1.6. Пунктуальность(Be Punctual)

Who is more successful - Mr. King or Mr. Ward? Who is more impressed - Mr. Minor or Ms. Green? Whose time is more important - Mr. Minor's or Mr. Ward's? What should Mr. Ward do after the meeting? What should Mr. Ward do before the next meeting? Are you more like Mr. King or Mr. Ward?

How about you? Use these adverbs to answer the questions.

Always Usually Sometimes Never

1. Are you punctual?

2. Are you on time for your class?

3. Are you on time for your supervisor?

4. Are you late for a train departure?

5. Are you late for a meeting with your friends?

6. Arc you on time for a meeting with your boss '

Business Hint: Add extra time before an appointment.

It's better to wait for a client than to keep a client waiting. ^ . ^

Sometimes you are late. If you arc late, apologize. Say you are sorry and give an excuse.

Situation:

Ann Downs is George Arno's boss. A.D.: You're ten minutes late.

G.A.: I'm sorry. The lift was out of order. I had to walk up 12 flights.

Practice apologizing and giving excuses with your classmate.

A: You're ten minutes / half an hour/one hour late. В: I'm sorry. The bus broke down. / The plane was canceled. /The train was late. / There was an accident.

There are two kinds of reasons for being late:

^reasons within your control = YOUR fault "reasons outside your control = NOT YOUR fault

The only excuse for being late for a business appointment is something out­side your control.

Which of these reasons for being late are your fault? (Yes/No/Maybe)

1. My alarm clock was broken.

2. It was raining.

3. The bus broke down.

4. 1 forgot what time it was.

5. My watch stopped.

6. My watch is slow.

7. I lost the address.

8. I missed my train.

9. I couldn't find a taxi. 10.1 overslept.

When someone is late, you become worried about the person or even angry at that person.

When someone tells you he/she will be late, you are usually more patient. You will forgive the person for being late.

Situation:

A is B's boss. В is calling from his car phone.

A: Where are you? The meeting starts in 10 minutes.

В.: I'm in my car. There is an accident on the street. I'm sorry, I'll be

late. I'll be there as soon as I can. A.: Don't worry about it. We'll start the meeting without you. Thanks for calling.

Business Hint: In a business situation, you should always accept an apology graciously.

READING INVITATIONS

You are cordially invited to a presentation by

Mr. Ronald Preston

on

New Marketing Strategies

Date: Monday, June 4

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Place: Conference Room, 2'"'floor

You are cordially invited to a reception for

Mr. James Reynolds

Date: Thursday, March 28 Time:6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Place: Executive Dining Room

t Answer the following questions about invitations

1 and 2:

WRITING AN APOLOGY

Business idioms and expressions:

I was unavoidably detained = I was late, because I could not get away. This is a polite and very common excuse.

Situation:

Joan Hughes arrived very late at Mr. Preston's presentation. She apologized to Mr. Preston in a short note.

From the desk of Joan Hughes Dear Mr. Preston,

I am very sorry I arrived late for your presentation. I was unavoidably detained. Again, my sincere apologies.

Sincerely yours,

Joan Hughes.

Situation:

Max Wood arrived late at Mr. Gray's seminar. Apologize in a note to Mr. Gray.

'^ШШЩШ/ЩЩЩ

чх ^Ii / f J- A*

• Leave early to be sure you are not late.

• Allow extra time.

• Call to reschedule.

• Apologize if you are late.

• Accept apologies from other people.

What you need for success in business 0 1.7. Профессионализм(Be Prepared)