Making a decision

Making a decision

Listen to a meeting in which colleagues make a decision to practise and improve your listening skills.

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

Preparation

Transcript

Jani: Thanks for coming, everyone. So, we're here today to define the timeline for our new project.

Emiko: Yes, Jani, that's a great idea.

Carolina: OK. What do you need from us?

Emiko: Hold on a moment. I think we need to decide between us what to do, to make sure it works for all departments.

Jani: Yes, exactly, don't worry. We're going to discuss this and make a decision together. Let's first think about the scheduling of each project phase. What do you think, Emiko?

David: Can I interrupt? I think we should first be clear about the process we'll use to make the decision. How are we going to do it?

Jani: Ah, yes. Good point. Well, I think the best way is for each of you to give your opinion and then we can discuss and make a decision.

David: OK. That sounds good.

Emiko: Yes, that works for me too. I know we're still planning the structure of the later phases of the project, but I think we should begin phase one as soon as possible. We can work out the rest later, as we go along.

David: I'm sorry, I don't think so. How can we start phase one if we're not fully clear on where the rest of the project will take us? We might make a wrong decision and waste time.

Jani: I agree with you on that point, David. However, we'll waste too much time if we wait until everything is planned before we actually start working on the project. I think we should take an agile approach.

David: Agile approach?

Jani: Well, it means that we start quickly and then adapt as we go along.

Emiko: That's right.

Jani: Carolina, you've been very quiet.

Carolina: Um … I'm sorry. I didn't want to interrupt. I'm listening … and thinking.

David: Do you agree we should get the plan right first, and then start with phase one?

Carolina: I'm sorry, David. I don't think I agree with you. It's important to have a good plan. But plans can change, even the good ones – and business changes often. We need to be flexible, and we also need to move quickly.

Jani: OK. So should we take a vote?

Emiko: Well, you're the project leader. Let's go with your decision.

Carolina: Yes, I'll follow your lead, Jani.

David: Well, I guess that's decided then. We'll follow your agile approach, Jani. Start quickly and keep planning the later stages of the project.

Jani: Yes, that's right.

David: I still don't think this is the right decision, but I'm happy to go with the majority. We should add some space into the schedule later for additional work this 'flexibility' will need.

Jani: Don't worry, David, we will. OK, so it's decided then. We'll start phase one as soon as possible, and in the background we'll continue planning the later phases and adapt them as we go along.

Discussion

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Average: 4 (122 votes)

Submitted by Widad Damia' on Tue, 17/09/2019 - 08:27

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I have completed the following lessons of A student Discussion, Meeting an old friend , and Making a Decission. The level that I chose was intermediate B1 Listening.

Submitted by Izzah Athirah on Tue, 17/09/2019 - 08:26

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I have completed the following lessons of A student Discussion, Meeting an old friend and Making a Decision. The level that I chose was intermediate B1 Listening

Submitted by hafiyaqil on Tue, 17/09/2019 - 07:45

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i have completed the lesson Making a Decision,the level i choose was B1 Intermidiate Listening

Submitted by hafiyaqil on Tue, 17/09/2019 - 07:44

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i have completed the lesson Making Decision
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Submitted by Magedelabd on Sun, 15/09/2019 - 17:47

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Where I work , decisions are made following specific rules and regulations .
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Submitted by kamicounciler on Tue, 10/09/2019 - 21:54

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well for now i work alone,so i make decisions myself.although a few years ago when i was working in a game studio,we used to have sessions for scheduling our projects and also a global report of company situation.usually our CEO would define a goal and a deadline and then he 'd ask the others to offer their thoughts about the best ways to do each phase.
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Submitted by mehrazin on Mon, 02/09/2019 - 18:39

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Hi every body I work as sales marketing and public relations manager ,so i make my own decisions by taking the marketing goals and progressive objectivesHi every body I work as a sales marketing and public relations manager, so I make my own decisions by taking the marketing goals and profitable objectives into consideration. I also discuss and welcome new ideas, even I take rewards for each of my staff, who offer new and interesting and practical ideas to improve the work situation and make the work area more and more innovative before. But generally before taking any action in my workplace, I offer the opinions with my boss to get his confirmation and also to have a consult with him. Thank you very much indeed the learn english team , i appreciate your perfect effort . love you all Best wishes and good luck to you. Mehrazin

Submitted by pam89 on Tue, 13/08/2019 - 16:55

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Until few months ago, I managed an hotel with other partners. So, usually decisions were taken together after a discussion or if there wasn' time to discuss about it, by whom was more available in that moment.

Submitted by starfish2019 on Mon, 12/08/2019 - 13:38

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How are decisions usually made where you work? In our Logistics and Shipping Company, we have big hierarchy structure of the organization chart and decisions making. Normally, we have to follow our Company's President (The Big Boss) Goals, Targets and Policies. Afterward, our CEO also gives his specific instructions to all the branches, which is aligning with the President's objectives. Then we all have to follow and try to achieve the goals by completing various the tasks. Our branch GM also makes his own decisions by discussing the local situations and regional issues with us first to finalize. Then my turn to make smaller decisions as a Sales and Marketing Dept Manager. I also normally discuss with my team and follow by the Top Level Management's guidelines and policies to make my decisions.
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Submitted by liliaveras on Tue, 16/07/2019 - 14:24

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In my work usually we decide the subjects together.