Mastering Meeting 会议罩得住
- 详细资料
- 创建于 2004年5月24日
- 最后更新于 2024年5月25日
- 发布于 2011年6月28日
- 作者：Mike Lee
- 点击数：397
课文朗读
课文讲解
Larry and his fellow senior manager Donna are talking at work: 赖瑞与同为资深经理的朵娜在工作时谈话：
L: Meetings, meetings, meetings. (sigh) All too often they just seem pointless and unproductive.
开会，开会，开不完的会（叹息）。开这些会往往没有意义，而且效率不彰。
D: I don’t think anybody loves them, myself included. But I’m organizing our next meeting. Got any tips?
我想没有人喜欢开会，我自己也是。但是我正在筹备我们的下一次会议，你有没有什么点子？
L: Well, first, ask yourself why a meeting is necessary, and whether an alternative, such as the circulation of a memo, would serve the same purpose.
这个嘛，首先问一下自己为何要开会，以及是否有达到相同目的的替代方案，像是传阅备忘录之类的。
D: Well, our section has had its budget trimmed, so basically we need to decide how to accommodate the cuts.
嗯，我们这一部门预算被删减了，所以基本上我们必须决定怎么因应这回预算的删减。
L: Alright, your management team is required to make decisions on group issues. That suggests, therefore, that a meeting is necessary. What are you doing to make sure that it will be effective?
好吧，妳的管理团队必须针对有关整个部门的问题做出决定。所以那表示开会是必须的。妳要怎么安排以确保这次会议有效率？
D: I’ve requested input from those who will be at the meeting regarding the agenda. Then I’m going to put the agenda together and distribute it a week before the meeting in order to give all participants time to prepare.
我已经要求与会者针对议程提出提案了，然后我会把议程汇整好在开会一周前分送给他们，好让他们有时间准备。
L: Add the reason for the inclusion of each agenda item. It will help each participant understand their roles and responsibilities at the meeting.
把提出每一项议程的理由也加上去。好让每一位与会者了解自己在会议中的角色与责任。
D: Good idea. I’ll do that. I’ll also inform them of the decision-making method for each item, whether it will be by consensus or majority vote.
好主意，我会这样做。我也会让他们知道每一项议程的表决方式，看是采共识决或是多数决。
Vocabulary
单词发音
tip [tɪp] n. 诀窍;忠告;指导
circulation [͵sɝkjəˋleʃən] n.（货币、消息等的）流通，传播
memo [ˋmɛmo] n. 备忘录
section [ˋsɛkʃən] n. 部门
trim [trɪm] v. 削减，缩减
accommodate [əˋkɑmə͵det] v. 使适应；使相符
request [rɪˋkwɛst] v. 要求，请求
regarding [rɪˋgɑrdɪŋ] prep. 关于；就……而论
inclusion [ɪnˋkluʒən] n. 内含物
consensus [kənˋsɛnsəs] n. 一致看法﹐共识
Sentence of the Day
The meeting will be about making (both) ends meet.
会议目的在于让收支达到平衡。
make ends meet 使收支相抵, 使收支平衡
课文讲解
Larry and Donna continue their conversation about meeting planning: 赖瑞和朵娜继续谈着关于开会的计划：
D: Another thing: as the convener, I’m going to arrange the agenda items strategically, with the easier items first, in order to ensure that they get covered.
还有一件事：身为会议召集人，我会把议程的顺序排得有技巧些，把较容易进行的项目放前面，以确保它们会被讨论到。
L: I understand not wanting to get bogged down on one issue, but be careful. If people sense that the issue they want to address is being delayed deliberately, they might get miffed.
我了解不希望议事因某个议题而陷入空转的安排，但是千万要小心。倘若别人察觉他们想讨论的议题被有意地拖延，他们会生气的。
D: Don’t worry. There’ll be no sleight of hand on my part. And, as the person controlling the direction of the meeting, I’ll be sure to rein in anybody who starts to discuss topics not related to the item at hand.
别担心，我不会耍花样。再说，会议的进行方向是由我掌控的，任何人开始讨论不相干的话题时，我一定会适时制止。
L: Excellent. That’s effective leadership. Also, designate a time limit for each item, then you won’t end up spending thirty minutes on an inconsequential matter that could be dispensed with in ten minutes.
很好，的确是有效率的领导风格。还有，每一项议程都要标明时间限制，这样最后才不会花三十分钟来讨论一件十分钟就能解决的小事。
D: Good idea. I’ve already got a finishing time stated on the agenda. Nobody likes meeting that last for an eternity.
好主意，我已经在每一项议程上注明了结束的时刻。没有人喜欢开没完没了的会。
L: Time limits also get people hustling as the end of the meeting approached. When have you scheduled the meeting for?
设定时间限制也能在促使人在会议即将结束时加快讨论速度。妳把这次会议订在什么时刻？
D: Before lunch. People often experience an energy dip right after lunch.
午餐前，因为午餐后人们通常没什么精神。
L: Speaking of which, care to join me for some?
说到午餐，要不要与我一起去用餐？
D: Sure. It is about that time.
好啊，差不多是时间了。
－by Colin Gread
Vocabulary
单词发音
convener [kənˋvinɚ] n.（会议）召集人
bog [bɑg] down【喻】(使某物)陷入困境不能前进 to impede or be impeded physically or mentally
deliberately [dɪˋlɪbərɪtlɪ] adv. 故意地，蓄意地
miffed [mɪft] adj.【口】略微生气的﹐ 恼火的
sleight of hand (变戏法等的)巧妙的手法 A trick or set of tricks performed by a juggler or magician so quickly and deftly that the manner of execution cannot be observed; legerdemain.
sleight [slaɪt] n. 巧计，手法
rein [ren] v. 驾驭；控制，统治[O][（+in）]
designate [ˋdɛzɪg͵net] v. 指定; 标出；表明
inconsequential [ɪn͵kɑnsəˋkwɛnʃəl] adj. 不重要的; 微不足道的
dispense [dɪˋspɛns] v. 免除[（+with）]
eternity [ɪˋtɝnətɪ] n. 永远，永恒
hustle [ˋhʌs!] v. 催促；赶紧做（某事）
schedule [ˋskɛdʒʊl] v. 将……列入计划（或时间）表
dip [dɪp] n.〔某物数量上轻微的〕减少下降
Sentence of the Day
For managers, it is important to run a tight ship.
对经理人来说，有效率及健全的管理是很重要的。
run a tight ship 严格控制; 管理严格