Do you ever feel like your message isn’t coming across clearly in important business meetings?

For non-native English-speaking professionals in leadership roles, having a strong command of key English terms is crucial for navigating meetings confidently and ensuring clear communication.

Miscommunication or lack of clarity can slow down progress and create unnecessary challenges.

To help you excel in your next meeting, here are 15 must-know business English terms paired with real-life business scenarios that will strengthen your fluency and leadership presence:

1. Agenda / ə-ˈʤɛn-də

• Meaning: A list of items to be discussed in a meeting.

• Example: "Before we start, let’s review the agenda to ensure we cover all necessary topics today."

2. Brainstorm / ˈbreɪn-stɔrm

• Meaning: To generate ideas collectively in an informal way.

• Example: "Let’s brainstorm some solutions to the marketing challenges we're facing."

3. Consensus / kən-ˈsɛn-səs

• Meaning: General agreement among a group.

• Example: "Our goal by the end of this meeting is to reach a consensus on the budget allocation."

4. Deliverables / dɪ-ˈlɪ-vrə-bəlz

• Meaning: The tangible or intangible outcomes to be delivered after a task or project.

• Example: "We need to clearly define the deliverables for this project phase."

5. Execute / ˈɛk-sə-kjut

• Meaning: To carry out or perform a plan or action.

• Example: "Once we finalize the strategy, the next step will be its execution."

6. Feedback / ˈfid-bæk

• Meaning: Information or opinions about something, used as a basis for improvement.

• Example: "I would appreciate your feedback on the presentation we just reviewed."

7. Goal / ɡoʊl

• Meaning: An aim or desired result.

• Example: "Our main goal for this quarter is to increase client satisfaction."

8. Implement / ˈɪm-plə-mənt

• Meaning: To put a decision or plan into effect.

• Example: "After this meeting, we’ll start implementing the new workflow."

9. KPI / keɪ-pi-aɪ

• Meaning: Key Performance Indicator; A measurable value that demonstrates how effectively a company is achieving key objectives.

• Example: "Let's review our KPIs to assess our progress towards our targets."

10. Milestone / ˈmaɪl-stoʊn

• Meaning: A significant stage or event in the development of something.

• Example: "Reaching 10,000 subscribers is a major milestone for our digital marketing campaign."

11. Outsource / aʊt-ˈsɔrs

• Meaning: To obtain goods or services from an external source.

• Example: "We are considering outsourcing our IT services to streamline operations."

12. ROI / ɑr-oʊ-aɪ

• Meaning: Return on Investment; A performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment.

• Example: "We need to calculate the ROI to justify the budget increase for the new project."

13. Stakeholder / ˈsteɪk-hoʊldər

• Meaning: A person with an interest or concern in a business.

• Example: "We must consider our stakeholders' needs when we make these decisions."

14. Synergy / ˈsɪ-nər-ʤi

• Meaning: The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations to produce a greater effect.

• Example: "By working together, our teams can create a synergy that will benefit the entire project."

15. Touch base / tʌʧ beɪs

• Meaning: To briefly contact or check in with someone.

• Example: "Let’s touch base next week to discuss the project’s progress."

Knowing these terms is only half the battle—using them effectively in your business conversations is what truly makes the difference. When you start incorporating these words into your everyday discussions, you'll notice how much more confident and clear your communication becomes.

But remember, it’s not just about the words you use. How you deliver them matters just as much.

Pay attention to your tone, body language, and how you engage with others during meetings. These subtle factors can greatly influence how your message is received.

Also, be strategic in your communication. Keep things clear and to the point, and always work to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts.

When you combine these approaches—enhancing your vocabulary while improving your delivery—you'll lead meetings with greater impact, foster better collaboration, and drive meaningful results.

Keep Learning

Don’t stop here—take your communication skills even further with these 55 Better Ways to Say "I Think...” that will boost your confidence and fluency. Click here to dive in!

Also, download your free audio training of the three must-know leadership communication skills for non-native speakers here.

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