B U SI N ES S R ESU L T S Y S TEM

UPPER INTERMEDIATE
LEVEL

TRAINING COURSE UNIT 1

CLASS 04-24-16
(students) STUDENTS
CLASS SAVE FILE
 Useful expressions
1 Exchanging contact details
Asking for details

Useful Business Practically Case Outcomes - you can

terms for communicati study Let me take your name and number
practical on skills speaking
Can I have (your) name / number /
speaking email address?
exercises Whats the best way to contact
you? I have an email address for
you but Im not sure if its current.
rewarding, Exchanging Exchanging Making talk about first Can you text me your
stressful, information contact business impressions business card? Giving details
Introducing details introduce yourself
challenging, Let me give
yourself by connections by email
varied, you / Heres my card.
email make a follow-up Thanks, and heres mine.
professionalism
Making a call
reputation, Ill send you my contact
follow-up call arrange to meet a details by text.
innovation, Arranging to business contact You can call /
worthwhile, meet exchange contact reach me on
dull details Heres my email address.
talk about your The one above is my business
work and email. I check it regularly so please
company use that one.
Learning objectives in this unit
Talking about first
impressions
Introducing yourself by email
Making a follow-
up call
Arranging to meet
Exchanging contact
details
Talking about your work and company using
present simple or continuous
________________________
Case study
UNITS GRAMMAR SUPPORTING
CONCEPTS
Present simple
Use the present simple
1 to talk about routines
I usually arrive at work at about 8.30.
2 to talk about thing we think of as permanent
I work for IBM.
3 to talk about states
Paris lies on the River Seine.
4 (with future reference) to talk about
timetabled events. The next train leaves at 11.15.
5to talk about future time
introduced by when, as soon as, after, if, etc. When I see Margaret
tomorrow, Ill give you a ring.
Common phrases used with the present
simple are: as a rule, generally (speaking), on the whole, once (a week / in a
while), every (winter), most of the time.
Present Continuous
Use the present continuous
1 to talk about an action happening at the moment of
speaking Mr. Takashi is waiting for you in Reception.
2 to talk about a project that is ongoing and
unfinished. I am writing a report on the takeover,
and I should finish in a few days.
3 to talk about things we think of as
temporary I am staying with my brother
while my house is being redecorated. 4 to talk about a gradual change or
development. Because of global warming sea
levels are rising slowly. 5(with future reference) to talk
about an appointment or arrangement I am seeing Mrs. Langer
next Tuesday. Common phrases used with the
present continuous are: currently, for the moment, at the moment, for the
time being, tomorrow (afternoon), right now.
Stative verbs
Verbs that describe states rather than actions are normally only used in
the simple form, i.e. verbs of thinking (e.g. know, agree) , verbs of
appearance (e.g. look, seem), feeling (e.g. prefer, want), possession (e.g.
own, belong), the senses (e.g. taste, sound). Some stative verbs can
sometimes be used in the continuous form, but with a change in meaning.
simple: I see the Eiffel Tower on my way to work.
continuous: Im seeing Bob on Monday (= I am meeting Bob)
 Tip supposedly and apparently Responding to a telephone call
Use supposedly when a Yes, I remember.
Thanks for responding so quickly.
fact is proven and to add an element
Thanks, I wanted to speak to you
doubt to the claim. Supposedly podcast
about ...
advertisements will be the front
Arranging to meet
runner over the next four years.
I suggest we
Use apparently to meet to discuss things further.
quote or repeat something you have When would you like to meet?
heard from someone else. We can meet ...
Apparently a recent Fine,
study shows a huge increase in whatever's best for you.
Lets say, provisionally, Tuesday the 13th at 11:00.
advertising.
Key expressions Discussing travel arrangementsIll get my
Introducing self (email) assistant to be
Youll calltraveling
you later in from
today to ..., wont you?
confirm.
My names ... and I (have / work for / See youCan (in ayou
represent ...) couple of weeks)
tell me how I get to ...? Is it best
I was given your details by ... by taxi or public transport ? Let me
(She) recommended you know where are you staying and Ill email you
to me as ... Making a follow-up call a map and directions from your hotel.
Hello ... This is ... Theres a train that
Im calling about the email leaves at ... Will I have time to catch that one?
I sent you regarding ... It only takes ... to
I wondered if youd had time to ...? get to ... Let me know if
I wanted to see if you are still you need a taxi and Ill book one for you.
interested in ...
Working with words | Talking about first impressions
1 Read this text and answer
questions 1-2. 1 Is any one factor more important
than others for a companys image? 2 What else does a company
operating internationally need to think about?
Impressions
A companys image is like an orchestra. No
single instrument is responsible for an orchestras success or failure. Likewise,
the image that a company projects is not based on a single business card, glossy
brochure or fashionable display, but on the total impression created by all of
these things and more. There are many intangibles that can be critical, like the
reputation you have, your principles and professionalism, your creativity,
and even the warmth of an initial welcome.
For a company to come across well internationally, it also needs to
consider the culture of its client or customer. A Finn might take an instant dislike
to
extravagance, a Ghanaian might prefer innovation to tradition, a Qatari might
put personal rapport before anything else. Images can
create a negative impression or a positive feeling in a few seconds. If you get it
right, that favorable first impression will help in building a successful business
relationship.
 2 Read the text again and answer questions 1-2. 1
What are the instruments that the text mentions? 2 What is
the meaning of intangibles in a business context? What others could
you add to those in text?
3 Match the words in bold in the text in 1 to these definitions.
1 something that is expensive or wasteful: ___________
2 the ability to produce something using imagination or
artistic skills: _________ 3 a high standard of skill and behavior:
____________ 4 friendly
understanding: _____________
5 new ideas or methods: _____________
6 the views generally held about
something or somebody: ___________ 7 a way of doing
something that existed for a long time: ___________ 8 Strong
beliefs that influence actions: ________________
 Exchanging information | Introducing yourself by email |
Making a follow-up call | Arranging to meet
1 Read this email from Ivan Formanek, owner of a translation
agency in Prague.
1 How did he find out about Sean McFee? Why is he
contacting him ? 2 Why is he contacting him?
3 What does he ask Sean to do?
To: sean.mcfee@sfdesign.com
From: ivanformanek@sspeaking.cz
Subject: Designer for new website needed
Dear Mr. McFee
My
names Ivan Formanek and I have my own translation agency - Simple
Speaking. I was given your details by one of your former colleagues,
Ursula Vladikova. She recommended you to me as we are planning to
renew our website.
If you are interested in discussing this further, could you
either call us or send an email in reply and we will arrange a meeting for
you? Best regards
Ivan
Formanek
To Keiko Ohashi
From Carl Leach
Subject Design Em 1015
__________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms Ohashi
duvets - edredones / futon - futones
I
I am emailing you after I was given your name by your colleague, Kisaburo Onda, at the
World Furnishings Exhibition in Frankfurt. My name is Carl Leach and I am the Marketing
Director at Markson Now, a UK company that sells duvets, sheets, and futon furnishings in
the UK and Europe. We are keen to expand our range of futon products and Mr. Onda
recommended you to me as the person in charge of futon development at EM 1015.
I wonder if you would be interested in discussing work on our planned new range of futon
furnishings for release next year?
If you are interested in discussing this further, please contact me using the details below. In
the meantime, please find attached our current catalogue in PDF format which will give you
an idea of our current business activity.

Yours sincerely

Carl Leach
Audio 02 Sean sends an email in reply to Ivan and then calls him.
Listen to the conversation and answer questions 1-3.
1 What is the purpose of the call?
2 What is the outcome?
3 Why is there a delay before the meeting take place?

1 Its a follow-up call to the email Sean sent to Ivan.

2 They arrange to meet to discuss things further.
3 Ivan is going to be in Berlin the day after tomorrow.
 3 Match 1-7 to a-f to make phrases.
a the email I sent you regarding ...
1 Im calling about ... _______ b to look through the portfolio I
2 Yes, sent ... c remember.
I ... _____ d best for you.
3 Thanks for ... e responding so
______ quickly. f to discuss
4 I wondered if youd
things further. g
had time ... ___
Tuesday the 13th at 11.00.
5 I suggest we meet ... _____
4 02 Listen again
Fine, whatevers ... _____
and
6
check your answers.
7 Lets say, provisionally ...
____
Audio script 03
5 Put the phrases in 3 into these categories.
a Making a follow-up call: ______________ b
Responding to a follow-up call: ____________ c
Arranging to meet: ______________ 6
03 Listen to a call an receives and answer questions 1-3.
1 Who is calling Sean and why? 2 How will Sean
know how to find Simply Speaking?
3 What transport is he going to
use? 7 03 Listen again.
1 What phrase
does Sean use to a enquire
about transport? b refer to
the time of the train? c discuss the
possibility of catching the train?
2 What phrase does Catherine use
to offer help with
a directions?
b a taxi?
 8 Think of a situation in your own job where you have to
introduce yourself to a company or client. Draft an
introductory email. Give the email to your partner.

Tip | actually and

currently
Dont confuse actually with to
in fact or as a matter of fact.

Im actually going to be
in Prague already.
Use currently to express
something you are doing at
the moment.
Were currently updating our
corporate image.
Practically speaking | Exchanging contact details
1 04 Listen to three conversations and answer questions 1-
2 for each one.
1 How does speaker 2 give contact details?
2 What means of communication is speaker 1 likely to
use to contact speaker 2 again?
2 04 Listen again. Put these phrases into categories a-d.
1 I have an email address for you but Im not a Asking for details: ___________
b Giving details: _________
sure if it's current. c Checking details: _________
d Promising details:
2 Heres my email address. ________
3 Let me take your name
and number. 4Ill send you her contact
details by text. 5 Can I have Suzy's
number and email address? 6 The one above is
my business email. I check it
regularly so
please use that one. 7 Here
s my card.
3 Work in groups of four. Exchange your details with each other.
Do this in as many different ways possible. Refer to useful
phrases below.
5 Work with a partner. Describe your own job using the words below.
fun varied challenging routine depressing stressful
glamorous worthwhile rewarding dull demanding

6 Work with a partner. Tell each other some information about

your job . Use the phrases and words given below as a guide.
Example: A I
work twelve hours a day. B Twelve hours a day?
What do you do?
5 Work with a partner. Use the phrases in 4 to make true
statements about your activities in and out of work.
6 Give a short presentation about your company using these
points.
1 The industry as a whole
how important it is and whether it employs a lot of
people any changes taking place at the moment
future developments
2 Your company
where it is based and what it does
current projects and future plans
what customers like about the company
Language at work Present simple and present continuous
1 Read these extracts from audio 02 and 03. a Im
calling about the email I sent you. b Yes, I remember.
c Were currently updating our corporate image.
d I go to Berlin once a month. e It only
takes 20 minutes to get to the station. f Im leaving the day after
tomorrow. g Theres a train that leaves at 3 oclock.
h We can meet when I get back. I Im
covering for a colleague whos on maternity leave.
In which extract is the present simple used to refer
to 1 a routine? ____ 2
something always or permanently true? ____ 3 a thought / feeling /
reaction rather than an action? ____ 4 an item on a timetable? ____
5 the future after a time word? ____
In which extract is te present continuous used to refer to 6 an
action in progress at the moment of speaking? ____ 7 a current
(unfinished) project? ____ 8an arrangement in the future?
____ 9 a temporary situation? ____
2 You want to find out information from someone you meet for the first
time. What questions would you ask? who they work
for the department or area they work in their responsibility at
work a current project they are involved in their daily routine
what their schedule is next week how their English studies are going
how regularly they need English at work
these phrases would you normally use with the present simple and
which with the present continuous? for the
moment at the moment generally speaking for the time being
on the whole tomorrow afternoon once a week most of the time
every winter right now once in a while as a rule currently

5 Work with a partner.

Use the phrases in 4 to make true statements about your activities in
or out of work.
6 Give a short presentation about your company using these points.
1 The industry as a whole
how important it is and whether it employs a lot of people
any changes taking place at the moment future
developments 2 Your company
where it is based and what it does
current projects and future plans what customers like
about the company
Making business connections
Background
Business networking with BNI
BNI
is a business referral network which works as a
word-of-mouth promotion tool. When companies
join BNI, their representatives attend a local /
regional group which holds regular breakfast
meetings. At the meeting, members are required to give a 60-second
speech - telling the other participants what type of business connections
they are looking for and any other information that is helpful for generating
more business. The meeting agenda is standardized throughout the world.
There is time for members to present their company, hear about success
stories within the BNI network, and pass on their contact details. The
benefits of this type of cross promotion are clear. Business people who
attend the meeting can refer their business associates to someone they
meet at the meeting. Or two members may forge a business relationship
- a supplier / client relationship or a synergy.
Example of networking success: a printer joined BNI and got to know a
real estate company. This company was dissatisfied with its current
printer and decided to switch to the printer it met through the BNI group.
As a result, $100,000-worth of business was handed over to him!
Discussion
1 Why might a company join a network like BNI? What are the
main advantages of the network?
2 What would you say about your company in a 60-second
speech?