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In today's Business English episode we’re 
talking about the art of negotiation.

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Now, negotiating looks 
different in different cultures.

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But, today we’re going to 
look at the first two steps  

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and language must-haves to negotiate 
within a British cultural context.

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So, to start off with, you 
have to take step number 1:

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Learn the gentle art of small talk.

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Don’t get down to business straight away.

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Morning, morning, so I’ll give 
you £200 for 10 garden gomes.

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That approach is just going to frighten people,  

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and make everyone feel uncomfortable.
Rather, you need to break the ice.

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Hi, lovely day today isn’t it? 
I thought it was going to rain. 

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I know, we should conduct this meeting 
outside, although apparently it’s not  

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going to last. My app says it’s going 
to rain in 10 minutes and 20 seconds.

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Or

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Hi
Hello, welcome! Before we start,  

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would you like a cup of tea and some cake?
Yes please, oh my goodness, you’ve read my mind! 

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This cake is just amazing, did 
you, did you make it this morning? 

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Oh that’s very kind of you, no, no, no, it’s just 
Marks and Spencers, but they’re good aren’t they?

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The best small talk is on topics that aren’t  

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controversial. Never talk about things 
that people feel too emotional about,

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for example, politics, finances, 
whether you love or hate Marmite.

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The best and most comfortable small talk 
is when you talk about everyday things.  

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Food, travel, the weather.

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Once you’ve covered the appropriate subjects for 
small talk, you need to take step number two:

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Open negotiations reluctantly.
I’m sorry, you’re not there to negotiate, they're  

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not there to negotiate, who’s here to negotiate?
You all are. 

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After 10 minutes of tea, cake, talking about 
whether you should bring your umbrella to work  

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tomorrow, you can shift into the, 
'let’s get down to business' gear.

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Do me a favour, take a pen and paper 
and write down these sentences.

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'I suppose we’d better get 
started. Does anyone mind?' 

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'If no one objects, shall we 
take a look at the agenda?' 

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'Would anyone like more tea 
before we get cracking?'

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Remember, you need to make it sound 
like you’re having such a good time  

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and the last thing you want 
to do is start negotiations.

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Cue step number three:

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Make your proposal.

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But I won’t talk about it in this video.  

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If you want to read about the 6 language 
must-haves to negotiate in English,  

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read the blog linked to above.
You’ll be selling gnomes in no time!

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We have so much Business English 
language knowledge and skills that  

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we want to share with you so make 
sure you subscribe to this channel,  

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because a lot more videos are going 
to be coming your way very soon.

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If you want to improve your 
business English language skills,  

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click on the link in the description and it will 
take you to the English Online website where you  

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can have a look at our courses that are designed 
to specifically help you with Business English.  

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To read the full blog, the link is also in 
the description. See you next time, bye!