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Episode 1 - Pleased to Meet You.  In this episode you can learn how to make introductions in a business setting. (Học cách  giới thiệu và làm quen trong các buổi giao tiếp kinh doanh)

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In this episode you can learn how to make introductions in a business setting.

Waiter hands drink to Victor.

VICTOR: Thank you very much

SAM: Hello, I don’t think we’ve met. Sam Eriks.

VICTOR: Victor Tang. Pleased to meet you.

SAM: And what company are you from Mr Tang?

VICTOR: OceanWide. I’m the sales representative for this region.

SAM: Ah yes. I know your company. Your business is expanding very rapidly at the moment.

VICTOR: Yes, we’re doing quite well. And yourself? Who do you work for?

SAM: Actually I work for myself. I’m the C.E.O. of a small export and packaging company. We specialize in seafood.

VICTOR: It’s a growing market.

SAM: Yes, but a very competitive one Mr Tang.

VICTOR: Please call me Victor.

SAM: Sam. Victor, let me introduce you to someone. Lin – this is Victor Tang – he’s the regional rep. for OceanWide. This is Lin Chan, my sales manager.

LIN: How do you do Mr Tang?

VICTOR: I’m very well thank you. Nice to meet you Ms Chan.

LIN: And you.

VICTOR: Can I get you another drink?

LIN: Thank you.

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Notes:



Let's look at introductions.
First – how did Sam introduce himself to Victor – who he didn't know?


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

Victor Tang.
Pleased to meet you.


Sam said hello. We can say hello in most situations. He also said I don't think we've met. This is a good phrase to use if you want to meet someone new. Practice saying Hello, I don't think we've met, and then say your name.

Hello. I don't think we've met…
(your name)

Victor Tang.
Pleased to meet you.


Victor replied by saying his name and pleased to meet you. Pleased to meet you is a good formal greeting for most situations. After Sam introduces himself, say your name, and 'pleased to meet you'.


Hello, I don't think we've met.
Sam Eriks.
(your name)
Pleased to meet you.


And the Western tradition is to shake hands when you meet someone. Usually, when we first meet someone in a business situation, we want to find out what they do - what their job, or position is. Let's see how Victor and Sam do this.


And what company are you from Mr Tang?

OceanWide. I'm the sales representative for this region.
Ah yes. I know your company.
Your business is expanding very rapidly at the moment.

Yes, we're doing quite well.
And yourself? Who do you work for?

Actually I work for myself. I'm the C.E.O. of a small export and packaging company. We specialize in seafood.
Sam asks and what company are you from? There are a few different ways you could ask this question: Let's try some of them:
What company are you from?

Which company do you represent?

What's your line of business?
Now you try answering Sam's question with your own answer, saying what company you are from...
And what company are you from?
I'm from ......
Ah yes, I know that company.
And you can be more specific by asking about someone's job.
Practice these...

And what's your position there?
And what do you do there?

Position means the same as job, but it's a more formal term. Listen to how both Sam and Victor describe their positions:

I'm the sales representative for this region.

I'm the C.E.O. of a small export and packaging company.
We describe our job by saying I am or I'm and then naming the position. Notice that Sam says he is the C.E.O. or Chief Executive Officer of his company.
When someone asks who you work for, it can be useful to also tell them what your job is. When meeting someone, it helps them if you offer information before they ask. This makes the conversation more relaxed. Now Sam is going to ask you who you work for and what your position is - answer his questions with your own answers:

Episode 2 - Why don't you join us? In this episode you can learn how to make, accept and refuse invitations in a business setting. (Học các đưa ra một lời mời, cách chấp nhận hay từ chối)

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In this episode you can learn how to make, accept and refuse invitations in a business setting.


VICTOR: Well, it's been good to meet you Sam, and very interesting to hear about your business.

SAM: Look, we are having a small dinner for some of our clients and friends after this. Why don't you join us?

VICTOR: That's very kind of you. I'll just check with my associate whether they have other arrangements for us.

SAM: Your associate is most welcome to join us too.

VICTOR: Thankyou - excuse me.

WALTER: This is Sam Eriks from Eriks imports. He has very kindly invited us to a dinner.

SAM: Yes, would you like to join us?

WALTER: Unfortunately I have another engagement, but thankyou for the invitation.

SAM: Well, perhaps you could join us after that for a drink?

WALTER: Sounds great. I'd be happy to. Where shall we meet?

SAM: How about the lounge bar here. At about ten?

WALTER: I'll see you then. Excuse me.

SAM: Lin. Victor's joining us for dinner.

LIN: Oh wonderful.

VICTOR: I hope you don't mind.

LIN: Of course not, you're most welcome.

SAM: Well, shall we make a move?

LIN: Would you mind if I just say goodbye to a few people?

SAM: No problem - we'll see you outside in a few minutes.

LIN: Okay.



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Let's look at invitations. How do you go about inviting someone to something. How does Sam invite Victor to his dinner?
Look, we're having a small dinner for some of our clients and friends after this. Why don't you join us?

Spoken invitations in this kind of situation are semi-formal. It's more like a suggestion than a formal invitation. There are a few different phrases you can use. Practise them with Sam.
Why don't you join us?

Perhaps you could join us?

It would be great if you could join us.

Would you like to join us?

Notice that even though 'It would be great if you could join us' is not in a question form – it is still being used as a question. Notice also how we use 'could' and 'would' in polite invitations, not 'can' or 'will'. How does Victor reply?
That’s very kind of you.
He says ‘ That’s very kind of you.’
When replying to an invitation, first thank the other person for the invitation, then give your answer. Here’s Victor with some different ways of doing this…

Thankyou.

Episode 11 - Can I Help You? We look at how to make business calls. You can watch the video or just listen to the audio.  (Cách gọi điện trong kinh doanh)

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We look at how to make business calls. You can watch the video or just listen to the audio.


TAMMY: Wilson & Wilson, can I help you?

LIN: Yes, this is Lin Chan from Acme Appliances. I'd like to speak to Mr Wilson if he's available please?

TAMMY: Would that be Mr Wilson Senior or Mr Wilson Junior?

LIN: Mr Wilson senior.

TAMMY: I'll just see if he's available - hold the line please.
It's a Lin Chan from Acme.

I'm sorry, Mr Wilson's in a meeting at the moment. May I take a message?
LIN: Yes, could you ask him to phone me please. My number's 23115654.

TAMMY: I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.

LIN: Lin Chan, Acme Appliances.

TAMMY: Let me check the number, 23115654.

LIN: That's right.

TAMMY: I'll pass that message on. Thankyou.

LIN: Thanks. Bye.

*************

LIN: Acme Appliances, Lin Chan speaking.

WILSON: This is Tom Wilson returning your call.

LIN: Ah yes, Mr Wilson. Thanks for calling back. I wanted to set up a meeting with you to discuss your requirements for next year.

WILSON: Yes certainly. How about Thursday about two-thirty.

LIN: That would be fine.

WILSON: Okay, I look forward to seeing you then.

LIN: Thursday, 2.30. See you then.
Goodbye.

WILSON: Goodbye



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When we use the phone we can't see the other person, so we have to listen carefully and speak clearly. Often we deal with a switchboard operator or personal assistant, but the language we use on the phone follows conventions.
Wilson & Wilson, can I help you?

Yes, this is Lin Chan from Acme Appliances. I'd like to speak to Mr Wilson if he's available please?
When answering the phone, a switchboard operator will usually say the name of the company, then 'can I help you?' or 'How can I help you?'

Or they may not say anything after the name of the company. In any case, the caller normally says their name, by saying 'this is' and their name, then the name of their company after the words 'from' or 'of', and then who they would like to speak to.

Don't wait to be asked, but offer the information. On the phone, unless you know the other party personally, always use polite, formal language.
Wilson & Wilson. What do you want?

Lin Chan here. Put me through to Wilson.

He doesn't want to speak to you.
Mr Wilson might not want to speak to Lin - but it's not polite to say this. Notice that Lin says she wants to speak to Mr Wilson 'if he's available'.