Business English Pod (9to5English) / Human Resources / Page 6

BEP 171 – Meeting with a Vendor (Part 2)

Business English, Human Resources, Meeting English, Sales /

This is the second of a three-part Business English Pod series about meeting with a vendor to discuss a proposal.

As we discussed last time, meeting with a vendor to discuss a proposal is partly about getting information and partly about negotiating a good deal. You need to use your soft skills to come out of the meeting feeling positive about the vendor and confident that you are getting as much as possible at the best price.

In the last episode, we focussed on getting information through different types of questions. In this lesson, we’ll look at how to express concern about cost, how to introduce a topic with tact, and how to show hesitation in a negotiation. We’ll also cover asking hypothetical questions and approximating numbers.

Let’s rejoin Steve, who is hoping to hire someone to run language training, and Karen, whose company has bid on the project.

Listening Questions

1. What are the advantages of a blended course?
2. What is Steve’s primary concern in this part of the meeting?
3. What can be done if the client isn’t satisfied with the blended delivery?

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BEP 170 – Meeting with a Vendor (Part 1)

Business English, Human Resources, Meeting English, Sales /

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.

In this lesson, 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.

In today’s dialog, 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.

Listening Questions

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?

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BEP 152 – Giving Bad News: Layoffs (Part 2)

Advanced, Business English, ESL Podcast, Human Resources /

This is the second of a two-part Business English Pod series on giving bad news and and discussing layoffs.

When employees are laid off, they usually have questions about what will happen next. When is their last day? What support can they expect? And what about a severance package? This compensation package often includes both money and some extension of benefits, but varies from company to company or even from employee to employee.

In this lesson, we’ll cover language you can use after an employee has been notified of a layoff. We’ll go over ways to explain what will happen next and how to explain a severance package. We’ll also talk about ways to show empathy and offer support to a laid-off employee.

In the last episode, we met Angela, a manager at a resort and David, the head chef at Zapata’s, a restaurant at the resort that is closing. Angela has told David that he will be laid off. Now they’ll discuss the details.

Listening Questions

1. Name two parts of David’s severance package.
2. What will happen to David’s health insurance?
3. How does Angela offer to help David in his job search?

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BEP 151 – Giving Bad News: Layoffs (Part 1)

Advanced, Business English, ESL Podcast, Human Resources /

This is the first of a two-part Business English Pod series on giving bad news and layoffs.

If a person gets “laid off”, it means they will lose their job. But it’s not the same as being fired. Layoffs usually occur because of outside forces. A poor economy might cause a company to reduce its staff. Or changes in the industry may make some types of jobs unnecessary. After a merger, there might be redundancies, or duplicates. Two people may be doing the same type of job. If the company only needs one person in that position, the other could be laid off.

Nobody likes giving bad news. And a conversation about layoffs can become awkward and emotional. So in this lesson, we’ll talk about ways to prepare an employee for bad news so that you can soften the shock. We’ll also cover ways to get to the point and how to respond to an angry or emotional employee. Finally, we’ll go over some language to clearly explain the reasons for a layoff.

Angela and David work at a hotel resort that is having some financial difficulties. Angela is a manager and David is the head chef at Zapata’s, one of the resort’s restaurants. Unfortunately, Angela has to tell David he’s being laid off.

Listening Questions

1. Why has management decided to close 2 restaurants?
2. What type of food does Zapata’s serve?
3. Specifically, why is Zapata’s closing?

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BEP 148 – Asking for a Pay Raise (Part 2)

Advanced, Business English, ESL Podcast, Human Resources, Negotiating /

This is the second of a two-part Business English Pod series on asking for a pay raise.

Asking for a pay raise is a two-step process. Before any discussion of compensation begins, it’s important to state your case and demonstrate why you deserve a raise. Let your boss know of your achievements and your value to the company.

The second part involves negotiating. This is the time to start talking about specific numbers and benefits, but it must be handled diplomatically. You’ll need to outline what you want, acknowledge the other party’s concerns and bargain for the best deal.

In the last episode, we listened to Ryan, a salesman at an industrial supply company called Pylon, present his case to his boss, Jacob. Ryan pointed out that his relationship with Alliance Builders brought in more sales overall. He also took on some web design work in addition to his sales duties. Now, Ryan and Jacob are ready to start negotiating Ryan’s compensation.

Listening Questions

1. How much does Ryan think he should receive for the web design work? Why?
2. Why can’t Jacob give Ryan the amount of money he wants?
3. What do Jacob and Ryan agree to in regard to Alliance Builders?

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