Learn how to schedule meetings and ensure you get the right cadence and momentum for meetings.
Answer the following questions:
1. A board meeting is typically held:
a) Daily
b) Weekly
c) Quarterly or Annually
d) Every morning before work
2. A team meeting (general updates) usually happens:
a) Once a year
b) Weekly or biweekly
c) Hourly
d) Only during emergencies
3. A daily stand-up (agile) meeting is designed to:
a) Review financial reports
b) Brainstorm new product launches
c) Share quick updates and blockers
d) Plan holiday schedules
4. A check-in meeting is often used for:
a) Formal decisions
b) Casual progress or well-being updates
c) Training new employees
d) Product demos only
You’re leading a team meeting. How might you open the session?
1. Daily Stand-Up / Agile Check-In
Goal: Share quick updates, progress, blockers
Tone: Brief, focused, informal
Typical Length: 15 minutes
Useful Phrases:
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“Yesterday, I worked on…”
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“Today, I’m planning to…”
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“I’m blocked by…” / “I need support with…”
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“No blockers today.”
2. Weekly/Biweekly Team Meeting
Goal: Align the team, share updates, review tasks
Tone: Collaborative, moderately formal
Typical Length: 30–60 minutes
Useful Phrases:
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“Let’s start with a round of updates.”
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“Do we need to adjust priorities?”
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“Is anyone overloaded or behind on something?”
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“Let’s assign action items before we wrap up.”
3. Board/Executive Meeting
Goal: High-level strategy, performance reviews, approvals
Tone: Formal, data-driven, structured
Typical Length: 60–90 minutes (or longer)
Useful Phrases:
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“The purpose of today’s meeting is to…”
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“Here are the key metrics for this quarter.”
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“We recommend moving forward with…”
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“Are there any objections or concerns?”
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“Can we approve this by consensus?”
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“Let’s table that discussion for the next meeting.”
Read the following situations and scenarios.
SCENARIO 1 – Daily Stand-Up (Agile Team)
Roles: Marketing Lead, Operations Lead, Project Manager
Situation:
The team is preparing a prototype for two new milk-based products. Look at the table below. Pretend you are at the morning stand-up play the role of each part presenting their updates.
| Yesterday's Activities | Today's Plan | Blockers | |
| Marketing | Finalized campaign concepts for two flavours: oat-infused and maple-flavoured products | Complete mock-up presentations for the test audience | Need packaging details from the Operations team to finalize the visuals |
| Operations | Reviewed the supply chain timeline and packaging supplier capacity | Meet with the vendor to confirm delivery timelines | Had a miscommunication on sizing requirements with the vendor and need to clear it up |
| Project Manager | Make packaging specs the top priority for both teams. Follow up by 2PM to check progress. |
SCENARIO 2 – Board Presentation
Roles: Presenter
Situation:
The team must present a recommendation to the Dairy Farmers of Canada board: Launch 3 new products, phase rollout, and test packaging in two provinces. Present the following results and recommendations.
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Key findings from consumer testing indicate strong demand for oat-infused and maple-flavored milk products.
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Operations has confirmed that a limited regional rollout in Ontario and Quebec is achievable by Q3.
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Marketing will run pilot campaigns focused on health-conscious families and Gen Z buyers.
Recommendation: To move forward with a regional rollout in Q3, followed by national expansion depending on performance.
Have you ever been in a situation in which you had to speak English at a morning stand-up or meeting? What can you take away from this lesson for your next English morning stand-up?