Business Conversation 41

A Possible Promotion

Mr. Henri: …I’d like to talk some more about your current job.
Ms Peters: Fine. What would you like to know?

Mr. Henri: You have worked for the Wildlife Fund for three years, haven’t you?
Ms Peters: That’s right. I began working at the Wildlife Fund three years ago.

Mr. Henri: How many positions have you had since you began there?
Ms Peters: I’ve had three different positions. The most recent is as an assistant researcher. I’ve been an assistant researcher since January.

Mr. Henri: You worked as a copy writer before moving onto that position, didn’t you?
Ms Peters: Yes, I did. I was responsible for first drafts of background information.

Mr. Henri: Great. How long have you wanted to become an editor?
Ms Peters: I graduated from Brown in journalism and have dedicated my career to becoming an editor since then.

Mr. Henri: You live here in Seattle, don’t you?
Ms Peters: Actually, I don’t. I currently live in Portland.

Mr. Henri: How long have you lived there?
Ms Peters: I’ve lived in Portland since 1997.

Mr. Henri: You enjoy living in the Northwest, don’t you?
Ms Peters: Yes I do. I’ve lived here my entire life.

Mr. Henri: Right, this job would include a lot of travel. How do you feel about that?
Ms Peters: Oh, I’d love to travel more for my job. I’ve travelled for work since I began my last job and I really enjoy it.

Mr. Henri: Great. I imagine you can use a computer, can’t you?
Ms Peters: Yes, I can. I’ve used a computer for a number of years.

Mr. Henri: Well, thank you very much for coming into today. We’ll let you know by the beginning of next week.
Ms Peters: Thank you Mr. Henri. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you in the future.

Business Conversation 40 مکالمه بازرگانی

Practicing a Presentation

Mike: Anne, can I run the new presentation by you?
Anne: Certainly, I’d love to hear some of the new concepts.

Mike: OK, here goes … On behalf of myself and Sport Outfitters, I’d like to welcome you. My name’s Mike Andersen. This morning, I’d like to outline our new campaign concepts that have been recently developed.
Anne: Excuse me, who was invited to this conference?

Mike: Our sales representatives from our branch offices were asked to come. I think a number of upper-management representatives were also invited.
Anne: That’s good. Our marketing approach is going to be completely revamped.

Mike: And that’s why we need everyone to be informed. So, I’ll continue. You’ll be given the background and I’ll talk you through the results of some of our recent market studies.
Anne: How many surveys were completed?

Mike: I think about 100,000 were returned to the company. Our marketing team was very pleased with the response.
Anne: OK, continue…

Mike: The presentation has been divided into three parts. First, our past approach. Secondly, present changes that will be made. Thirdly, future forecasts …
Anne: That sounds good.

Mike: If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. At the end of this presentation, a short advertisement will be shown to give you an idea of where we are going.
Anne: Good job Mike. I hope your graphics are being put together by Bob.

Mike: Of course they are, you know he’s the best!

Business conversation 39 مکالمه بازرگانی

David: Hello, David Hopkins speaking.

Mike: Hello, this is Mike in sales. Could I speak to Frank please?
David: I’m afraid he’s not available at the moment. Would you like to leave a message?

Mike: I’m calling to put off a meeting we had scheduled for this afternoon.
David: Just a moment, let me take this down. Could I have your name again?

Mike: Certainly, it’s Mike Andersen.
David: Oh, hello Mr. Andersen. This is David Hopkins, we went through next months’ shipping orders together last week.

Mike: Oh, yes. I remember. How are you doing?
David: Fine thank you. Now, you’d like to push back this afternoon’s meeting.

Mike: Yes, if you could ask Frank to give me a call so we can work out another time.
David: OK. That’s fine. Is there anything else I can pass on?

Mike: Well, if you could bring up the upcoming deadline we need to meet.
David: Certainly, I’ll make sure he gets the message. Does he have your extension?

Mike: He should, but I’ll give it to you just in case – it’s 3478
David: ۳۴۷۸ right. I’ll have him get back to you as soon as he gets in. Oh, I see Frank is in his office now, shall I put you through?

Mike: Thanks – and thanks for your help.

Business Conversation 38 مکالمه بازرگانی

Anne: You must be George. Let me introduce myself, I’m Anne.

George: Pleased to meet you Anne. I hear we’re going to be spending a lot of time together.

Anne: Yes, that’s right – we have to get the southwest regional sales department into shape. I’ve been working in the northwest regional sales department up till now.
George: I’d been working on Asian sales before I was transferred here last week.

Anne: Well, it’s a pleasure to have you on board. I know we’ve both been with the company for a long time.
George: Yes, I’ve been involved with Sport Outfitters for over ten years. How about you?

Anne: I’ve been here for about five years now.
George: I’m looking forward to working with you. What were you responsible for in the northwest regional sales department?

Anne: I was in charge of new market research. I also spent a lot of time traveling to our various outlets.
George: Your experience will serve us well as we develop new angles.

Anne: I think we’ll be able to solve most of our problems by concentrating on improved communications and co-operation between our various representatives.
George: What do you think has caused the sudden decline in sales?

Anne: To tell you the truth, I’m concerned about market saturation.
George: I agree. Well, why don’t we meet later this afternoon to discuss the situation in-depth.

Anne: That sounds great. How about meeting at three?
George: Can we make that three thirty?

Anne: Fine, I’ll see you then

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