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

Matching_MjMzNDY=

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.

Task 1

MultipleChoice_MjMzNTQ=.xml

Task 2

Grouping_MjMzNDc=.xml

Discussion

How are decisions usually made where you work?

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Language level

B1 Intermediate

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.

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.

In my work usually we decide the subjects together.

As a teachers assistant, I don't get involved in any decision making. Once a month there is a teachers meeting with the managers to discuss any issues, projects in place or anything that needs input from everyone.

Initially I try to review the lesson at home on my own. If I don't understand, I compare myself with other students to see what they understand. If I can't clarify my ideas in ths wayI ask the teacher .

In the context where I work the most of the decisions are made by the top-down companies. As a coordinator I have to check that they are applied by workers. Decisions regarding organisation of the activities within my department are shared with my collaborators. I think that the involvment of the collaborators in the decisions in certain areas is fundamental to find out better solutions

Hi there! I think there is something wrong with the task 2. I search for the others 4 questions but i can't find them and when i click on finish, it says that there are 4 unanswered questions. i can't understand what is going on!

Hello Andres

Please see my response to JaskaranKalra just below. The task works, it's just that you have to be careful when you move the answers into the boxes. There are two answers in each box and when you move the second answer into the box, you must click or press on the small hand inside the box. If you don't do that, your first answer moves back to the top of the task.

It's quite easy to do but a little difficult to explain, so if you need me to explain it in more detail to you, please let us know.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

There is a problem with task 2. I am able to see only 4 options but when i click on finish button, it shows that i have completed only 4 options out of 8. I have also tried to scroll but there are no further options to see. Thanks.