BEP 172 – Incontro con un venditore (Parte 3)

This is the third of a three-part Business English Pod series on discussing a proposal with a vendor.

Meeting with a vendor to discuss a proposal is partly about getting information and partly about negotiating a good deal. Your conversation is like a dance in which you and the vendor are trying to get the most out of a possible deal. You need to come out of the meeting feeling confident about the vendor’s abilities and sure that you are getting as much as possible at the best possible price.

La settimana scorsa, we looked at how to show concern about cost, introducing topics with tact, and showing tactical hesitation. In questo episodio, we’ll focus on the negotiation phase. That will involve highlighting concerns, getting concessions, and making a counter-proposal. We’ll also look at how to set criteria for evaluation and how to maintain momentum at the end of a meeting.

Nella finestra di dialogo di oggi, we’ll rejoin Steve, who wants to hire a vendor to run language training, e Karen, la cui azienda ha presentato un'offerta per il progetto.

Domande sull'ascolto

1. How does Karen respond to Steve’s concern about cost?
2. What changes to the proposal does Steve suggest?
3. What will probably happen next?

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BEP 171 – Incontro con un venditore (Parte 2)

Questo è il secondo di una serie in tre parti di Business English Pod su incontro con un fornitore per discutere una proposta.

Come abbiamo discusso l'ultima volta, l'incontro con un fornitore per discutere una proposta è in parte per ottenere informazioni e in parte per negoziare un buon affare a. Devi usare le tue competenze trasversali per uscire dall'incontro sentendoti positivo nei confronti del venditore e sicuro di ottenere il più possibile al miglior prezzo.

Nell'ultimo episodio, ci siamo concentrati sull'ottenere informazioni attraverso diversi tipi di domande. In questa lezione, vedremo come esprimere preoccupazione per i costi, come introdurre un argomento con tatto, e come mostrare esitazione in una negoziazione. Tratteremo anche le domande ipotetiche e l'approssimazione dei numeri.

Uniamoci a Steve, chi spera di assumere qualcuno per eseguire corsi di lingua, e Karen, la cui azienda ha presentato un'offerta per il progetto.

Domande sull'ascolto

1. Quali sono i vantaggi di un corso blended?
2. Qual è la preoccupazione principale di Steve in questa parte dell'incontro??
3. Cosa si può fare se il cliente non è soddisfatto della consegna mista?

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BEP 170 – Incontro con un venditore (Parte 1)

This is the first of a three-part Business English Pod lesson about meeting with a vendor, or potential supplier.

When you meet with a vendor to discuss a proposal, it’s partly about getting information and partly about negotiating better terms. You may be meeting with several vendors who are bidding on the same job. You want to make sure you understand each proposal and can have confidence in each vendor’s ability to deliver. You’ll also want to get the best terms possible in the deal. Then you can make a wise decision about who deserves the contract.

In questa lezione, we’ll look at using probing questions to dig for more information, ensuring vendor expertise by asking about past experience, asking leading questions, and confirming information. We’ll also see how a vendor attempts to address the client’s concerns.

Nella finestra di dialogo di oggi, we’ll hear Steve, who works for a company that wants to hire someone to run Business English training courses for its employees. Steve is meeting with Karen, a potential vendor, who works for Lexis Training Solutions.

Domande sull'ascolto

1. What are Lexis Training Solutionsstrengths?
2. What are Steve’s biggest concerns in this meeting?
3. Why does Karen say that each company is unique?

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BEP 156 – Inglese per socializzare: Networking (Parte 2)

This is the second of a two-part Business English Pod lesson on business networking.

Networking is all about people and connections. You never know when someone you meet at a conference or trade show may be able to help your business in the future. Likewise, you may be able to help someone else out. So building and maintaining a network of business contacts is essential.

But once you meet a prospective contact, how do you maintain that connection? This is what we’ll focus on today. We’ll talk about ways to steer a conversation toward a lead. We’ll also cover ways to shoot for a meeting and be persistent. And we’ll look at the other side and discuss ways to politely leave a conversation.

Today’s lesson is mainly about sales, but these functions can be easily applied to other situations.

Ultima volta, we met Ian, a sales rep for a pharmaceutical company, and Marissa, a pharmacy manager at Children’s Hospital. They met at a conference and Marissa mentioned her frustration with her current pharmaceutical supplier. Deliveries are often late and are sometimes packaged incorrectly. She’s concerned about getting supplies for her hospital’s vaccine clinics. And that’s where the conversation resumes today.

Domande sull'ascolto

1. What supplies does Marissa’s pharmacy need?
2. Why does Ian suggest grabbing a cup of coffee?
3. What is Marissa’s schedule like right now?

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BEP 155 – Inglese per socializzare: Networking (Parte 1)

This is the first of a two-part Business English Pod series on networking.

In affari, so much depends on who you know. A network is a group of business contacts that have the resources to help each other out. Former and current colleagues, outside business associates, vendors, friends, acquaintancesthese can all be part of your network.

The term “rete” refers to developing this group of contacts. Most businesspeople are looking to expand their networksfor sales leads, job referrals, information, and advice. Networking also means being helpful to others. There should be mutual benefits for all involved.

Networking often involves approaching people you don’t know, which can be a little awkward. How do you network in a way that seems genuine? In questa lezione, we’ll look at ways to approach people. We’ll also cover greetings and introductions, 10-second elevator pitches, and talking about your industry.

Today we’ll listen to Ian and Marissa’s first interaction at a pharmacy conference. Ian is a sales rep for a pharmaceutical company. Marissa is the manager of a hospital pharmacy. A pharmacy is a place that distributes medicine and drugs.

Domande sull'ascolto:

1. How does Ian break the ice with Marissa? In altre parole, how does he start their first interaction?
2. How did Ian learn about the flu vaccine clinics?
3. Why is Marissa frustrated with her supplier?

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