If you're aiming to leave a lasting impression at the close of a business meeting, this episode of the Business English Podcast offers an invaluable roadmap. Here's a summary of the key learning points to help non-native business English professionals navigate this crucial aspect:

Summarising the Meeting

This is the first step in closing a meeting. You have to recap the main points discussed. For example, you might say, "Before we finish, let's go back over the points from today's meeting," or "To wrap up, I just want to touch on those main points again."

Highlighting Key Aspects

To underline important elements, use phrases like "Now amongst the other elements discussed today, I really want to highlight that..." or "If you take nothing away from today, remember that..."

Expressing Appreciation and Thanks

This part is all about recognising the attendees and their contributions. You might use phrases like "I would just like to highlight the invaluable contribution made by James and his team here today," or simply "Thank you all for your time."

Signposting Next Actions

Guiding attendees to what comes next is essential to maintain momentum. This could include sending out minutes, setting up the next meeting, or assigning follow-up tasks. Examples include "A set of minutes will be sent out by close of play today," or "Right, let's pencil in the next meeting for the last Friday in June."

Professional Closing Statements

A clear and concise set of phrases will signal the end of the meeting, such as "That just about covers everything for today. Thank you for your time," or "Right, that's us. I'll catch up with you all soon."

The podcast episode also stressed the importance of inflection, showing how a downward tone can signify a final statement and assist in a clean break.
 

Conclusion
 

Closing a meeting professionally is no small feat, but with these guidelines from the Business English Podcast, you'll have a robust set of tools at your disposal. Remember, these closing moments punctuate the end of the meeting and leave a lasting impression, so getting them right is key.

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