting until the next meeting day.

Useful structures:

1. The amount of ... has increased/decreased by...

The amount of workload has increased by at least 10 %.

2. An average ... lasts/takes/requires...

An average report takes 2-3 working days to be issued.

3. ... is/are also important for <doing> / <sth>

Engaging younger associates into challenging projects is also important for the overall team morale.

4. ...include <sth> / <doing sth>

Some traditional pastimes include making zongzi, which are a type of sticky rice "dumplings" with different fillings, and spending time in nature with your loved ones.

5. With this..., <can do> without <doing>

With this new approach, we can achieve the same goals at reduced costs.