1. Ознакомьтесь с информацией о том, как договориться о встрече. Дополните инструкцию своими рекомендациями. Ответьте на вопросы после текста по модели.

How to Set Appointments

Set Appointments

Appointments can be crucial to operating and maintaining any type of business. If you are in sales, you will need to set appointments with both current and potential customers. If you are in the medical or behavioral health field, you need to schedule appointments that fit your clients' schedules as well as your own. No matter what type of business you are running, learning the best methods by which to set appointments will help your business run more smoothly.

Instructions

• Determine how much time needs to be blocked out for each appointment. This will allow you to check your calendar for appropriate days and times according to your current schedule.

• Offer two or three specific dates and times for the appointment. If there are several time slots available, offer the first few that work best for you.

• Be as flexible as possible. If a client or customer is only available later in the day or first thing in the morning but you currently have no slots available, try to reschedule another scheduled activity to accommodate them.

• If you have large blocks of time available throughout the week or month, ask clients or customers if they have a date or time preference. They will appreciate the fact that you value their time.

• Make confirmation calls the day before to remind the client or customer of the time, date and location of the appointment and confirm that they still plan to meet with you.

(By Tielle Webb, eHow Contributor)

Questions:

How do you usually set appointments with your friends? Do you follow all the instructions described?

2. Прослушайте запись разговора по телефону на сайте http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/business/talkingbusiness/unit1telephone/4appointments.shtml и ответьте на следующие вопросы, выбрав правильный ответ:

1) Where is Brian Hibberd?

1. in a meeting

2. on holidays

3. on a business trip

4. at home

2) When is it convenient for Mr Jefferson to have the appointment?

1. 5.15 next Wednesday

2. 4.15 next Wednesday

3. 4.15 next Monday

4. 4.15 this Wednesday

3) How long are Hibberd’s holidays?

1. one week

2. two weeks

3. one month

4. three weeks

3. Прослушайте диалог упражнения 2 и заполните пропуски:

Michelle: Mr Hibberd’s office!

Peter: Hello, can I speak to Brian Hibberd, please?

Michelle: I’m afraid he’s in …. until lunchtime. Can I take a message?

Peter: Well, I’d like …. …. to see him, please. It’s Peter Jefferson here.

Michelle: Could you hold on for a minute, Mr Jefferson. I’ll just look in the diary. So when’s … for you?

Peter: Some time next week if possible. I gather he’s away the following week.

Michelle: Yes, that’s right, he’s on holiday for a ….

Peter: Well, I need to see him before he goes away. So would next Wednesday be okay?

Michelle: Wednesday . let me see . he's out of the office all morning. But he's free in the afternoon, after about three.

Peter: Three o'clock is difficult. But I could make it after four.

Michelle: So shall we say … … next Wednesday, in Mr Hibberd's office?

Peter: Yes, that sounds fine. Thanks very much.

Michelle: Okay, then. Bye.