English Phrases to Use When Starting a Business Meeting

Starting a business meeting with confidence is crucial, especially for English learners. Using the right phrases helps set a professional tone and ensures smooth communication. Here are useful phrases to use when starting a business meeting, along with examples to help you apply them. 

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1. Phrases to Use When Starting a Business Meeting: Welcoming Participants

Opening a meeting professionally creates a good first impression. Here are common phrases:

• “Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Thank you for being here today.”
• “I’d like to welcome you all to today’s meeting.”
• “Before we begin, I’d like to introduce myself…”
• “Let’s start by welcoming our new team members.”

✅ Example: “Good morning, everyone. I’d like to welcome you all to today’s meeting. Let’s get started.”

2. Phrases to Use When Starting a Business Meeting: Stating the Purpose

Clarifying the objective helps participants understand the meeting’s focus.

• “The purpose of today’s meeting is to…”
• “We’re here today to discuss…”
• “Our main goal for today is to…”
• “Let’s go over the agenda quickly before we begin.”

✅ Example: “We’re here today to discuss the upcoming project deadlines and assign responsibilities.”

3. Phrases to Use When Starting a Business Meeting: Reviewing the Agenda

Giving a brief overview keeps the meeting structured.

• “Here’s a quick look at our agenda for today.”
• “We have three key points to cover today: first…”
• “Before we dive in, let’s outline today’s discussion points.”

✅ Example: “Before we begin, let’s outline today’s agenda. We’ll first discuss the budget, then move on to project timelines.”

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4. Phrases to Use When Starting a Business Meeting: Setting Meeting Rules

Establishing ground rules ensures a productive discussion.

• “To keep things efficient, let’s stick to the agenda.”
• “Please feel free to ask questions, but let’s keep discussions brief.”
• “Let’s ensure everyone gets a chance to speak.”

✅ Example: “To keep things on track, let’s stick to the agenda and keep discussions brief.”

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5. Phrases to Use When Starting a Business Meeting: Kicking Off with Engagement

Encouraging participation from the start makes the meeting more effective.

• “Let’s begin with a quick round of introductions.”
• “To start, I’d love to hear your thoughts on…”
• “Does anyone have anything to add before we begin?”

✅ Example: “Let’s start with a quick round of introductions before we jump into the discussion.”

6. Making a Strong First Impression in a Business Meeting

First impressions matter in business, and research supports this. Studies show that people form an opinion about someone within seven seconds of meeting them. This means your body language, tone, and choice of words are crucial.

Tips for a Positive First Impression:

• Dress appropriately for the meeting’s formality level.
• Maintain eye contact to show confidence and attentiveness.
• Use a firm handshake or an appropriate greeting (depending on cultural norms).
• Speak clearly and confidently when introducing yourself.
• Be punctual—arriving late can create a negative impression.

✅ Example: “Good afternoon, everyone. I’m excited to get started. Let’s begin by introducing ourselves.”

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7. Using Professional and Friendly Language in a Business Meeting

Balancing professionalism with friendliness makes meetings more engaging and productive. Using polite and inclusive language helps build rapport with colleagues and clients.

Polite and Professional Phrases:

• “It’s great to see you all here today.”
• “I appreciate you taking the time to join us.”
• “Before we begin, I’d like to thank everyone for being here.”
• “Let’s make sure we have a productive discussion today.”

✅ Example: “I appreciate you all taking the time to be here. Let’s ensure we have a productive and efficient meeting.”

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