Setting the bottom line

I … go any lower I’m afraid

12. Finishing/adjourning the negotiation

Well, I think we’ve reached a … … agreement.

Well, I think we’ve covered everything.

13. Time’s running out.

It’s been a pleasure … … business with you.

11. A role play. Business Visits. Guest - Host Communication. People say that politeness in communication is a key to fruitful cooperation even in stressful situations. Work in pairs and make a polite dialogue between a host and a guest who has come on a short business visit.

Host

You are going to receive a business visitor. Look after him and make him feel welcome. Don’t forget to offer him coffee, take his coat, ask about his journey and make some small talk to keep him entertained. Before you start, consider how you would say the following in a polite and appropriate way:

I think you are Mr. Brown.

You’ll have to wait. Mr. Wilkes will be late.

Some coffee?

Was your flight OK?

Did you get lost on the way here?

What about the weather?

Was there the traffic jam on the way?

Is your hotel OK?

Tell me about your plans while you stay here.

Guest

You’ve come on a business visit to a large company. You have an appointment with Mr. Wilkes. You had a bad flight, a sleepless night, and besides, the plane was delayed for an hour. Your hotel room is very small and the breakfast was terrible. There was also a lot of traffic on the motorway and because of traffic jam you had to rush to get to the appointment on time. You’ve come for 3 days and don’t know where to go and where to buy some souvenirs. Before starting the dialogue consider how you would say the following in a polite and appropriate way. Try to be polite, although you have some reasons to be irritated:

I’m supposed to see Mr. Wilkes at 10.00. Where is he?

I don’t want to wait.

I need to go to the bathroom.

I want to have a cigarette.

I don’t want coffee, I want tea.

How long I’ll have to wait?

Traffic jams are terrible here, aren’t they?

Where can I get some decent food?

What about souvenirs here?

PART C. SELF-STUDY

1. Look through the text on the modern types of communication techniques, match the titles and write down an essay for your portfolio on the topic: “My achievements in mastering modern communication techniques in business” (not less than 1.5 page).