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.

上个星期, we looked at how to show concern about cost, introducing topics with tact, and showing tactical hesitation. 在这一集, 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.

在今天的对话中, we’ll rejoin Steve, who wants to hire a vendor to run language training, 和凯伦, 谁的公司参与了该项目的投标.

听力问题

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?

Download: Podcast MP3

这是三部分商务英语播客系列的第二部分 与供应商会面以讨论提案.

正如我们上次讨论的, 与供应商会面讨论提案部分是为了获取信息，部分是为了达成一笔好交易. 您需要利用自己的软技能从会议结束时对供应商感到乐观，并确信您以最优惠的价格获得尽可能多的东西.

在最后一集中, 我们专注于通过不同类型的问题获取信息. 在本课中, 我们将看看如何表达对成本的关注, 如何巧妙地介绍一个话题, 以及如何在谈判中表现出犹豫. 我们还将介绍提出假设性问题和近似数字.

让我们重新加入史蒂夫, 谁希望聘请某人进行语言培训, 和凯伦, 谁的公司参与了该项目的投标.

听力问题

1. 混合课程的优势是什么?
2. 史蒂夫在这部分会议中的主要关注点是什么?
3. 如果客户对混合交付不满意怎么办?

Download: Podcast MP3

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.

在本课中, 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.

在今天的对话中, 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.

听力问题

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

Download: Podcast MP3