{"id":11027,"date":"2023-09-06T16:58:58","date_gmt":"2023-09-06T14:58:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/tips\/direct-and-indirect-questions-in-business-meetings\/"},"modified":"2025-02-25T15:53:52","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T14:53:52","slug":"direct-and-indirect-questions-in-business-meetings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/effective-communication\/direct-and-indirect-questions-in-business-meetings\/","title":{"rendered":"Meetings in English: How to sound diplomatic using direct and indirect questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#0abab5\" class=\"has-inline-color\">How are you? \ud83c\udf1f\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f Welcome to our Conversation Club! Today we discover how the tone of the meeting changes according to the type of questions we use. Did you know that by using indirect questions in English, your communication will be perceived as less direct and therefore more diplomatic and formal? This is just one of the little language tricks that we will analyse together during our conversation. Let&#8217;s begin!<\/mark><\/strong><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0abab5;color:#0abab5\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0abab5;color:#0abab5\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/effective-communication\/direct-and-indirect-questions-in-business-meetings\/#Direct_and_Indirect_Questions\" >Direct and Indirect Questions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/effective-communication\/direct-and-indirect-questions-in-business-meetings\/#Scenario_1_Discussing_Project_Requirements\" >Scenario 1: Discussing Project Requirements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/effective-communication\/direct-and-indirect-questions-in-business-meetings\/#Scenario_2_Budget_and_Time_Constraints\" >Scenario 2: Budget and Time Constraints<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/effective-communication\/direct-and-indirect-questions-in-business-meetings\/#Scenario_3_Delving_into_Client_Preferences\" >Scenario 3: Delving into Client Preferences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/effective-communication\/direct-and-indirect-questions-in-business-meetings\/#After_The_Club_The_Follow_Up\" >After The Club: The Follow Up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#0abab5\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Prepared with love by<\/mark>:<strong> <\/strong>My Personal English Coach<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"410\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Club-Optimisation-410x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10526\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Club-Optimisation-410x1024.jpg 410w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Club-Optimisation-120x300.jpg 120w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Club-Optimisation-768x1920.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Club-Optimisation.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 410px) 100vw, 410px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/inglese-aiuto-per-studenti.jpg\" alt=\"inglese aiuto per studenti\" class=\"wp-image-10405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/inglese-aiuto-per-studenti.jpg 540w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/inglese-aiuto-per-studenti-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/inglese-aiuto-per-studenti-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Helloooo! Just a few words of support for those of you who are starting your experience in our Conversation Club and don\u2019t feel very confident.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t worry, we\u2019re here for you!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you feel that you need it, follow the first piece of advice in the image on the left and review all the language bits we think can be useful for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are your Coaches and we know you well! We know that using Idioms &amp; Phrasal Verbs can be a real challenge, so those are often the language elements we\u2019ll suggest you use \ud83d\ude43<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the preparation (you\u2019ll find both the vocabulary and the conversation questions on this page), we invite you to participate in the Club session. You have received an email with the ZOOM link for the session:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On Tuesdays, the Club takes place from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM, and on Thursdays, from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM. If you haven\u2019t received the access instructions via email, please, get in touch with us:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignfull is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" style=\"background-color:#0abab5\">Contact MPEC <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to practice more after the Club session, you can come back here to do the Follow Up activity (at the bottom of the page).\u00a0<strong>Are you ready? Let\u2019s begin!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Direct_and_Indirect_Questions\"><\/span><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#0abab5\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Direct and Indirect Questions<\/mark><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just in case you needed a quick refresh of what the 2 types of questions are and how we use them &#8211; we&#8217;ve got your back! <a href=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Direct-and-Indirect-questions-in-use-1.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Direct-and-Indirect-questions-in-use-1.pdf\">Download the PDF<\/a> and if you have any questions, don&#8217;t hesitate to get in touch with your Coach or write to MPEC :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/contact\/\" style=\"color:#0abab5\">Write to MPEC<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Direct-and-Indirect-questions-in-use-1.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:200px\" aria-label=\"Embed of Direct and Indirect questions in use (1).\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-38becac3-a659-423d-b0aa-838302ecb301\" href=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Direct-and-Indirect-questions-in-use-1.pdf\">Direct and Indirect questions in use (1)<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Direct-and-Indirect-questions-in-use-1.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-38becac3-a659-423d-b0aa-838302ecb301\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Giving-Instructions-in-English-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Giving Instructions in English\" class=\"wp-image-10673 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Giving-Instructions-in-English-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Giving-Instructions-in-English-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Giving-Instructions-in-English-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Giving-Instructions-in-English-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Giving-Instructions-in-English-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Giving-Instructions-in-English.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Today, the Club session  will be composed of a total of 3 real life business scenarios. For every scenario, choose who you want to be, read the instructions and role play with your partner for approx. 2 -3 minutes (TIP: To sound more polite and diplomatic, use the section: Direct Questions You Can Transform<\/strong>: Each of these direct questions can be transformed into a more polite, less direct one<strong>) <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>After the role play, answer the Check Questions together.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-style-rounded\" style=\"grid-template-columns:27% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10531 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-600x600.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scenario_1_Discussing_Project_Requirements\"><\/span><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Scenario 1:<\/mark> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Discussing Project Requirements<\/mark><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Objective:<\/strong> To extract detailed project specifications from the client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Participants:<\/strong>  Account Manager , Client<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Account Manager&#8217;s Communication Goals:<\/strong>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Establish the client&#8217;s core objectives for the project.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify the key deliverables the client expects.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Client&#8217;s Communication Goals:<\/strong>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Provide clear project objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>State expectations regarding deliverables.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Direct Questions You Can Transform<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;Let&#8217;s drill down into the specifics.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Can you unpack that idea for me?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;What&#8217;s our end game here?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Could you outline the milestones?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Are there any non-negotiables?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Let&#8217;s touch base on deliverables.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;What are your top priorities?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;I&#8217;d like to get your insights on this.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;What&#8217;s the roadmap look like?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Is there room for flexibility?&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Check Questions: <\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Which questions did you transform effectively? Were there moments where you could have used an indirect question but didn&#8217;t? Did you leave the conversation with a clear understanding of the project requirements?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:28% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-2-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10542 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-2-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-2-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-2-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-2-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-2-1-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-2-1-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-2-1-600x600.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scenario_2_Budget_and_Time_Constraints\"><\/span><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-green-cyan-color\">Scenario 2: Budget and Time Constraints<\/mark><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Objective:<\/strong> To clarify the client&#8217;s budget and deadline parameters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Participants:<\/strong> Project Manager , Client<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>PM&#8217;s Communication Goals:<\/strong>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Determine the client&#8217;s budget for the project.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clarify the time constraints.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Client&#8217;s Communication Goals:<\/strong>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Share the available budget.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Specify the deadline.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-green-cyan-color\">Direct Questions You Can Transform<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;Let&#8217;s talk numbers.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;What&#8217;s your ballpark figure?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Is that timeline set in stone?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Do we have any wiggle room?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Could we pencil in a rough deadline?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Let&#8217;s flesh out the financials.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Are there any cost ceilings?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;What&#8217;s our margin for error?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Is that a hard deadline?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Can we earmark funds for this?&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-green-cyan-color\">Check Questions: <\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Did you find it challenging to ask direct questions about sensitive topics like budget? Were you able to negotiate or suggest flexibility in terms of budget or deadline? Do you know the meaning of &#8216;wiggle room&#8217;?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:26% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-3-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"English conversation club\" class=\"wp-image-10540 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-3-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-3-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-3-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-3-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/conversation-club-3-600x600.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scenario_3_Delving_into_Client_Preferences\"><\/span><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Scenario 3: Delving into Client Preferences<\/mark><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Objective:<\/strong> To unearth the client\u2019s stylistic preferences for the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Participants:<\/strong> Creative Director , Client<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Creative Director&#8217;s Communication Goals:<\/strong>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Discover any design styles the client favours.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify any elements the client dislikes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Client&#8217;s Communication Goals:<\/strong>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Communicate preferred design aesthetics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Specify design elements to avoid.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Direct Questions You Can Transform<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;What&#8217;s your design aesthetic?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Any deal-breakers?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Let&#8217;s hash out the look and feel.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;What are your go-to colours?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Is there a vibe you&#8217;re going for?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Are there any taboos in your industry?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Do you have any style guides?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;What&#8217;s your take on branding?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Could you pinpoint some inspirations?&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;What are your no-gos?&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Check Questions:<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Can you see how indirect questions make us sound more polite? What are 3 questions you practiced today that you want to use at work in the future?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-75 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/calendly.com\/spilch\/meet-suzanne-for-35-45-min?month=2023-03\" style=\"background-color:#0abab5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Want to Join the Club? Get in Touch Today!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"After_The_Club_The_Follow_Up\"><\/span>After The Club: The Follow Up<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<p class=\"responsive-video-wrap clr\"><iframe title=\"Speaking: Being polite - how to soften your English\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rQN4-l5AXE0?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Being Polite In English<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>#Fluidit\u00e0Inglese #ApprendimentoInglese #Coaching . #MPEC #languagelearning #bilingualidentity #Englishcommunication #overcomingbarriers #fluency #confidence #personalcoaching #practice #competitiveness #internationalmarket #positiveaffirmations #bodylanguage #vocabularydevelopment #culturalawareness #italiancompanies #trainingprogram #flexibility #individualgoals #coachingprinciples #linguisticidentity #communicationgoals #transformativelearning #italianstudents #learningEnglish #motivation #resilience #selftalk #negativethoughts #languagebarriers #communicationbarriers #formal #informal #formalenglish #soundingformal #formalrequests #acceptingformally <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Direct and Indirect questions in Business English &#8211; how to sound polite and diplomatic during a meeting<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":10822,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ocean_front_end_style_editor":"no","ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"0","ocean_second_sidebar":"0","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"0","ocean_custom_header_template":"0","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"0","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"0","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"0","osh_disable_topbar_sticky":"default","osh_disable_header_sticky":"default","osh_sticky_header_style":"default","osh_sticky_header_effect":"","osh_custom_sticky_logo":0,"osh_custom_retina_sticky_logo":0,"osh_custom_sticky_logo_height":0,"osh_background_color":"","osh_links_color":"","osh_links_hover_color":"","osh_links_active_color":"","osh_links_bg_color":"","osh_links_hover_bg_color":"","osh_links_active_bg_color":"","osh_menu_social_links_color":"","osh_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"off","ocean_gallery_id":[10806],"footnotes":""},"categories":[253,251],"tags":[176,155,139,156,140,111,157,177,178,141,158,180],"class_list":["post-11027","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-team-leadership-en","category-effective-communication","tag-a2-en","tag-b1-en","tag-b2-en","tag-calls-en","tag-cefr-en","tag-communication","tag-conversation-en","tag-idioms-en","tag-instructions-en","tag-level-en","tag-meetings-en","tag-phrasalverbs","entry","has-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11027","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11027"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11027\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10822"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11027"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11027"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mpec.it\/softskills\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11027"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}