- •1)The definition and purposes of business letters
- •2) Strategies used in business correspondence
- •3) Why is it important to analyze the audience you are writing to?
- •4) The main types of business letters and their description.
- •5) Business letter components and their characteristics
- •6) What are the formats of business letters? What are the differences between them?
- •7) What are the main rules for successful business letter writing? Characterize each of them.
- •8) What are seven c’s that you should follow?
- •9) What is memo? What differs a memo from a business letter?
- •10) The format guidelines for memos and the types of memos?
- •11) The sales letter and its job?
- •16) The resume and two basic resume designs
- •17) The sections of a resume and their characteristics
- •18) Why do we need letters of recommendation?
- •19) What’s the role of a cover letter? What are the principles for writing a successful Cover letter?
- •20) What are the sections in a successful cover letter?
- •21) What shouldn’t you say explaining why you left the left the previous positions? How to explain why you are applying for the position?
- •22) Letters of inquiry and their types
- •24) Replies to inquiry and their contents
- •25) What should be mentioned in quotations?
- •26) Types of discounts
- •27) Main incoterms describe them
- •28) Offers, their types and parts
- •29) Counter-proposals. What terms might you not agree to?
- •30) Orders and their types and contents
- •31) What is an order usually accompanied by?
- •32) The reason for refusing an order
- •33) What is a complaint, its objective and scope?
- •34) The rules for writing complaints
- •35) What may complaints arise from?
- •36) What are the parts of complaints? Characterize them.
- •37) Adjustment letters and the rules for writing adjustments
- •38) The parts of adjustment
- •39) Reasons for rejecting complaints
28) Offers, their types and parts
The offers generally fall into two categories: the firm (binding) offer and the offer without engagement.
A firm offer is made by the seller to one potential buyer only. Usually the time during which it remains valid is indicated. If the buyer accepts the offer in full during the stipulated time, the goods are considered to have been sold to him at the price and on the terms stated in the offer.
An offer without engagement may be made to several potential buyers and the goods are considered to have been sold only when the seller, after receipt of the buyer's acceptance, confirms having sold him the goods at the price and on the terms indicated in the offer.
Parts of offers
1. Exact quantities, measurements, weights.
2. The quality of the goods (chemical analysis, perfor¬mance, material, brand, etc.).
3. The method of transport, if there are several possi¬bilities.
4. The exact date of delivery or time of delivery (e.g.: Our articles will be delivered ex works by the 30th May, .... Delivery can be effected six weeks after the receipt of your order, etc.).
5. The terms of payment, for instance:
• payment in advance,
• cash payment,
• payment by letter of credit (L/C),
• document against payment (D/P),
• payment on receipt of goods,
• payment with clearing agreement.
6. The currency in which payment is to be effected, the bank with which you work, the place of payment, etc. should be stipulated.
7. The terms of delivery define what the price actually includes and stipulate the mutual obligations of the seller and the buyer. The most usual terms of delivery are F.O.B., F.O.R., C.I.F., C.&F. and others.
29) Counter-proposals. What terms might you not agree to?
When a customer deems prices too high, he can write a counter-proposal. Then he will give the seller his reasons why the price should be reduced. He supports his points by submitting the prices or offers of competitors which are lower than those demanded by his present supplier.
Customer and exporter may not agree in terms of prices, discounts, methods of payment, transport and insurance costs, terms of delivery.
30) Orders and their types and contents
All the types of correspondence considered so far were directed towards one aim – the order.
The objective of an order is to provide detailed instructions to a vendor fulfilling it. It is also serves as a legal document recording the transaction.
Many companies use order-sheets (order-forms, order-notes, indents). These are printed forms, numbered consecutively and usually containing instructions as to time and place of delivery, make-up, packing, marks, mode of sending, insurance, etc. Your intentions need to be clear and concise. The reader will fill your order only according to your instructions and your satisfaction will depend largely upon their accuracy.
31) What is an order usually accompanied by?
Orders are usually accompanied by a covering letter. A covering letter is preferable as it allows you the opportunity to make any necessary points and confirm the terms that have been agreed.