Delegating responsibility
Carrie: Hi Owen. Can I have a quick word?
Owen: Yeah, sure.
Carrie: I need to talk about the new finance system. I’m going to need your help
sorting out a few things.
Owen: Yeah, I can do that.
Carrie: I was wondering if you could take responsibility for the freelance contracts. We’ve got a huge number of contracts.
Owen: Yeah sure, no problem. So, when do you want me to start?
Carrie: I’d like you to start this job probably as soon as possible. What’s your
workload like?
Owen: I don’t have much on at the moment.
Carrie: So, the deadline for this is the end of the month, so, really I need you to get your part done say 2 or 3 days before the end of the deadline. Then we’ll have time to get on and check a few things.
Owen: Sure. I’ll get on with it at once.
Carrie: Great. If you need anything, you know I’m here.
Owen: Okay, thank you.
Dealing with difficult clients
Hello!
Client: Hello, can I speak to the dispatching office, please?
Flora: You’re through to the dispatching office.
Client: Right. Well, I phoned two days ago to say that I hadn’t received the delivery of my order and I’m ringing again to say it still hasn’t arrived.
Flora: Can I just take your name please?
Client: Yes, it’s Mark Anderson.
Flora: Ah!..I think there was a problem with that order Mr Anderson.
Client: What kind of a problem?
Flora: Let me check for you. Yes, part of the order didn’t arrive here at the depot, so we can’t send it out until we receive everything.
Client: Well, that was your problem to solve the problem without me having to call back, again. I phoned and drew your attention to this a couple of days ago. Look, I placed this order weeks ago. It’s just not good.
Flora: Yah, I’m sorry about this Mr Anderson. I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but I can assure you we’ll do everything we can to send this out to you today.
*What kind of problem?
*Let me check.
*There was a problem with your order.
*I am sorry for the inconvenience.
*I can assure you we’ll do everything.
*to deliver/ delivery/ to place an order/ to send/ to receive
*to solve a problem/ to draw attention to the problem