[MUSIC] Welcome back to the Business English Communications Skills course. Today, we're going to begin module 4, which focuses on arranging one on one meetings and telephoning. In this lesson you'll learn to use appropriate language and level of formality in telephoning. You'll learn to begin a professional telephone call by giving your name and stating the purpose of the call, refer to a previous meeting or to someone you both know, and to end a call appropriately. So let's begin. As you listen to the phone conversation, think about these questions. First, did the speakers meet before? What's the purpose of the call? [SOUND] >> Hello, this is Filson Parr. >> Yes, hi Filson, this is Nancy Friesen. I've met you last week at a conference in Seattle. >> Yes, I remember. >> Well, I'm calling today because I'm going to be in New York next week and I was wondering if I could drop by your office. [SOUND] >> Claremont Marketing, may I help you? >> Yes. I'd like to speak to Lucy Peterson. May I tell her who's calling? >> Nancy Friesen. >> Would you mind spelling that for me? >> Sure. F-R-I-E-S-E-N. >> Thank you, just a moment, Ms. Friesen. [SOUND] >> Lucy Peterson. >> Yes, hello. My name is Nancy Friesen. and Filson Parr suggested that I contact you. >> Yes. Filson and I go way back. What can I do for you? >> Well I'm with the Coffee Bug Company and we've developed a mini coffee maker for travelers. We've had great success selling it in travel stores on the west coast and we're looking for wider distribution. I understand that you specialize in products for travelers, so I wondered if I could make an appointment to show it to you. >> Well, yes I'm always interested in new products. We're not located in the city, though. Where are you staying? >> Midtown, by Grand Central. >> Okay. Well, I'm taking the train in tomorrow, so why don't we meet for coffee? There's a coffee shop near there called Cafe Grumpy. >> Cafe Crumpet? >> Cafe Grumpy. G-R-U-M-P-Y. >> I've seen it. I think I walked by there this morning. >> Great, so let me give you my cell phone number. >> When you call someone in business, the first ten seconds of your phone call are very important >> And there are three things you need to do. First, of course, give your name slowly and clearly. Pause before each name. For example, Nancy Friesen. On the phone, we often say this is Daphne Mackey. If you haven't met before, you can introduce yourself with hi, my name is Daphne Mackey. We do not say I am Daphne Mackey on the phone. Next, explain your connection to the person you're calling. If you met each other before, say when. Maybe somebody suggested that you call. Say that person's name very clearly, too. >> Did you meet each other before? >> I met you last week at the NCA convention in Seattle. We met at the convention last week in Seattle. >> Did someone suggest you call? >> Filson suggested that I call you. Filson suggested that I give you a call. Filson suggested I contact you. And last of course, if you haven't met before, explain who you are, your position and company name. If your company isn't familiar to the person you're calling, give some information about it, too. >> What's your company and position? >> I'm the marketing manager at. I work for a clothing retailer in Taipei, we make. My company makes athletic clothing. >> So just a note about grammar here. Use the simple present to say your name and position but use the past to talk about how you met or who referred you. The verb after suggested is the simple form of the verb. Here are some examples. My name is, this is, I work for, I'm with. And here are some examples in the past tense, we met at, Bob gave me your name, Maria suggested I call you. Complete the sentences, then listen to the correct answers. Number 1. My name is Gina Williams. Number 2. Hello. This is Gina Williams. Number 3, Mark Grant suggested that I call you. Number 4, Mark Grant gave me your number. Number 5, I'm a sales representative for MRX. Number 6, I work for MRX. Now, let's try it. Use the information on the screen to practice beginning conversations. Then listen to one possible way to say it This is Alex Mills. We met at the electronics show in Las Vegas. My name's Chris Taylor. I'm the marketing manager at SeaScape designs in Los Angeles. And Matt Bond suggested that I give you a call. My name is Pat Lee. Maria Carr gave me your name. I'm a senior manager at Marvel Productions. Just as you studied in Module 3 when you were working on writing email messages, it's important not to be too abrupt. We don't just jump right in and say I want to meet you or I want your help. Here are some ways to explain why you're calling someone. I'm calling to ask. I'm calling to find out if we could meet. I'm calling because I'd like to ask you for some help. I was wondering if you would be willing to meet with me? I'm hoping that we could meet. I was hoping that you could meet. What follow each of these expressions? Write the number on the blank. The final part of our lesson is about ending a call. >> Listen to the way conversations 1 and 2 ended. Well, so I'll see you in your office next Monday at 2. Thank you. >> You're very welcome, I'll see you then. >> Goodbye. >> Bye. >> Okay, so, I'll see you tomorrow at 10 at the Cafe Grumpy. >> Great, thanks so much for agreeing to meet with me. >> You're welcome. See you then. >> Okay. Bye, bye. >> Bye. >> To be polite, we don't end a call abruptly. First, we often signal the end with expressions like these, and, as you learned in module 1, we usually introduce these ending sentences with a word like, well, okay, or so. Listen to the intonation we use with these short transition words. Well, I don't want to take up any more of your time. Okay, well, I really appreciate your time and help. No problem. So, it was nice to talk with you. Sure, you too. There are several ways to thank someone you spoke to. Thank you is more formal than thanks. And of course is more formal than sure. Listen to this. Well, thank you for talking with me. You're welcome. Okay, so thanks for your help. Of course. If you made plans to meet, confirm the time and/or the place before you say goodbye. Okay, I'll see you on Friday. Okay, so I'll see you on Friday at 10:30. Right, see you then, goodbye. Bye. [MUSIC]
