Business English speaking isn’t a talent — it’s a cycle (and most people skip step one)

Business communication, made brilliantly simple

Learn the 4-step Fluency Cycle that powers confident Business English speaking — and why most people skip the first step.

Want to sound sharp in meetings, emails, or even when arguing with your smart fridge? There’s a cycle for that. Not a washing cycle — a fluency cycle. And once you’re on it, there’s no going back to waffle, jargon, or the dreaded “ummm…”

Let’s break it down — no corporate fluff, just the facts (and a few cheeky metaphors).

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This framework comes from the book Speak-ology: How to Speak with Confidence, Fluency & Eloquence by IDM Law and Marc Roche — a practical guide to mastering fluent, confident business English speaking.

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Step 1: Know your stuff — or zip it

Before you open your mouth, open your mind. Topic knowledge is the first stop on the fluency train. If you don’t understand your subject, you're not just unprepared — you're basically guessing out loud.

This isn’t about memorising Wikipedia. It’s about proper research, making notes, and getting familiar with the big picture and the small print. Whether it’s GDPR or AI, if you can't explain it to a 10-year-old, you probably don’t get it yourself.

“You can’t talk effectively about subjects you know nothing about.”— The Fluency Cycle, Marc Menendez-Roche

Put simply: know it before you show it. This is the foundation of confident business English speaking — and yes, your audience can tell when it’s missing.

Step 2: Think straight — and speak straight

Once the brain's full of facts, it’s time to clean the clutter. This is clear thinking, and it’s harder than it sounds. Your brain might feel like a filing cabinet someone kicked over. The goal? Sort the folders.

When you use plain, precise language to explain what you know — even just to yourself — your thinking clears up like a fog lifting over the Thames.

The result? Decisions come quicker. Messages land cleaner. And you stop sounding like a broken corporate mission statement. This clarity is what separates average speakers from professionals who truly master business English speaking.

Step 3: Say it like you mean it

Here’s the juicy bit: clear speaking. Now that you understand the topic and you’ve thought it through, it’s time to open your mouth — and close the deal.

This is where people usually mess it up. They jump straight to step 3, skipping the brainwork. That’s how you get waffle, buzzwords, and people talking in circles. Sound familiar?

But if you’ve done steps 1 and 2, you’re golden. Your voice matches your thoughts. You’re not just filling the air — you’re commanding it.

And the best part? With this cycle in place, your business English speaking becomes natural, fluent, and persuasive — not forced, robotic, or textbook-like.

Step 4: Talk to yourself (seriously)

Yes, self-talk. It’s not just for mad scientists and motivational speakers.

After you’ve spoken your thoughts out loud, repeat them — not to others, but to yourself. This is where the real magic happens. You refine. You notice things. You spot holes, fix gaps, sharpen points.

In short: you get better.

This is why it’s a cycle, not a staircase. Every time you loop through these steps — understand, think, speak, reflect — you level up. It’s like compound interest, but for your communication skills.

You will get better and better; as long as you continue the cycle, it never ends.

Business English Speaking: Why this cycle works (and why shortcuts don’t)

Most communication tips are just lipstick on a pig — they fix the surface, not the root. The fluency cycle digs deeper. It builds the engine of strong communication.

You won’t need to memorise ‘power phrases’ or copy someone else’s style. Your own voice will be powerful, clear, and clever — because it’s coming from a mind that knows what it’s saying.

Here's a quick video exercise you can complete to review the Speaking Fluency Cycle:

Final thought: fluency is a habit, not a talent

The best speakers, writers and leaders don’t wing it. They build fluency like bodybuilders build muscle — through reps, reflection, and repeat rounds of this four-step process.

So next time you’re writing a pitch, giving a talk, or just trying to win an argument with your cat — pause. Ask yourself:

1. Do I really understand this?

2. Have I thought it through in plain English?

3. Can I say it clearly, out loud?

4. What can I improve next time?

That’s the cycle. Rinse and repeat.

Helping you think smarter, talk sharper, and write like you mean business.

This framework comes from the book Speak-ology: How to Speak with Confidence, Fluency & Eloquence by Marc Roche and IDM Business and Law — a practical guide to mastering fluent, confident business English speaking.

You can get your copy here.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the blog — thank you!

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Smarter English for Business & Law