DOING LUNCH

Narrator:      Last week, Anna got the job of sales executive at Tip Top Trading, thanks

to her quick-thinking in an office crisis. Today it's her first day in the office. How are you feeling now, Anna?

Anna:             Excited, but a bit worried. I really want to make a good first impression.

Narrator:      Well, you're going to need some phrases to introduce yourself politely, such as:

Hello, I don't think we've met.

You must be – and say the person's name. I've just joined the team.

Nice to meet you.

Have you worked here long?

Why don't you start by saying hello to Tom Darcy, the Senior Account

Manager?

Tom:              (On the phone) Yah, yah, no, yah, yah, OK, yah. I'll seal the deal, yah, no worries. OK, see ya mate, bye! (Hangs up)

Anna:             Hello, I don't think we've met.

Tom:              No.

Anna:             You must be Tom. I'm Anna. I've just joined the team.

Tom:              Uh huh.

Anna:             Nice to meet you. Have you worked here long?

Tom:              Sorry, I'm quite busy right now – I've got a big deal just coming through.

But let's get together sometime. Um... can you do lunch tomorrow?

Anna:             You want me to do lunch? Well, I'm not very - (Telephone rings)

Tom:              Sorry, important client. Lunch tomorrow at 12.30 then?

(On the phone) Tom speaking. Yah! Frankie! So what's the latest, are we on?

Anna:             Well, OK then.

Narrator:      Great Anna! You used some nice phrases to introduce yourself. It's a shame Tom thinks he's too important to do the same.

Anna:             I'm sure he's just busy. But I'm a bit worried about tomorrow! (The next day…)

Anna:             (Struggling into the office carrying cooking implements) Good morning

Paul!

Paul:              Good morning Anna, are you OK?

Anna:             Fine, the kitchen's through there, isn't it?

Paul:              Er, yes.

(Kitchen noises as Anna starts preparing lunch)

Denise:          Anna!

Anna:             Oh hi, Denise! Denise:        What are you doing? 

Anna:     Cooking lunch for Tom. Denise:         You what?

Anna:             Tom asked me to have lunch ready for 12.30.

Denise:  Did he indeed? Tom:            Er, Anna. 

Anna:             Hi Tom!

Tom:              What are you doing?

Anna:             Spring rolls, followed by crispy duck in black bean sauce.

Tom:              No, I mean, why are you cooking?

Anna:             Well, if I don't start now, it won't be ready for you by 12.30.

Tom:              Oh, you misunderstood me, Anna. When I said "Can you do lunch?" it

didn't mean "Can you make lunch?" It meant "Are you available to come to lunch with me?" In a cafe or something.

Anna:             Oh!

Paul:               Mmm... something smells good, but what's going on here?

Denise:          Anna thinks it's her job to cook for people!

Anna:             No, no, I misunderstood! 

Tom:      Anna just got a bit confused. 

Paul:  Well, never mind, it looks tasty.

Anna:             There's enough for everyone if you want some.

Paul:               I think that's a splendid idea, we can have an office picnic!

Anna:             Yes!

Paul:               Mmm, that sauce looks delicious.

Anna:             Yes, it's my favourite.

Narrator:      Well, once again everything has worked out well for Anna! Before we go, a reminder of the phrases she used:

Hello, I don't think we've met. You must be Tom.

I've just joined the team. Nice to meet you.

Have you worked here long?

Narrator:      Just remember - if somebody says "Would you like to do lunch?" they're not usually expecting you to cook for them! Goodbye.

Listening comprehension question What is Tom’s job title at Tip Top Trading? Senior Account Manager.

ENGLISH AT WORK: THE BUSINESS TRIP LANGUAGE FOR CLINCHING THE DEAL

Anna:             (At the airport) Tom, could you let go of my hand?

Tom:              Sorry, it's just I get nervous flying.

Anna:             Well, we've landed in Marseille now so you're safe… oh, I like your passport photo.

Tom:              Oh do you?

Anna:             I didn't know your middle name was Stanley.

Tom:              After my great-great-grandfather.

Anna:             Really? Come on we need to get a taxi. Taxi! Taxi!

Narrator:      Hello again. Anna and Tom are on a very important business trip to try and sign a deal to sell their plastic fruit to a company in France. The company has received a better offer so Anna needs to convince them that Tip Top Trading's lemons are best. Are you feeling confident Anna?

Anna:             Not really. It was OK speaking to them on the phone but seeing them face- to-face is quite scary.

Narrator:      You'll be fine. Stay calm. They'll be pleased you've taken the time to fly out and see them – but tell them you're grateful for their time and recap what you told them on the phone.

Anna:             Oh yes – beat the price of the competitor but get them to make a bigger order.

Narrator:      Yes. If they order more you can offer a bigger discount. Good luck.

Tom:              Oh look, we're here now. Now Anna, I hope you don't mind me saying, but just leave the talking to me. Right?

Anna:             Err, well…

Tom:              Oh, Madame Brown, ciao, great to see you

Trader:          What?

Anna:             Monsieur Brown. Bonjour. I'm Anna from Tip Top Trading. This is my colleague Tom. Thank you for sparing the time to see us.

Trader:          No problem. Did you have a good flight?

Tom:              It was great. I love those little bottles of wine they give out… I kept a few with me if you fancy a glass of vin rouge?

Anna:             I think we should sit down and discuss business.

Trader:          Of course.

Tom:              Yeah, yeah, good idea.

Anna:             Now, I believe Tutti Fruity has offered you a good price but as I said on the phone, we can beat that.

Trader:          Yes you did.

Tom:              Did you Anna?!

Anna:             But to get this price you've got to buy lots more.

Narrator:      Anna! That's not very subtle. You need to convince them they need to buy more without telling them they have to.

Tom:            What she means is our Imperial Lemons are made with our unique laser curve technology. They are hard wearing and a joy to have on display in any shop window or restaurant.

Anna:             Tom, that's amazing!

Tom:              I read it on the back of the box!

Anna:             So, we really feel that we have a product that you'll be proud to display.

And to get this fantastic price you just need to place an order of 10,000.

Tom:              And we can even throw in a free sample of our new Perfect Peach range.

Anna:             Each lemon comes with a satisfaction guarantee. I know you won't be disappointed.

Trader:          Hmm. It sounds good. OK, I think you have a deal.

Narrator:      Good work Anna. Don't forget to ask him to sign the contract and tell him when he can expect the order to be delivered.

Anna:             OK. I would be grateful if you could just sign the contract. We'll get the lemons to you as quickly as we can. Tom, do you have a pen?

Tom:              Erm, no actually. It was in my bag yesterday but it's gone… it was a nice, a good one too.

Trader:          No problem. I have a pen. (signs the contract). There you go.

Anna:             Thank you. It was a pleasure doing business with you. We'll get those lemons to you in two weeks' time.

Trader:          Perfect!

Narrator:      Good work Anna…oh and Tom too. The contract is signed but now you have to deliver what you've promised. There are many ways to clinch a deal; here are some of the phrases Anna used…

Thank you for sparing the time to see us.

Each lemon comes with a satisfaction guarantee - I know you won't be disappointed.

I would be grateful if you could just sign the contract. Thank you. It was a pleasure doing business with you.

Narrator:      So it's been a successful day. It's time for Tom and Anna to fly back to

London and tell Paul the good news… or is it?

(Back at the airport)

Anna:             Oh no look, our flight to London is cancelled! It's the last one today. What are we going to do?

Tom:              Well, I guess we're just going to have to stay here for the night. I'll sort out a hotel.

Narrator:      Until next time. Bye!

 Listening Challenge

What does Tom offer to throw in as part of the deal with the company in France?

(Answer: a free sample of our new Perfect Peach range)