The main content of the topic is that in some cases, business professionals may cancel scheduled meetings for a variety of reasons. At that time, businessmen need to warn their colleagues or partners politely

Mahmudov Eldor HBA-72
Lesson 6. Cancelling a meeting
Task 1. Read the text and give a brief summary.
The main content of the topic is that in some cases, business professionals may cancel scheduled meetings for a variety of reasons. At that time, businessmen need to warn their colleagues or partners politely (over the phone). Delayed warning can prevent work rescheduling and moving forward in business.
Task 2. Mark true and false sentences according to the text.

1. 
   Business professionals often have to cancel scheduled appointments due to bad weather, social obligations, or work mandates. TRUE
   
2. 
   It is important for the individual responsible for the cancellation to inform the person(s) expected to attend the meeting as soon as possible. TRUE
   
3. 
   The more courteous one is in postponing informing a fellow business specialist of a cancellation, the greater the chances of rescheduling are. FALSE
   
4. 
   The rescheduling process is typically completed over the phone. TRUE
   
5. 
   An example of a typical business appointment cancellation phone call is one where the caller informs the other person of the appointment and apologizes for the inconvenience. TRUE
   

Task 3. Find synonyms and antonyms.

Synonyms				Antonyms
1. appointment		c. meeting	6. obligation			h. option
2.to restructure		e. to rearrange	7. conflict			j. peace
3. cancellation		a. annulment	8. promptly			i. late
4. efficient		b. well-organized	9. understanding			g. unsympathetic
5. quickness		d. speed	10. to complete			f. to start

Task 4. Match the words with the correct definitions.

1. appointment		f. a formal arrangement to meet or visit someone at a particular time and place
2. to cancel		a. to decide that something that has been arranged will not happen
3. obligation		e. a legal or moral duty to do something
4. conflict		j. an active disagreement between people with opposing opinions or principles
5. mandate		b. the authority given to an elected group of people, such as a government, to perform an action or govern a country
6. promptly		g. quickly, without delay, or at the arranged time
7. courteous		c. polite and showing respect
8. to hesitate		d. to pause before you do or say something, often because you are uncertain or nervous about it
9. understanding		i. to express a thought, feeling, or idea so that it is understood by other people
10. to convey		h. to pause before you do or say something, often because you are uncertain or nervous about it

Task 5. Listen to the audio and fill in the gaps with suitable words from the box.

1. Occasionally, because of business professionals' ultra-busy workdays, one will be forced to cancel a scheduled appointment to fulfill another obligation. 2. Common reasons for cancelled appointments include, but are not limited to: scheduling conflicts, illness, social obligation, and work mandates. 3. Whatever the reason an appointment is cancelled, it’s important that the individual responsible for the cancellation call the person(s) expected to attend the meeting as quickly as possible. 4. Additionally, the more courteous one is in promptly informing a fellow business specialist of a cancellation. 5. The greater the chances of rescheduling, or agreeing on a different day and time for a previously scheduled meeting, are. 6. Lastly, the rescheduling process is typically completed over the phone, as it’s a personal form communication through which interest and care can be easily conveyed. 7. Notice that the call was efficient, understanding, and forward; the caller didn’t hesitate to inform the other individual of the cancellation, which would have simply wasted more of his time. 8. Quickness and forwardness are important components of a successful business-appointment rescheduling phone call.

Task 6. Select and tick the correct answer.

1.What should a business professional do if he or she cannot keep a scheduled appointment? a. Ignore the appointment b. Send someone else to attend c. Leave a message the day of the meeting d. Call the other party and explain the situation as soon as possible	3. What are some of the potential benefits of promptly informing another party of an appointment cancellation? a. Further developing a respectful relationship with this party b. Increasing the chances of rescheduling for a later date c. There are no benefits of doing so d. 1 and 2
2. What are some acceptable reasons for cancelling a business appointment? a. Illness, work mandates, social obligations, and scheduling conflicts b. One doesn’t feel like attending an appointment c. One doesn’t like the person who the appointment has been made with d. None of the above	5. When should a business appointment be rescheduled for? a. Whenever is convenient for the person or persons who cancelled b. Whenever is semi-convenient for both parties c. Whenever is convenient for the person or persons who didn’t cancel
4. What is the tone of a quality rescheduling phone call? a. Indirect and careless b. Direct and to-the-point c. Fun and energetic d. Unfocused and uninterested

Task 7. Find and correct the mistakes in this consultancy report for AC Transport. There is one mistake in each sentence.

1. AC Transport is the largest transport company in the UK.
2. We are also the most respected company in the country.
3. Customers say we are still the best transport company in the North.
4. In the last 20 years, we have grown the fastest among all our competitors.
5. However, we have recently lost our biggest contract.
6. Last year was our worst since we began.
7. AC Transport could become the least competitive transport company in the region if this continues.
8. Analysis has shown that the personnel department's greatest problem is keeping experienced drivers.
9. These drivers travel the farthest and take the most time off for sickness.
10. This is especially true in the busiest months of the year.
11. Various solutions have been discussed, and the most effective one is to reorganize operations so that drivers drive shorter distances between stops.
12. We also need to ensure that they receive better training and have improved access to healthcare.