Business and Social Contacts
Distance is no obstacle today and personal contracts have become the most efficient means of promoting a better understanding in all spheres of human activity. Foreign trade is no exception. Normally, businessmen keep in touch through correspondence or telephone calls, but there's no denying the fact that major problems can be solved more effectively through a personal meeting. Both parties have equal opportunities to hear out their counterpart's arguments and come to an agreement on the business in hand. Since a business trip is always limited in time, a businessman makes arrangements before to his departure or immediately on arrival. Among other things he can make an appointment by telephone or by cable. In the counterpart's country a businessman can make an appointment in person. It is customary for businessmen to draw up a tentative programme of points they would like to take up during the forthcoming meeting.
The programmes of the delegation's stay include a series of business talks and social meetings like a sightseeing tours, entertainment, visits to their counterpart's homes, etc. Visitors may have to attend a business lunch or a reception given in honour of the delegation.
It is essential to be punctual in business. If you cannot keep the appointment you should notify your counterpart in advance and fix a new date.
On a formal occasion (talks, a working lunch, a reception) a business is expected to wear a suit and tie. Informal occasions (a sightseeing tour, an outing, a visit to a private home) do not call for formal clothes; one should be dressed casually.
Remember that it is always best to behave naturally. Jokes and humour are appreciated just as much as they are elsewhere.
Active vocabulary
business and social contacts– деловые и социальные контакты;
talks – переговоры
obstacle – препятствие
exception – исключение
to deny – отрицать
to solve – решать
equal opportunities – равные возможности
agreement – соглашение
arrangement – организация
it is customary – традиционно
to draw up – составлять
tentative – предварительный, предполагаемый
to include – включать
appreciate – оценивать, высоко ценить, принимать во внимание
promote – способствовать;
keep in touch through the correspondence – поддерживать связь при помощи переписки;
counterpart – коллега, должностное лицо, занимающее аналогичный пост (в другом учреждении, в другой стране)
make an appointment by phone or by cable – договориться о встрече по телефону или телеграммой;
take up – зд. рассматривать, обсуждать;
notify in advance – информировать, сообщать заранее;
fix – назначать;
outing – прогулка за город, экскурсия;
be dressed casually – носить повседневную одежду;
elsewhere – (где-нибудь) в другом месте.
Speech practice:
Match the phrases in English and Russian and make up your own
sentences:
have equal opportunities - боюсь, что я не знаю
notify your counterpart in advance - записывать что-то
major problems - удостовериться, убедиться
given in honour of the delegation - иметь равные возможности
a personal meeting - что ты думаешь по поводу…?
to make a note (notes) of smth. - договориться с коллегой заранее
to make sure - главные проблемы
what do you feel about…? - я без труда говорю по-английски
I’m afraid, I don’t know – данная в честь делегации
I’ve no problem (speaking English) – личная встреча
Speech patterns
| Secretary speaking. | - | Говорит секретарь. |
| The sooner the better. | - | Чем скорее, тем лучше. |
| Can (could) I speak to Mr. X., please? | - | Я хотел бы поговорить с мистером Х. |
| Who's calling. | - | Кто говорит? |
| Any time you say. | - | В любое время. |
| Will 2 p.m. be all right with you? | - | 2 часа дня Вас устроит? |
| Have you met Mr. N.? | - | Вы знакомы с мистером Н.? |
| I haven't had the pleasure. | - | Не имел удовольствия. |
| Do you mind if we get down to the business right now? | - | Вы не возражаете, если мы сразу приступим к делу? |
| May I introduce you to our Minister? | - | Разрешите мне представить вас нашему министру? |
| Make yourselves comfortable | - | Устраивайтесь поудобнее. |
Lesson 2
TEXT
My Business Trip
I'm Alison. I work for IBM as the Sales Manager. Next week the Managing Director and I will go on a business trip to Moscow. We'll go there by plane, because it is the best way for travelling. At first I'll ask my secretary to book tickets in our names. As we are going to stay at a hotel, it's important to reserve rooms there as well.
Business we decided to finance a significant project there. We hope that we'll establish good trade relations with our new partners. Mr. Bell will discuss the prices and terms of payment, shipment and delivery.
On the second day we'll go to Chamber of Commerce where Mr. Bell will give a speech promoting our new products.
If I have free time I'll go sightseeing as I have never been to Moscow before.
I'll visit some museums, galleries and the Kremlin, of course. But if the weather is bad I'll go to the Opera House. I like operas.
I hope business trip will be successful.
Active vocabulary
trip – поездка, путешествие (travelling)
business trip – командировка
to book tickets – купить билеты
to be going to do smth – собираться, намереваться что-то сделать
to reserve a room – заказать комнату
project – проект, план
to establish - устанавливать
price - цена
terms of payment – условия оплаты
shipment - погрузка
delivery - доставка
Chamber of Commerce – торговая палата
to go sightseeing – осматривать достопримечательности
successful – успешный
Speech practice
Ex.I. Answer the following questions:
1. Who will go on a business trip next week?
2. What will Alison do at first?
3. Where will they go on a business trip?
4. How will they go there?
5. What do they hope for?
6. What will Mr. Bell discuss?
7. Where will Mr. Bell give a speech promoting new products?
8. What will Alison do if she has free time?
9. With whom do they hope to establish good trade relations?
Ex. II. Agree or disagree:
1. Alison works for Travel Services as a chief accountant.
2. Mr. Bell and Alison will rest in Moscow in two weeks.
3. They will go to Moscow by train, because it's the best way for travelling.
4. At first Alison will book tickets and reserve rooms at a hotel.
5. Mr. Bell will discuss political problems with his partners.
6. On the second day Mr. Bell and Alison are going to visit an exhibition of consumer goods.
7. Alison was in Moscow many times but still if the weather is good she will go sightseeing.
8. Mr. Bell and Alison hope that their business trip will be successful.
Ex. III. Say what you have learned from the text about:
• the business trip to Moscow of Mr. Bell and Alison;
• the first day of Mr. Bell in Moscow;
• the second day of their business trip.
Ex. IV. Translate into English:
1. На следующей неделе мистер Белл и Элисон отправятся в командировку в Москву.
2. Они полетят туда самолетом, т.к. это самый лучший способ для путешествия.
3. Секретарь купит билеты на наши имена.
4. Так как мы собираемся остановиться в отеле, то так же важно заказать номера в отеле.
5. Мистер Белл обсудит цены, сроки поставки и оплаты.
6. Я надеюсь, наша командировка будет успешной.
7. Мы решили профинансировать значительный проект в Москве.
8. Мы надеемся установить хорошие торговые отношения с нашими партнерами.