Business English Podcast · Meetings & Status Updates · Episode 12

Raising a Risk Without Causing Panic

A project manager flags a supplier risk to his programme director — early, factual, and with solutions ready.

B2 · Dialogue · 4 Min. · free

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Editorially reviewed by James Simmonds – English teacher since 2004Published 29 August 2026

SceneBefore the steering committee, Tobias asks his programme director Richard for ten minutes: warning signs are piling up at the packaging supplier. How do you report that — without setting off alarm bells?

0:00 / 4 Min.

Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test. · Worksheet (PDF)

✓ To the comprehension test

Tobias — Project manager, product launchRichard — Programme director

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Transcript

The full transcript opens after the comprehension test — so you train real listening instead of reading along.

German support

RichardTobias, you asked for ten minutes before the steering committee. What's on your mind?

TobiasThanks, Richard. I'd like to flag a potential risk with the packaging supplier — early, while it is still small. To be clear from the start: the project itself is fully on track.Ich möchte frühzeitig auf ein mögliches Risiko hinweisen – das Projekt selbst liegt voll im Plan.

RichardGood framing — you have my attention without my adrenaline. Go on: what have you seen?

TobiasWe have noticed two warning signs. Their last two deliveries arrived just inside the deadline instead of the usual week early, and their project lead has been replaced twice in three months. Each signal on its own could mean anything. Taken together, they suggest the supplier may be under financial pressure. I spoke to a contact in their industry association — it is a sensible topic, so I kept the questions general.Zusammengenommen deuten sie darauf hin, dass der Lieferant unter finanziellem Druck stehen könnte.

RichardA sensitive topic, you mean. Sensible means reasonable — sensibel and sensible are false friends. But go on: what did your contact say?„Sensible" heißt vernünftig – „sensibel" heißt auf Englisch „sensitive".

TobiasSensitive, thank you. The rumour in the industry is that they have lost their second-largest customer. Nothing confirmed, but it fits the pattern we are seeing.

RichardUnderstood. How serious would it be for us if they actually failed?

TobiasIn the worst case, a delivery failure in November would delay the product launch by four to six weeks. The probability is low in my view — perhaps twenty per cent — but the impact would be high, so it belongs on the risk register.Die Wahrscheinlichkeit ist gering, aber die Auswirkung wäre groß – deshalb gehört es ins Risikoregister.

RichardAgreed. What do you propose we do about it?

TobiasThree mitigation steps. First, we qualify a second supplier now — that costs roughly three thousand euros and four weeks. Second, we increase our safety stock of packaging from two weeks to six. Third, I stay in monthly contact with their management, so we get an early warning if things get worse.

RichardSensible steps — in the correct meaning of the word. Now, how do we present this to the steering committee without causing panic?

TobiasFacts first, no drama: what we observed, what it could mean, and what we are already doing about it. And I would open with the good news — the project itself is on schedule.

RichardPerfect. Put it on the agenda as 'supplier risk — under control'. And Tobias — this is exactly how I want risks raised: early, calm, and with options on the table.

Key phrases

to flag a potential risk

to bring a possible problem to someone's attention early

I want to flag a potential risk before it reaches the client.

warning signs

early indications that something may go wrong

Late deliveries and staff changes are classic warning signs.

under financial pressure

in economic difficulty

Several suppliers in the sector are under financial pressure this year.

sensitive

requiring careful handling — the correct translation of German "sensibel"

Supplier finances are a sensitive topic, so ask carefully.

worst case

the most negative realistic outcome

In the worst case, the launch slips by six weeks.

risk register

the formal list of project risks with probability and impact

Every risk above ten per cent probability goes on the risk register.

mitigation

action taken to reduce a risk's probability or impact

Qualifying a second supplier is our main mitigation.

early warning

a signal that gives you time to react before a problem hits

Monthly supplier calls give us an early warning system.

Language notes

In this episode a project manager reports a supplier risk to his programme director: reassurance first, then the facts, then probability and impact, finally three countermeasures. You learn the language of professional risk reporting — and the difference between "sensible" and "sensitive" (level B2).

Reassure first, then raise the risk

Tobias's first sentence contains both: the announcement ("I'd like to flag a potential risk") and the reassurance ("the project itself is fully on track"). This order stops the listener switching into alarm mode before the facts are on the table. The verb "to flag" is deliberately quiet — it means to mark, not to escalate. Opening with "We have a problem" instead triggers exactly the panic you wanted to avoid.

Observation, interpretation, assessment — kept separate

Tobias separates three levels that German speakers often blur: what he observed ("two warning signs"), what it could mean ("they suggest the supplier may be under financial pressure") and how he rates it ("probability … low, impact … high"). Hedging verbs like "suggest", "may" and "perhaps" are not weakness here but precision: they show he distinguishes assumption from fact. That is exactly what makes a risk report credible at B2 level.

Sensibel does not mean sensible

German "sensibel" (delicate, easily affected) is "sensitive" in English — "sensible" means reasonable. A "sensible topic" would be a reasonable topic, which makes no sense in Tobias's sentence. Richard corrects him kindly and later lands the pun: "Sensible steps — in the correct meaning of the word." Remember the pair like this: sensitive data = sensible Daten, a sensible decision = eine vernünftige Entscheidung.

Keep practising: Learn business English online — with real teachers from Simmonds, since 2004.

Frequently asked questions

What language level is this episode for?

Level B2 (CEFR). The dialogue uses nuanced project English with hedging language ("may", "suggest", "perhaps"); all eight key terms are explained bilingually.

How do I raise a risk in English without causing panic?

In four steps: reassure first ("the project itself is on track"), report observations rather than verdicts ("we have noticed two warning signs"), separate probability from impact ("probability low, impact high") and bring ready countermeasures ("three mitigation steps").

What is the difference between "sensible" and "sensitive"?

"Sensible" means reasonable, "sensitive" means delicate or easily affected. German "sensibel" is a false friend: "ein sensibles Thema" is "a sensitive topic", never "a sensible topic".

Where can I practise risk reporting in English live?

In the online business English courses from Simmonds Language Services (englisch-lehrer.com/online): live lessons with real teachers on Zoom, for companies and individuals across Germany — starting with a free consultation.

Is there a transcript to read along?

Yes, the full transcript with German support notes is on this page — listen first, then take the test, then read along.

Want to practise these phrases in a real conversation?

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