#95 Renting a Car｜English Travel Phrases
Izumi English Morning
#88 Working with Partner Companies｜English Business Phrases
Izumi
When working with external partner companies in English, it is important not only to exchange information but also to demonstrate a cooperative attitude as equal partners.
To do so, you need to clearly and politely communicate project progress, request role assignments, and confirm next actions.
In this article, I explain practical English expressions that are useful when collaborating with partner companies, along with realistic conversation examples.
Contents
Dialogue
Thank you for joining us today. I’d like to discuss how we can move the project forward together.
Of course. I’m happy to go over the next steps with you.
As of now, we’ve completed the initial design, and we’re ready to move on to development.
That sounds good. What would you like us to focus on first?
We’d appreciate it if your team could handle the backend integration.
Understood. We’ll review the requirements and get back to you by Friday.
Great. Let’s stay in touch and share updates regularly.
1. Starting a Discussion with a Collaborative Mindset
When speaking with a partner company, it is important to emphasize cooperation rather than giving instructions or making one-sided requests.
Example
- I’d like to discuss how we can move the project forward together.
Using the structure “how we can ～ together” clearly shows that the discussion is based on collaboration, not a unilateral request.
Related Expressions
- How can we best collaborate on this project?
- I’d like to align on the next steps.
The verb “align” means “to bring understanding or direction into agreement” and is commonly used in initial meetings and regular check-ins with partner companies.
2. Sharing Project Progress
To ensure smooth collaboration, it is essential to share the current status of the project.
Example
- As of now, we’ve completed the initial design, and we’re ready to move on to development.
The phrase “as of now” means “at this point in time” and is well suited for progress updates.
Following it with “we’re ready to ～” clearly indicates that the project is prepared to move to the next stage.
Related Expressions
- We’ve finalized the specifications.
- We’re currently reviewing the requirements.
- We’re almost ready for the next phase.
3. Requesting Role Assignments Politely
When asking a partner company to take responsibility for a task, it is important to avoid direct commands and use polite request expressions.
Example
- We’d appreciate it if your team could handle the backend integration.
The expression “would appreciate it if ～” is highly formal and conveys respect and consideration.
Related Expressions
- Would it be possible for your team to ～?
- Could you support us with ～?
These expressions are especially appropriate in business emails and meetings with external partners.
4. Clarifying Next Actions
To keep collaboration smooth, it is important to clearly state the next steps and timelines.
Example
- We’ll review the requirements and get back to you by Friday.
The phrase “get back to you” means “to contact you again” and is commonly used when internal review or consideration is required.
To conclude the discussion in a collaborative manner, you can add a sentence like the following:
Example
- Let’s stay in touch and share updates regularly.
This helps reinforce an ongoing partnership.
Summary
Key English Phrases
- I’d like to discuss how we can ～ together.
→ A positive way to start a discussion based on collaboration. - As of now, we’ve completed ～.
→ A useful phrase for sharing current project progress. - We’d appreciate it if you could ～.
→ A polite and formal way to make requests to partner companies. - We’ll get back to you by ～.
→ A clear way to state next actions and deadlines.
