Getting closer

Here we provide some key phrases and expressions you might need for deciding on a solution.

9. Moving to a solution

Sam: We’re going to have to look at the options that are realistic. We’ve collected a lot of suggestions. I’d like to explore a couple of ideas further. Sue, in your opinion, if we moved out of the city,

what would be the biggest downside for us?

Sue: OK, let’s keep the facts in mind. The commute. The new people expect to work in the centre. They might not be happy if you move away.

Jo: We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. What else?

Sue: It’s also not that cheap.

commute , Arbeitsweg We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. , Kommt Zeit, kommt Rat.

10. Thinking it through

Sue: If you want to be close to public transport, it will be almost as expensive. That might be counterproductive.

Jo: Clearly. It’s simply not viable, for so many practical reasons. Don’t forget, our customers like to visit us. They’re key stakeholders. Sam: Let’s avoid making any assumptions right now. Sue, can you give me some background on this?

Sue: I’d have to sift through the data.

Sam: We should look at their needs. Maybe this area is more central for them. We need to put ourselves in their shoes.

Jo: So, let’s talk to them. I’ll set up a focus group.

counterproductive , kontraproduktiv put oneself in sb.’s shoes , sich in jmds. Lage versetzen sift through sth. , etw. durchgehen viable , machbar

11. An innovative solution?

Sam: We need to step back and look at this from another perspective. Not only that, I believe we need a solution that covers all aspects.

Tracy: What are you thinking? Sam: We stay here and allow everyone to work from home more often. In my opinion, this is the perfect way out.

Jade: That’s bold!

Jo: I’m also convinced that this is the best way forward because it meets all the success criteria. Tracy: It’s not ideal, but maybe it’s the best we can do in the circumstances.

circumstances: in the ~ unter den/diesen Umständen ,

12. Try it out

Sam: It’s a win-win situation, don’t you think?

Tracy: It would seem so. You’ve made a compelling case, but how do we know it will work out? Sam: I suggest that we run a small-scale pilot test with our current employees.

Jo: Who will participate? And how do we measure our success?

Sam: That’s something we can discuss tomorrow. Go home and put your thinking caps on again.

pilot test , Pilot-, Modellversuch put one’s thinking cap on ifml. , scharf nachdenken small-scale , klein, in kleinem Maßstab work out , hier: gelingen, funktionieren