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.
上次, 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.
听力问题
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?
This is the first of a two-part Business English Pod series on networking.
在业务, 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, acquaintances – these can all be part of your network.
The term “联网” refers to developing this group of contacts. Most businesspeople are looking to expand their networks – for 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? 在本课中, 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.
听力问题:
1. How does Ian break the ice with Marissa? 换一种说法, 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?
电话会议使来自不同位置的人们可以通过电话开会. 虽然方便, 电话会议确实要记住一些问题, 例如跟踪谁在说话. 有时两个人同时讲话或讲话太快. 因为参与者看不见, it’s helpful to use “signposts” or short statements that prepare others for what’s about to be said. 安排议程和安排时间等其他问题也有影响.
