Business Conversation 36 مکالمه بازرگانی

Deliveries and Suppliers

Susan: Doug, can I talk with you for a moment?
Doug: What can I do for you Susan?

Susan: I’m concerned about the delays we’re experiencing with some of our suppliers.
Doug: We’re doing everything to get back on schedule.

Susan: Could you give me an approximate timeline?
Doug: A number of deliveries are arriving tomorrow. Unfortunately, this time of year is often troublesome.

Susan: That’s not good. We can’t make excuses to our clients. Are all shipments affected?
Doug: No, but it is summer and some companies are cutting back until September.

Susan: Where are most of our suppliers located?
Doug: Well, most of them are in China, but there are a few in California.

Susan: How does that affect deliveries?
Doug: Well, there are weather delays and shipment delays due to reduced production. Sometimes, larger packages are delayed because of a bottleneck at the distribution point.

Susan: Is there any way around these delays?
Doug: Well, we often work with delivery services such as UPS, Fed ex or DHL for our most urgent shipping. They guarantee door-to-door deliveries within 48 hours.

Susan: Are they expensive?
Doug: Yes, they’re very expensive at that cuts into our bottom line.

Key Vocabulary

delay
supplier
to get back on schedule
timeline
delivery
shipment
to cut back
to make excuses
increased / reduced production
package
bottleneck
distribution point
bottom line
to cut into

Business Conversation 35

Tomorrow’s Meeting

Alice: We’re having a meeting tomorrow. Can you make it?
Kevin: When is it taking place?

Alice: We’re planning on 10 o’clock. Is that OK?
Kevin: Yes, that’ll be fine.

Alice: We’re going to go over last quarter’s sales figures.
Kevin: Good. I have some input I’d like to make.

Alice: Frank is also going to make some suggestions on improving the bottom line.
Kevin: That’ll be interesting. He’s got keen insights.

Alice: Yes, he’s going to outline some new sales strategies.
Kevin: Is Alan attending?

Alice: No, he’s flying to San Francisco and won’t be able to make it.
Kevin: Oh well, maybe He’ll phone in.

Key Vocabulary

to make a meeting
to take place
sales figures
quarter
bottom line
insight
strategy
to phone in

Business conversation 34 مکالمه بازرگانی

Placing an Order

on the telephone

Jane Tegal: Hello, this is Jane Tegal from Excellerator Co. calling. May I speak to Mr. Mitchell?
Arthur Mitchell: Hello Ms Tegal, this is Arthur Mitchell.

Jane Tegal: Hello, I’d like to place an order for a number of your Millennium desk units.
Arthur Mitchell: Certainly. How many were you interested in ordering for purchase?

Jane Tegal: Quite a few. Do you have many available in the warehouse?
Arthur Mitchell: We keep a large supply in stock. There’s also a showroom with quite a few on hand. It shouldn’t be a problem.

Jane Tegal: Well then. I’d like 75 units by the end of the month. Could I get an estimate before place an order?
Arthur Mitchell: Certainly, I’ll have it for you by the end of the day.

Jane Tegal: What does the estimate include?
Arthur Mitchell: Estimates include merchandise, packaging and shipping, duty if required, any taxes and insurance.

Jane Tegal: Do you ship door-to-door? 
Arthur Mitchell: Certainly, all shipments are door-to-door. Delivery dates depend on your location, but we can usually deliver within 14 business days.

Jane Tegal: Thank you for your help.
Arthur Mitchell: My pleasure. You can expect an e-mail by 5 this afternoon.

Key Vocabulary

unit to place an order
warehouse
to purchase
to be available
supply
in stock
showroom
to be on hand
estimate
door-to-door shipping
to depend on something
location

Business conversation 32 مکالمه بازرگانی

WebVisions Conference

Robert: I’m going to Portland on Thursday. There’s a internet expo on. It’s called WebVisions.
Alice: What is the schedule like?

Robert: As soon as I arrive, the keynote speech begins.
Alice: … and after that?

Robert: When the keynote ends, we’ll have two hours to check out the booths.
Alice: Are you making any presentations?

Robert: No, I’m just attending this conference. 
Alice: Is Tad Wilson presenting?

Robert: No, but he’s giving a workshop on Monday.
Alice: When are you coming back?

Robert: I’m flying back on Saturday morning.
Alice: Remember you are meeting with Trevor on Monday morning at nine o’clock sharp!

Robert:Oh, thanks! I forgot about that …
Alice: Have a good trip!

Key Vocabulary

expo
schedule
keynote speech
to check something out
booth
presentation
to attend
workshop
at X o’clock sharp 

Business Conversation 30 مکالمه بازرگانی

Discussing Ideas at a Meeting

Chairman: I’d like to open today’s meeting. Robert?
Robert: First, I’ll quickly go over the main points of the last meeting.

Chairman: …. (finishes) , if no one has anything to add, let’s move on to today’s agenda.
Robert: I suggest we each give a little background on the suggestions we discussed last week.

Chairman: Could you repeat that, please?
Robert: Let’s start by going over the research you’ve done on the suggestions.

Chairman: You’ll find most of the information outlined in the summary documents in front of you.
Robert: These figures are interesting. It’s clear to me that customer communications are not working as they should.

Chairman: Yes, our marketing efforts really haven’t been effective to date.
Robert: I suggest we break up into groups and discuss how we can improve our message.

Chairman: Unfortunately, we’re almost out of time. I suggest you submit your ideas on marketing and we can discuss the best next week.
Robert: Before we close, could we quickly discuss the Armstrong situation?

Key Vocabulary

to open a meeting
to go over
main points
to add something to a discussion
agenda
to move on
to give some background
outlined
summary documents
figures
communications
marketing efforts
to date
to break up into groups
out of time
to close a meeting 

Business Conversation 29 مکالمه بازرگانی

Happy Shareholders

Director: Can we go over some figures please?
Assistant: Yes, our shareholders’ meeting is soon. I think it’d be a good idea to review the key numbers.

Director: What has our total outlay been this year?
Assistant: Our expenditures are estimated at $4,320,000.

Director: What percentage is that is research and development?
Assistant: About 27%. We’ve invested heavily in developing some new technologies.

Director: What is our gross operating profit?
Assistant: Approximately 1.4 million.

Director: What kind of margin does that represent?
Assistant: The gross operating margin is at 24% for the year.

Director: That’s impressive. That’s up from last year, isn’t it? About 10 points I think.
Assistant: That’s right. We’re solidly in the black. As a matter of fact, this is our fifth year straight.

Director: Shareholders will be happy.
Assistant: They should be! This kind of growth in the current market is remarkable.

Director: Hopefully the shareholders won’t veto any further R & D allocation. 
Assistant: I think they trust the board to continue doing the right thing.

Key Vocabulary

figures
shareholders
key numbers
outlay
expenditure
R & D – Research and Development
gross operating profit
margin
gross operating margin
to be up
in the black – in the red
remarkable
to veto
allocation
the board