Business english lesson 2 solving problems / решение проблем

1 Two friends meet and talk about someone's new job. Follow their conversation and answer the questions.

a What is the relationship between Eddie (the man) and Fiona (the person with the new job)?

b How does Eddie feel about the new job?

2 Complete the dialogue using the questions in the box.

• Does it involve long hours?

• Does it mean a lot of travelling?

• Does she enjoy it?

• Does she have to work weekends?

• How much holiday does she get?

• What does it involve?

• What's she doing?

WHAT'S IN A JOB?

A Hi, Eddie. How are you?

B Oh hello. Jennie. I'm fine. And you?

A Fine, thanks. How's Fiona?

B Oh, she's okay. She's got a new job.

A Really, that's good.

B Well, yes. I suppose so, but I'm worried she's w orking too hard.

A Oh dear, a)Does it involve long hours? _..

B Officially 40 hours, but she often works late. We don't see her at home much.

A b) …________________________________

B It's the same company - you know - educational software - but she's now Regional Marketing Manager for western Europe.

A Sounds impressive, c) ____________________

B Apart from being in charge of the sales reps, she's also involved in new product development and the whole marketing strategy of the company.

A d) __________________

B It seems to. At least a couple of trips a month.

A I see.

B I don't mind that. It's the weekends that cause problems,

A e) _____________________________

B Not every weekend, but we can never make plans.

A Oh dear, f) ____________________________

B It's not bad. Three weeks a year. But that's a long way off.

A You're being a bit negative, g) _______________________________

B It's hard work, but I think she enjoys the challenge.

A But you're not very happy.

B I'm happy for her. The money's good, and it's great for her career, but there is a downside.

A: Well, it's always difficult at the beginning. Anyway, give her my regards. Why don't we go for a drink

sometime?

B Okay, I will, and yes. I'd like that.

3 Work with partner. Ask questions as in 2 to complete your chart.

4 Ask your partner similar questions about their job or the job of someone they know.

5. Complete the list of possible telephone frustrations using verbs in the box.

call get(x4) listen play put repeat return take transfer

a They irritating music when you're put on hold.

b You cut off in the middle of your call.

c People you call a long time to answer,

tl Thev vou on hold and torget about you.

e You an answer phone.

f They you to another person and you have to your enquiry,

g They don't _ properly to what you are saying.

h You continually __ _ an engaged tone when you someone.

1 People don't your calls.

j You .... through to a voicemail system.

- With a partner or your teacher, decide which of the problems in 1 are the five most frustrating.

6. Answer the questions with a partner.

a What percentage of all sales enquiries do you think begin on the telephone?

1)25% 2)50% 3)90%?

b for what type of companies might effective use of the telephone be especially important"

c How main calls do you estimate an average telephonist answers in a year?

I) 30,000 2) 300,000 3) 3,000.000

d What kinds of things do telephone receptionists need to be good at?