Introducing Yourself in a Remote Product Team Meeting.

You join Northbank Digital on a Monday morning. The team is distributed, the calendar is full, and you need to sound confident quickly. In this lesson you practise introducing yourself in a remote product team meeting, explaining what you work on, and signalling how you like to collaborate. You will also do a short baseline diagnostic: a mini stand-up update and a short written ticket comment, so you can see what is already strong and what tends to slip under pressure. The model input is a realistic meeting snippet plus a follow-up Slack message. You will notice how B2 speakers keep their introductions clear without oversharing, and how they invite questions in a friendly way. You then build a small toolkit of phrases for role, responsibilities, and availability. Your end task is to produce two work artefacts: a 30-second spoken introduction and a short Slack post that helps the team know where to find you and what you are working on.

1. Joining the Monday video call at Northbank Digital.

Right, welcome to Northbank Digital. It’s Monday morning, the team’s on a video call, and you’re new. In this lesson you’ll practise a confident, natural introduction that gives people exactly what they need: who you are, what you work on, what you own, and how to work with you. The key is to sound clear and calm, not like you’re reading your CV, and not like you’re apologising for taking up time. In a moment you’ll listen to a short meeting snippet. While you listen, don’t worry about catching every word. Focus on three things: how the speaker starts, how they describe their focus for the next couple of weeks, and how they invite questions. Those three moves are what make an introduction feel professional in a remote-first team. After the audio, you’ll answer a few comprehension questions. Then we’ll build your own introduction step by step.

Today’s situation.

You’ve just joined Northbank Digital. The team is distributed and busy, and you’re meeting Product and Engineering for the first time on a video call.

Your goal by the end of this lesson is simple and very practical:

• You can introduce yourself clearly in a remote meeting (role + what you work on + what you own/support).
• You can handle one or two follow-up questions without getting flustered.
• You can write a short Slack intro message that helps the team know where to find you.

What “good” sounds like at B2.

A strong introduction is not long. It’s usually 20–40 seconds and it answers the questions people actually have:

1. Who are you? (Name + team)
2. What do you work on? (area: backend, frontend, API, data, SRE, QA)
3. What’s your focus right now? (next couple of weeks)
4. How should people collaborate with you? (tag me for X, happy to jump on a call)

Listen for these phrases.

In the meeting snippet you’re about to hear, notice how the speaker uses short, reusable lines:

• “Hi everyone, I’m … and I’ve just joined the team.”
• “I’m working mainly on the … side.”
• “My focus for the next couple of weeks is …”
• “If anything touches …, feel free to tag me.”
• “Happy to jump on a quick call if it’s easier.”

These phrases work because they are informative, not too personal, and they invite collaboration without sounding needy.

Your micro-task in this block.

After you listen, you’ll answer a few quick questions to check your understanding of the situation and the key language moves.

Practice & Feedback

Listen to the short meeting snippet and answer the questions below in 2–5 short sentences.

1. What is the speaker’s role and main area (frontend/backend/API/etc.)?
2. What is their focus for the next couple of weeks?
3. How do they invite the team to work with them?

Write your answers as plain text. Don’t worry if you can’t quote the exact words; paraphrasing is fine. Try to use at least one phrase from the list on the screen (for example: “My focus for the next couple of weeks is…”).

2. Building your introduction: role, ownership and focus.

Now let’s turn that model into a toolkit you can reuse in real meetings. The biggest mistake engineers make when introducing themselves is being either too vague, like “I work on various things”, or too detailed, like giving a mini architecture tour. What your team needs is a clean headline: your area, your ownership, and what you’ll be focusing on right now. In this block we’ll organise your introduction into four lines. Think of it as a quick template you can adapt: greeting and name, main area, current focus, then an invitation to collaborate. I’ll also show you a couple of slightly different ways to phrase the same idea so you don’t sound robotic. Then you’ll write your own 4-line version. Keep it realistic for a first meeting: confident, friendly, and not too long.

A simple 4-line structure (reusable).

When you’re new, structure gives you confidence. Here’s a meeting-friendly structure you can rely on:

1. Greet + name + context
2. Area (what you work on)
3. Focus (next couple of weeks)
4. Collaboration hook (how people should work with you)

Model lines (mix and match).

Below are options you can swap in and out. Notice how each line is short and specific.

What to avoid (and what to do instead).

If you say: “I do a bit of everything.” you sound helpful, but people still don’t know when to involve you.

Try instead:

• “I’m working mainly on the backend and API side.”
• “I’ll be the point of contact for anything that touches billing.”

If you say: “I’m not sure yet.” it can sound uncertain.

Try instead:

• “My focus for the next couple of weeks is getting up to speed on … and then picking up …”
• “I’m still getting context, but my current priority is …”

Mini checklist for your intro.

A strong intro answers at least three of these:

• Area (frontend/backend/data/SRE/QA)
• Ownership (point of contact for X)
• Focus (next couple of weeks)
• Availability (time zone / typical hours)
• Collaboration (tag me / happy to jump on a call)

In the next activity, you’ll draft your own version using this structure.

Practice & Feedback

Write your own 4-line meeting introduction for Northbank Digital. Imagine you’re speaking on a video call.

Requirements:

• Keep it to 4–6 sentences (around 40–70 words).
• Include: (1) greeting + name, (2) your main area, (3) your focus for the next couple of weeks, (4) one collaboration line (tag me / quick call / point of contact).
• Use at least three phrases from this lesson (for example: “I’m working mainly on…”, “My focus for the next couple of weeks is…”, “feel free to tag me…”).

Write the exact words you would say. Sound friendly and professional, not overly formal.

Useful phrases you can reuse.

• “Hi everyone, I’m [Name] and I’ve just joined the team.”
• “I’m working mainly on the [frontend/backend/API] side.”
• “My focus for the next couple of weeks is …”
• “I’ll be the point of contact for …”
• “If anything touches [area], feel free to tag me.”
• “I’m based in … and I’m usually online from …”
• “Happy to jump on a quick call if it’s easier.”
• “Let me know if you’d like me to share more detail.”

3. Handling follow-up questions without oversharing.

In real meetings, your introduction is rarely the end. Someone will usually ask a follow-up question, especially in a remote-first team where people can’t pick up context by sitting next to you. The good news is you don’t need complex English. What you need is control: short answers, a bit of context, and a friendly invitation for the next step. We’re going to practise a very common pattern: someone asks what you own, what you’re focusing on, or how available you are. Your job is to answer clearly and then close the loop, for example by saying people can tag you, or you’re happy to jump on a quick call. You’ll read a short Q and A from a call, then you’ll do a chat-style simulation where you answer as the new joiner. Keep your answers crisp and professional.

Why follow-up questions matter.

A confident introduction makes people comfortable asking questions. That’s a good sign: it means the team wants to integrate you quickly.

At B2 level, the skill is not “use fancy vocabulary”. It’s:

• answering directly (no long story),
• giving one useful detail,
• and offering a clear next step.

Mini Q and A patterns (copy these).

Here are natural, meeting-friendly patterns that sound collaborative:

Question: responsibilities

• “What will you be owning day to day?”

Answer options:

• “I’ll be the point of contact for the billing API.”
• “I’m working mainly on the backend side, especially billing and invoicing.”

Question: priorities

• “What’s your focus this sprint?”

Answer options:

• “My focus for the next couple of weeks is onboarding and picking up a few small bug fixes.”
• “At the moment, my priority is getting the billing service stable.”

Question: availability

• “Which time zone are you in?”

Answer options:

• “I’m based in London and I’m usually online from nine till five UK time.”
• “I can overlap with US East in the afternoon if needed.”

A useful closing line.

To avoid an awkward ending, add one closing line:

• “If anything touches billing, feel free to tag me.”
• “Happy to jump on a quick call if it’s easier.”
• “Let me know if you’d like me to share more detail.”

Your practice in this block.

First, read the short meeting Q and A below and notice how short the answers are.

Then you’ll answer as if you were in the meeting, in a quick chat format. Aim for 2–3 sentences per message.

Practice & Feedback

Read the short Q and A from the meeting. Then continue the conversation in a chat style.

Write three chat messages as you (the new engineer). Keep each message to 2–3 sentences.

Situation: You’ve just introduced yourself on the video call. Two colleagues ask follow-up questions. Your job is to:

• answer clearly,
• add one helpful detail,
• and close with a collaboration line (for example “feel free to tag me” or “Happy to jump on a quick call…”).

Use at least two phrases from the lesson chunk bank across your messages.

Meeting chat transcript (read first).

Leah (Engineering Manager): Welcome, Sam. Quick one: what will you be owning day to day?

Sam: I’ll be the point of contact for the billing API, and I’ll support any work around invoicing.

Tariq (Product Manager): Great. And what’s your focus for the next couple of weeks?

Nina (QA): Also, which hours are you usually online?

Your turn.

Reply to Tariq and Nina, then add one final message to the group to invite collaboration.

4. Posting a short Slack introduction after the call.

After a first meeting, it’s very common to post a quick Slack message so people can find the key information again later. This is especially important in remote teams: not everyone is in the meeting, and even people who were there may forget details. A good Slack intro is not a biography. It’s a practical message that helps the team collaborate with you. Think of it as a mini reference card: your name, your area, what you’re focusing on, and how to contact you. You can also add your time zone and typical hours, because that prevents a lot of friction. In this block you’ll read two example Slack intros: one that’s too long and one that’s just right. Then you’ll write your own intro message for the channel in a tone that sounds confident and natural.

Slack intro: what it’s for.

A channel intro is a small message with a big effect. It reduces repeated questions like “Who owns this?” and “Who should I tag?”. It also sets a friendly tone without turning into small talk.

Example 1 (too much information).

This message is not wrong, but it’s heavy and hard to scan:

> Hi everyone, I’m Alex. I’m really excited to join! I’ve worked in software for 10 years across many industries. I love clean code and microservices. In my last job I led a team of 8 people and built lots of things. I’m passionate about learning and I’m happy to help with anything. Please reach out anytime!

Why it doesn’t work well:

• too general (“happy to help with anything”),
• not actionable (no clear area/ownership),
• doesn’t tell the team what to do next.

Example 2 (clear and actionable).

This is the style you want:

> Quick intro in the channel: I’m Sam and I’ve just joined Northbank Digital as a backend engineer.

> I’m working mainly on the billing service and the API.

> My focus for the next couple of weeks is onboarding and picking up a few small bug fixes.

> If anything touches billing or invoicing, feel free to tag me.

> I’m based in Manchester and I’m usually online 09:00–17:00 UK time. Happy to jump on a quick call if it’s easier.

A “just right” template (copy/paste).

You can reuse this template and swap out the details:

• Quick intro in the channel: I’m …
• Area: I’m working mainly on …
• Focus: My focus for the next couple of weeks is …
• How to work with me: If anything touches …, feel free to tag me.
• Availability: I’m based in … and I’m usually online from …

In the activity, you’ll write your own Slack intro. Keep it short enough that someone can read it in 10 seconds.

Practice & Feedback

Write a Slack introduction message for the team channel at Northbank Digital.

Requirements:

• Length: 60–110 words.
• Start with a clear opener (for example: “Quick intro in the channel: …”).
• Include: your role + area (frontend/backend/API/etc.), your current focus, one collaboration line (“feel free to tag me”), and your availability (city/time zone or typical hours).
• Keep the tone friendly and professional. Avoid vague lines like “I’m happy to help with anything” unless you make it specific.

Write the exact message you would post. Use at least three phrases from the chunk bank.

Reference phrases for your Slack post.

• “Quick intro in the channel: I’m …”
• “I’m working mainly on the … side.”
• “My focus for the next couple of weeks is …”
• “If anything touches …, feel free to tag me.”
• “I’m based in … and I’m usually online from …”
• “Happy to jump on a quick call if it’s easier.”
• “Looking forward to working with you all.”

5. Baseline diagnostic: a mini stand-up update.

Let’s do the first part of your baseline diagnostic. Even though today’s lesson is introductions, your real day-to-day life includes stand-ups, and the language overlaps: being concise, being clear about priorities, and making it easy for others to help. A good stand-up update under time pressure has a simple structure: what you did since yesterday, what you’ll do today, and whether you’re blocked. At B2, the challenge is often not vocabulary, but choosing the right level of detail. You want enough context that people understand, but not so much that you turn stand-up into a meeting. In the activity, you’ll respond to a short stand-up question as if you’ve just joined and you’re onboarding. I’ll then give you feedback on clarity, tone, and how actionable your update is.

Why we’re doing this diagnostic.

When you join a new team, people listen carefully to how you communicate in short updates. A clear stand-up style makes you sound organised and dependable.

This is a diagnostic, so don’t aim for perfection. Aim for clear structure and actionable information.

A stand-up structure you can rely on.

Use this three-part structure:

1. Since yesterday, I’ve… (1–2 items)
2. Today I’m planning to… (1–2 items)
3. Blockers / needs: “I’m currently blocked by…” or “I could use a quick hand with…”

Level of detail: “just enough”.

Compare these two versions:

Too vague

• “I worked on onboarding. Today I’ll continue. No blockers.”

Just enough

• “Since yesterday, I’ve set up the repo locally and gone through the billing service README. Today I’m planning to reproduce the invoicing bug in staging and add a small regression test. I’m currently blocked by missing access to the staging logs. If you have five minutes later, could you help me get access?”

Notice what improves it:

• specific nouns (repo, README, staging, logs),
• a clear next step (reproduce the bug, add a test),
• a specific request (access to staging logs).

Helpful phrases (from our course toolkit).

• “Since yesterday, I’ve…”
• “Today I’m planning to…”
• “I’m currently blocked by…”
• “I could use a quick hand with…”
• “If you have five minutes later, could you…?”

In the activity, you’ll write your own mini stand-up update in this exact structure.

Practice & Feedback

Write a mini stand-up update as if you are new to the team and currently onboarding onto the billing service.

Requirements:

• Length: 45–80 words.
• Use the 3-part structure: Since yesterday… / Today… / Blocker or request…
• Include at least one specific request (even if you’re not truly blocked). Make it realistic for a new joiner, e.g., access, context, confirmation, or a quick call.
• Use at least two of these exact starters: “Since yesterday, I’ve…”, “Today I’m planning to…”, “I’m currently blocked by…”, “If you have five minutes later, could you…?”

Write as if you’re speaking on the call: clear, calm, and to the point.

6. Final performance: your intro plus a short ticket comment.

Let’s finish by bringing everything together into two work artefacts you can genuinely reuse: a short meeting introduction and a concise ticket comment. In real life, these often happen on the same day. You introduce yourself on a call, then you immediately start interacting in tools like Jira. For the ticket comment, the skill is similar to the Slack intro: be short, specific, and helpful. You want to show what you’ve done, what you’ll do next, and when you’ll update again. As a new joiner, it’s also fine to be transparent about what you’re still learning, as long as you phrase it confidently: “I’m getting up to speed on…” rather than “I have no idea.” In the activity you’ll write two things: first, your 30-second intro script; second, a short comment you would add to a Jira ticket to show progress and ask for one piece of information. I’ll correct and upgrade both.

Your two final artefacts (capstone for this lesson).

You’ll produce:

1. A 30-second meeting introduction (script)
2. A short Jira ticket comment (progress + next step + one question/request)

These are extremely common outputs in international engineering teams, and they signal that you’re organised and easy to work with.

1) Meeting introduction: quick quality checklist.

Before you write, check you include:

• Greeting + name
• Main area (frontend/backend/API/etc.)
• Near-term focus (next couple of weeks)
• Collaboration line (tag me / point of contact / quick call)
• Optional: time zone/hours

Aim for clear and confident, not perfect.

2) Jira ticket comment: what “good” looks like.

A useful comment answers three questions:

• What did you do? (progress)
• What will you do next? (next step)
• What do you need? (question / request)

Here’s a model comment you can adapt:

> I’ve started looking into this and I can reproduce the issue in staging.

> Next step is to check the logs around the payment retry flow and confirm the expected behaviour.

> Quick question: do we have a preferred success metric for this fix (for example error rate or latency)?

> I’ll post an update once I’ve looked into it.

Notice the tone: calm, factual, and forward-looking.

Language bank you should reuse.

Try to use several of these:

• “Just to give you a bit of context…”
• “My focus for the next couple of weeks is…”
• “I’ll be the point of contact for…”
• “If anything touches …, feel free to tag me.”
• “I’ll post an update once I’ve looked into it.”
• “Happy to jump on a quick call if it’s easier.”

Now write your two artefacts in one submission.

Practice & Feedback

Write two items in one message.

A) Meeting introduction script (40–80 words).

Imagine you’re speaking on a video call. Include your name, your area, your near-term focus, and one collaboration line. Optional: time zone/hours.

B) Jira ticket comment (45–90 words).

Context: There is a ticket titled “Billing API: intermittent 500s on invoice creation”. You’re new, you’ve started investigating, and you need one piece of information from the team (for example expected behaviour, logs access, recent deploy info, or reproduction details).

Use at least five phrases from the lesson chunk bank across the two items (you can repeat none or one). Keep both pieces professional, clear, and actionable.

Chunk bank (pick and reuse).

• “Hi everyone, I’m [Name] and I’ve just joined the team.”
• “I’m working mainly on the [frontend/backend/API] side.”
• “My focus for the next couple of weeks is…”
• “I’ll be the point of contact for…”
• “If anything touches [area], feel free to tag me.”
• “I’m based in [city] and I’m usually online from…”
• “Happy to jump on a quick call if it’s easier.”
• “Just to give you a bit of context…”
• “Let me know if you’d like me to share more detail.”
• “Quick intro in the channel: I’m…”
• “I’ll post an update once I’ve looked into it.”