Collocations for planning in business meetings
Do you have an important planning meeting up come up soon? Strategic planning is a key part of any successful business. If you want to sound professional and make sure your international colleagues understand exactly what you mean, then you definitely need to check out this week’s episode.
Today, I am going to share with you ten useful collocations that you can use in your next planning meeting. These essential expressions will help you to communicate more clearly and give your business English a native touch.
As with other episodes, first I will introduce you to the collocations, secondly, I will explain the meaning and finally I will put everything into context with some example sentences.
Let’s get started!
Watch the episode here
Collocations for planning
To put together a framework
Meaning: Create the structure
“Today’s meeting is really about putting together a framework, one that will guide the project.”
To implement a plan
Meaning: Execute a project or programme
“Once we have agreed on the strategic plan, we will need to implement it for it to be effective.”
To move forward with a plan
Meaning: To proceed with a project or programme
“We can’t move forward with the plan until we have the board’s approval.”
To translate something into reality
Meaning: To realise or achieve
“We seem to have all of these wonderful ideas, yet we never seem to translate them into reality.”
To take a leading role
Meaning: To play a key role
“John, I want you to take a leading role on this project and ensure that it runs smoothly.”
To take ownership of something
Meaning: Assume responsibility
“If no body steps up and takes ownership of some of these issues, then I will have to assign them to each team member.”
To do something in a timely manner
Meaning: At the appropriate moment
“We are trying to follow the plan, however if we don’t get some of these tasks done in a timely manner, we won’t be able to deliver the project on time.”
To create milestones
Meaning: Establish major steps
“Brian and Maria have created some project milestones. We will use them to make sure we are sticking to the plan.”
To task someone with something
Meaning: assign responsibility
“Mark, can I task you with reviewing the Johnson and Mills account? I need to know if everything is going according to plan.”
To drag one’s heels
Meaning: do too slowly
“If we drag our heels on getting this part of the project completed, then we won’t be able to meet our deadline.”
Planning collocations in context
Take a look at the table below. On the left you have the expression, followed by the example. For those of you who are native Spanish speakers, you have the translation on the right.
Expression | Example | Spanish translation |
|---|---|---|
To put together a framework | “Today’s meeting is really about putting together a framework, one that will guide the project.” | Acordar sobre el marco de condiciones |
To implement a plan | “Once we have agreed on the strategic plan, we will need to implement it for it to be effective.” | Poner en marcha el plan |
To move forward with a plan | “We can’t move forward with the plan until we have the board’s approval.” | Avanzar con el plan |
To translate something into reality | “We seem to have all of these wonderful ideas, yet we never seem to translate them into reality.” | Se hace realidad |
To take a leading role | “John, I want you to take a leading role on this project and ensure that it runs smoothly.” | Tener el papel principal |
To take ownership of something | “If no body steps up and takes ownership of some of these issues, then I will have to assign them to each team member.” | Hacerse responsable de |
To do something in a timely manner | “We are trying to follow the plan, however if we don’t get some of these tasks done in a timely manner, we won’t be able to deliver the project on time.” | Completar puntualmente |
To create milestones | “Brian, could you please reach out to your colleagues in London and see if they can help us find a solution to this problem?” | Crear metas |
To task someone with something | “Mark, can I task you with reviewing the Johnson and Mills account? I need to know if everything is going according to plan.” | Asignar a alguien la tarea de hacer algo |
To drag one’s heels | “If we drag our heels on getting this part of the project completed, then we won’t be able to meet our deadline.” | Ser lento |
Final thoughts
Well, that brings us to the end of this week’s episode of The Art of Business English. I would love to hear your comments, so let me know if you have found any of these expressions useful. Are there any collocations that you love to use in planning meetings that I have not included?
If you are interested in performing at your best in your next business meeting in English, then why don’t you enroll in my course “Confidence in Business Meetings”. On this course you will learn all the best practice for planning, running and participating effectively and confidently in business meetings where English is spoken as a first language.
Confidence in Business Meetings
Do you get embarrassed when you need to attend a meeting in English? Maybe you feel frustrated when you can't express yourself clearly. Do you want to be invisible in a meeting, hoping that you won't need to answer any questions?
If you would like to learn how to confidently participate in meetings that lead to successful outcomes and more business for you and your company, then I've got the answer.
That is it from me this week. I look forward to hearing from you and I’ll see you next week. Till then.
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