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PERSONAL CONTACTS

K E Y VO C A B U L A RY

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appointment business card business talk contact deal with sb discussion encounter exchange interview introduce / present sb to sb meet sb meeting visiting card

schÛzka firemní vizitka obchodní rozhovor / jednání styk, spojení; kontaktovat jednat s k˘m rozhovor; (ústní) jednání (náhodné) setkání; potkat v˘mûna (napfi. názorÛ) pohovor pfiedstavit koho komu setkat se s k˘m, potkat koho schÛze (napfi. pracovní) nav‰tívenka

Part 4.0 LEAD-IN

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

A FACTFILE

Personal contacts are important mainly for two reasons: firstly, their forms are fit for specific occasions and daily situations many of which could otherwise not be dealt with. Secondly, a face-to-face contact saves time and money as it enables prompt reactions and fast exchange of views, which otherwise might require a long correspondence. Last but not least, personal contacts offer the opportunity of getting closer to the business partner and learning more about his or her personality, manners, behaviour, likely reactions to certain situations, and his or her strong and weak points in general. This may prove a valuable experience for the ensuing business dealings. business dealings pl deal with sth

obchodní jednání vypofiádat se s ãím

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ensue fit for sth learn manners pl prove (to be) sth strong point weak point

následovat vhodn˘ pro co dovûdût se zpÛsob chování ukázat se jako co silná stránka slabá stránka, slabina

4.1 FORMS OF PROFESSIONAL PERSONAL CONTACTS Such personal contacts take place during ● business appointments and meetings ● various encounters between business partners ● telephone conversations ● presentations, conferences, seminars, training courses ● job interviews ● conversations with colleagues during working hours.

4.2 MAKING CONTACT Business people meet and talk with one another on various occasions. Their conversation, however, is likely to differ in tone and style according to whether, for example, one meets his/her colleague and friend at a company meeting, or whether two people who are strangers to each other meet at an international conference or airport. In the latter case, the necessary introductions are often followed by a conversation touching on various personal details such as the nature of job and position currently held, responsibilities and tasks, residence etc. People at conferences can easily be asked about their names, companies they represent, places where they come from, or hobbies and interests. The new acquaintances often exchange business cards which sometimes also offer a starting point for a social conversation or business talk. acquaintance currently position stranger

znám˘ (osoba) v souãasné dobû pozice (v zamûstnání), funkce neznámá / cizí osoba

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4.3 PLACES OF PERSONAL CONTACTS The usual places where various kinds of personal contacts take place, are ● firms: Their receptions, sample and conference rooms are equipped to receive visitors and also stage in-house meetings or small exhibitions. Offices, among others, provide room for daily contact with colleagues and telephones are ready for both outgoing and incoming telephone calls. Of particular importance are front offices of banks, airlines etc. where clients are treated at counters and windows, while the staff in back offices process (AM processes) orders and do (AM does) all the necessary paperwork ● public places: Hotels, lounges and restaurants not only accommodate business people as their guests during business travels and social occasions (e.g. receptions, parties etc.), trying their best to make them feel comfortable in a cosy atmosphere, but also have convenient facilities available for organizing even big gatherings on various business occasions ● fair and exhibition grounds: They represent ideal sites for large-scale presentations of products, both indoors and outdoors, to the visiting public as well as to specialized potential buyers and also serve as convenient business venues. The organizers are experienced enough to offer their expertise and logistics for these events, regardless of the type and size of equipment to be handled and displayed. Firms can use the existing halls or custom-built stands to receive their visitors for business discussions and demonstrations ● homes and households: These are not to be forgotten as they often witness remarkable performances by salesmen who try to successfully demonstrate their products during personal selling, for which they need their best communication skills including, of course, eloquence. back office business travel cosy, AM cozy counter custom-built demonstration eloquence exhibition expertise

kanceláfi pro zpracování podkladÛ, administrativní zázemí obchodní / sluÏební cestování útuln˘ pfiepáÏka postaven˘ na zakázku ukázka, demonstrace, pfiedvádûní v˘mluvnost v˘stava odbornost, odborné schopnosti / znalosti

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fair grounds pl front office gathering in-house lounge paperwork process sample room site staff stand treat sb venue window witness sth

veletrÏní plocha kanceláfi / pfiepáÏka pro jednání s klienty shromáÏdûní (vnitro)podnikov˘ hotelová hala administrativní práce zpracovávat (napfi. objednávky) vzorkovna místo (plocha) zamûstnanci stánek (napfi. veletrÏní) jednat s k˘m, obsluhovat koho místo pro konání schÛzek / shromáÏdûní okénko (napfi. v bance) b˘t svûdkem ãeho

4.4 PHASES OF PERSONAL CONTACT ●

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An introduction is a matter of course for people who have not met before or for speakers before their new audiences. It is essential for initiating and establishing personal contact, especially if one is anxious to make the other person’s acquaintance and keep up the relation for a longer time. At meetings and presentations, it is a matter of good manners. Personal introductions are often performed by way of exchanging business cards which contain all the data needed for proper identification of both the individual and the firm and can be kept for easy reference later. There are certain conventional rules especially for situations when a person does not only introduce himself or herself but presents a third person to somebody else. Greetings are what encounters usually start with. They can be formal or rather informal, depending on how long the partners have known each other. Small talk is a period of social conversation which the parties often start before they get down to brass tacks. In some cultures, e.g. in Arabia or Japan, it is an indispensable part at the beginning of a business talk. It can be regarded as an expression of politeness and respect to the partner, but for experienced and trained businessmen it is a useful instrument to elicit information that helps to form a more precise assessment of the other person. A suitable tool is thus pro-

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vided for choosing appropriate business tactics to be applied in the ensuing business talk. Small talk has a limited use for addressing larger audiences, although even there a good joke or witty phrases are not entirely out of place. Factual or business talk, when one tries to get his/her message across in an informative or persuasive manner to a partner or audience, is probably the substance of any personal contact. Parting is the time of thanking, saying good-bye and leaving. assessment elicit factual talk get down to brass tacks hov. get the message across indispensable initiate keep up make sb’s acquaintance parting tactics pl witty

zhodnocení (vy)získat (napfi. informace) vûcn˘ hovor jít k jádru vûci uãinit sdûlení srozumiteln˘m, objasnit, vysvûtlit co nepostradateln˘ podnítit, zahájit, iniciovat udrÏet seznámit se s k˘m rozlouãení taktika, metoda vtipn˘

4.5 BUSINESS MEETINGS Personal appearance at meetings and conferences (where it is sometimes necessary to address a wider audience and participate in discussions) requires command of a specific language to enable good presentation and prompt reactions.

4.5.1 Types of business meetings Meetings can be called at various corporate levels and for various purposes, usually to discuss current corporate problems or the course of future actions. The main division line is usually drawn between the following types: ● a formal meeting, e.g. a general meeting of shareholders which is convened in accordance with the company’s statutes, has a fixed agenda announced by an official notice well in advance and is chaired by the company’s chairperson

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an informal meeting, where no strict rules are set and the attendance is limited to a few managers and/or smaller groups of employees. appearance attendance call, convene chairperson command set rules shareholder statutes pl

(vefiejné) vystoupení pfiítomnost, úãast svolat (napfi. schÛzi) pfiedsedající zvládnutí, znalost stanovit pravidla akcionáfi stanovy

4.5.2 Issues of business meetings Most meetings would deal with the following general issues: ● review of recent activities, events and achievements ● presentation of new projects, recommendations on problem solutions ● discussion – and sometimes voting – on alternatives and suggestions ● taking decisions in the form of resolutions and amendments. achievement amendment issue resolution review voting

dosaÏen˘ v˘sledek dodatek; (o zákonu) novela bod (jednání / programu) usnesení pfiehled hlasování

4.5.3 Organization of a meeting Organization of meetings is often the secretary’s responsibility and has to cover all the stages from the preparation up to the filing of documents. ● Before a meeting is held, it has to be summoned and its date fixed. The notice of agenda can be sent to envisaged participants beforehand along with information on exactly when and where the meeting is taking place. It may also be necessary to book a suitable room, check on its furnishings, arrange for refreshments and prepare an attendance register ● During the meeting, the secretary usually takes the minutes and particularly keeps a record of what has been decided in respect of the various items

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After the meeting, documents have to be collected and copies of the minutes circulated when approved.

The chairperson is usually appointed by the company but (s)he can also be nominated and elected during the session. The chairperson is the one who opens the meeting, addresses it and stays in charge of the meeting until it breaks up. (S)he ensures that the items on the agenda are discussed in their proper order and invites speakers to take the floor. The usual role of the speaker is to give a report on past achievements, outline plans for the future, suggest changes, ventilate a problem or present information. (S)he also explains the motives and sometimes offers alternative solutions and, finally, makes his/her recommendation, asks for opinions and invites further suggestions which people come up with during a discussion to be opened later. A proposal can either be accepted or rejected. Large sessions such as corporate global summits can be split into various breakout sessions where specific subjects are discussed. appoint attendance register be elected be nominated break up breakout session collect come up with sth envisaged file global summit hold item keep a record of sth (the) minutes pl open outline reject stay in charge of sth

ustanovit, jmenovat (do funkce) prezenãní listina b˘t zvolen b˘t navrÏen / nominován skonãit, rozejít se (o schÛzi, shromáÏdûní) dílãí / oddûlené zasedání shromáÏdit pfiijít s ãím pfiedpokládan˘ zakládat, archivovat celosvûtové setkání (pracovníkÛ téÏe firmy z rÛzn˘ch zemí s jejím vrcholov˘m vedením) konat (napfi. schÛzi) bod jednání zaznamenávat, zapisovat co zápis (o prÛbûhu) zahájit (napfi. schÛzi) nastínit odmítnout, zamítnout nadále vést / fiídit co (napfi. schÛzi)

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summon take the floor ventilate

svolat ujmout se slova (nahlas, na vefiejnosti) vyjádfiit (napfi. svÛj názor), hov. ventilovat

4.5.4 The minutes The minutes are a record of the proceedings of a meeting. Since they are obligatory for a limited company, they have to be numbered and kept in the minute book. The last minutes are approved at the start of each new meeting and then signed by the chairperson as true and accurate. In particular, they have to record each motion and resolution passed, including riders, along with the names of the proposers and seconders, unless it is decided that a particular matter has to lie on the table, i.e. to be finalized later.

4.5.5 Voting procedures Internal rules sometimes may require for certain decisions to be approved by voting, which can be performed ● by a show of hands when those who are in favour of a decision are requested to put their hands up ● by ballot, mostly on formal occasions, when the people present take a ballot, i.e. they throw their ballot papers into ballot boxes and the votes are then counted by tellers. This is done when secret voting is required. There may, of course, also be votes against a proposal as well as abstentions. The result of the vote has to be announced. The regulations of the organization may stipulate that a certain minimum of people with voting rights have to be present at the meeting to make it valid and also that authority may be given to a proxy to vote on behalf of an absent voter. All these votes form a quorum. abstention authority ballot ballot box ballot paper obligatory proposer

zdrÏení se hlasování zmocnûní tajné hlasování volební urna volební lístek povinn˘, závazn˘ navrhovatel

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proxy quorum record regulation rider seconder show of hands stipulate teller vote against

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zmocnûnec, zplnomocnûn˘ zástupce (napfi. nepfiítomného voliãe) usná‰eníschopnost, poãet hlasÛ potfiebn˘ch k platnosti hlasování zaznamenat (interní) pfiedpis, úprava dodatek (nemûnící obsah dokumentu) podporovatel hlasování zdviÏením rukou pfiesnû stanovit sãítaã hlasÛ hlas proti

4.6 BUSINESS CONFERENCES While meetings are predominantly in-house events (unless they are called e.g. by an international company for a briefing, training or exchange of views among experts from branches operating in various countries), international conferences, symposiums and seminars are often organized as congregations of representatives and specialists from various companies and institutions on an international scale. Conferences are almost ideal places for new business contacts, provided that the new acquaintances are genuinely keen to find out and exchange information about one another, i.e. about their countries, companies, jobs, plans, families etc., which are all suitable topics for a lively social conversation. be keen to do branch briefing congregation predominantly scale

velmi chtít co poboãka instruktáÏ shromáÏdûní pfieváÏnû mûfiítko

4.6.1 Venues Big conferences are usually organized in hotels or conference halls, sometimes with the help of professional organizers who ensure that the hall or room to be used can not only accommodate all participants comfortably but is also equipped

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with all the necessary facilities e.g. for lectures and presentations. Good lighting, acoustics, air conditioning as well as safety and security arrangements are also among the necessities for such congregations.

4.6.2 Programmes and schedules All participants usually get a detailed programme of the conference and other relevant papers well in advance, often in special conference folders or on floppy disks. These materials usually contain: ● a map of the location and layout of the conference rooms ● exact timetables of the various events and performances ● addresses of hotels and restaurants ● information on transportation and accommodation ● a schedule of the social programme of the conference ● lists and abstracts of main speeches, names of speakers, special guests etc. Participants can then prepare their own daily programmes, schedules and itineraries accordingly. abstract accommodate folder itinerary layout lecture performance timetable

abstrakt, struãn˘ obsah pojmout mapa, sloÏka (na doklady) cestovní rozvrh prostorové uspofiádání pfiedná‰ka vystoupení ãasov˘ rozvrh, harmonogram

Part

B.1 WORDSTOCK

OPPORTUNITY, CHANCE, OCCASION ... There are various English nouns to express favourable time for an action. The following list exemplifies situations in which these nouns are used and the corresponding phrases in proper grammatical forms.

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Opportunity ● pfiíleÏitost (nabízející moÏnosti)

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Now you’ve got the opportunity of asking / for asking / to ask questions. We should seize / take this opportunity to ... Don’t miss this opportunity.

Nyní máte pfiíleÏitost / moÏnost klást otázky. Mûli bychom vyuÏít této pfiíleÏitosti k tomu, abychom ... Nezme‰kejte tuto pfiíleÏitost.

Chance ● nadûje, vyhlídka What are our chances of securing this order? There is a very good chance that they will agree. They have / stand no chance of winning this tender. ● pfiíleÏitost We didn’t have much chance to talk with them.

Jakou máme nadûji získat tuto zakázku? Je velmi pravdûpodobné, Ïe budou souhlasit. Nemají Ïádnou ‰anci získat tento tendr. Nemûli jsme mnoho pfiíleÏitostí s nimi hovofiit.

Occasion ● pfiíleÏitost We should take this occasion to (daná situace present out view. urãující jednání) He analyzed the favourable conditions and rose to the occasion. On this ocasion we would like to ... ● vhodná doba, For the firm, it was an occasion pravá chvíle of counteraction. ● dÛvod, záminka, The delay was only the occasion, bezprostfiední not the real cause. pfiíãina

Mûli bychom vyuÏít této pfiíleÏitosti a vyloÏit nበnázor. Prostudoval pfiíznivé podmínky a okamÏitû se chopil pfiíleÏitosti. Pfii této pfiíleÏitosti bychom chtûli ... Pro tu firmu to byla vhodná chvíle k protiakci. To zpoÏdûní bylo jen záminkou, nikoli skuteãnou pfiíãinou.

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Option ● právo rozhodnout se ● volitelná alternativa ●

pfiedkupní právo

Possibility ● (objektivní) moÏnost ●

pfiedpoklad

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We have retained our option of withdrawal. These are our options at the moment. They still can exercise their option to buy.

There is only one possibility to achieve / of achieving this objective. The possibilities of business in this area are still unclear. There is a possibility that neither of them wins.

Part

UdrÏeli jsme si právo rozhodnout se o odstoupení. Momentálnû si mÛÏeme vybrat z tûchto moÏností. Stále mohou uplatnit své pfiedkupní právo.

Existuje pouze jediná moÏnost jak dosáhnout tohoto cíle. Obchodní pfiedpoklady v této oblasti jsou stále nejasné. Je moÏné, Ïe nikdo z nich nevyhraje.

B.2 PHRASEOLOGY

1 ENCOUNTERS, INTRODUCTIONS, GREETINGS The following phrases have been selected according to their practical use in conversations. In the following list we start with those which take place during first encounters of people who meet for the first time and need to be introduced to each other. This part also includes introductions of speakers or guests of honour at meetings. Finally, there are a few typical greetings exchanged among friends and acquaintances. Some of the phrases have been arranged in the form of a dialogue. Except for the first exchange of greetings listed below, all the other pairs are to be considered as mere suggestions and the replies can easily be changed to other suitable variants as the actual situation may require.

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Tû‰í mne. (formální, partner odpovídá stejnû) Good evening, sir / madam. – Good Dobr˘ veãer pane / paní. – Dobr˘ veãer evening to you. i vám. Do I have the pleasure of speaking Mám tu ãest hovofiit s ...? – Ano, tak se to ...? – Yes, that’s my name. jmenuji. Hello, my name is ... – Let me Zdravím, jmenuji se ... – Dovolte, introduce myself. abych se pfiedstavil(a). I’m Bob Griffith. – Hello, I’m Lubor Já jsem Bob Griffith. – Ahoj, já jsem Ma‰ek. Lubor Ma‰ek. Pleased / Glad to meet you. – The Jsem rád(a), Ïe vás poznávám. – Potûpleasure is mine. ‰ení je na mé stranû. John, you know Adam Matthews, don’t Jane, znበpfiece Adama Matthewse, you? – Oh yes, I remember him well. Ïe? – Ov‰em, pamatuji se na nûho dobfie. I think you two have already met. – Myslím, Ïe vy dva se uÏ znáte / jste se Sorry, I don’t seem to have had the uÏ setkali. – BohuÏel, zdá se mi, Ïe pleasure. jsem je‰tû nemûl(a) to potû‰ení. Excuse me, aren’t you by any chance Mr PromiÀte, nejste náhodou pan ... z / od ... from ...? – No, I’m not, you prob...? – Ne, nejsem, asi jste si mû ably mistook me for someone else. s nûk˘m spletl(a). I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name. Obávám se, Ïe jsem nezachytil(a) May I have your card, please? – správnû va‰e jméno. Mohl(a) byste With pleasure, here you are. mi laskavû dát va‰i vizitku? – S radostí, tady je. How do you do? – How do you do?

*** What business are you in? – I work in textiles. Who do you work for? – I’m with ABC Limited. We’re an export and import company. What are you responsible for? – I’m in charge of Sales, European desk. What’s your position there? – I’m an export manager.

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Jak˘ je vበobor? – Pracuji v textilu. Pro jakou firmu pracujete? – Jsem u ABC Limited. Jsme v˘vozní a dovozní spoleãnost. Za co zodpovídáte? – Jsem vedoucí prodeje v evropském oddûlení. Jakou tam máte funkci? – Jsem v˘vozní fieditel.

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Where do you come from? – I’m from Prague, the Czech Republic. Where are your headquarters? – In Prague, our capital. In which hotel are you staying? – Westbury, not very far from here. Do you know it? Are you here alone or with colleagues? – We are a group of four. How do you find the whole programme? – They’re going to keep us busy for quite a while, don’t you think? Do you have any idea how many people are here? – Oh, it can well be a few hundred, I guess.

Odkud jste? – Jsem z Prahy v âeské republice. Kde je va‰e fieditelství? – V Praze, v na‰em hlavním mûstû. V kterém hotelu bydlíte? – Ve Westbury, nedaleko odtud. Znáte jej? Jste tu sám / sama nebo s va‰imi kolegy? – Jsme ãtyfiãlenná skupina. Jak se vám líbí cel˘ program? – Asi nás tu dost zamûstnají, Ïe? Máte pfiedstavu, kolik asi je tu lidí? – Myslím, Ïe to docela mÛÏe b˘t pár stovek.

*** Let me introduce you. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is ... I’d like to introduce Mr ... and Mrs ... who represent ... I’m sure you all know Mrs ... who is an expert on ... It gives me great pleasure to welcome here Mr ...

Dovolte, abych vás pfiedstavil(a). Dámy a pánové, toto je ... Rád(a) bych pfiedstavil(a) pana ... a paní ..., ktefií zastupují ... Myslím, Ïe v‰ichni znáte paní ..., která je odbornicí na ... Je mi potû‰ením pfiivítat zde pana ...

*** Hello, Frank, I’m glad we’ve met. – So am I. Hi, Nick, how are you? – I’m fine, thanks. And you? Nice / Glad to see you, Pete. – Ah, yes, nice to see you again. How are you getting on? – I’m O.K., thanks. Good morning, Joe. How are you feeling? – Not too bad, thanks.

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Nazdar / Ahoj Franku, jsem rád(a), Ïe se potkáváme / vidíme. – Já taky. Ahoj, Nicku, jak se má‰? – Prima. A co ty? Jsem rád(a), Ïe tû vidím, Pete. – Jo, je to prima zas tû vidût. Jak se ti vede? – V pohodû, dík. Dobré ráno, Joe, jak se cítí‰? – Ujde to, díky.

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Hi, Perry. What’s the big news today? – You’d better not ask me. How’s everybody at home? – Nothing to complain of, thanks.

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Ahoj, Perry. Co je dnes nového? – Radûji se ani neptej. Jak se vede v‰em doma? – NestûÏuju si, dík.

2 EXPRESSIONS IN EVERYDAY SITUATIONS There is a wide range of colloquialisms which are common, without relation to any specific event, such as expressions of agreement or disagreement, inquiries including offers of assistance and requests, surprise and thanks. The following list gives some phrases and dialogues of this kind. It is obvious that in many situations the same formulations can be used both verbally and in writing. In order to avoid duplicity with Unit 2 focused on correspondence, identical or very similar phrases have been excluded from this section. This arrangement, however, also implies that in order to acquire a more comprehensive choice of expressions, both parts should be studied together as a whole. Agreement and disagreement

Souhlas a nesouhlas

You’re quite right. Absolutely. It’s O.K. / fine with me. I would tend to agree. By and large I agree. In principle I agree, but ... I agree to some extent, yet ... I see your point, but ...

Máte zcela pravdu. Rozhodnû. Nemám nic proti. / Souhlasím. Jsem naklonûn(a) souhlasit. Vcelku souhlasím. V zásadû souhlasím, av‰ak ... Do urãité míry souhlasím, nicménû ... Vím, co máte na mysli, ale ...

*** Sorry, I think you’re mistaken. I’m afraid I can’t agree to that. I regret indeed that I can’t ... I fear that unless ... I’m sorry, but I totally disagree with that. This proposal has no chance. It’s out of the question.

Lituji, myslím Ïe jste na omylu. Obávám se, Ïe s tím nemohu souhlasit. Je mi opravdu líto, Ïe nemohu ... Obávám se, Ïe pokud ne... Lituji, ale s tím absolutnû nesouhlasím. Tento návrh nemá Ïádnou ‰anci. To je vylouãeno.

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Checking

Ovûfiování

Have you got that? – I believe so. Can I go ahead? – I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. Could you repeat it, please? I’ll check that information for you. – Good, check on ..., please. I’ll check back on it. – Please do.

Máte to? – Myslím, Ïe ano. Mohu pokraãovat? – Lituji, nezachytil(a) jsem to. MÛÏete to, prosím, zopakovat? Provûfiím pro vás tu informaci. – To je dobfie, pfiekontrolujte prosím ... (co) Je‰tû jednou to provûfiím. – Udûlejte to, prosím. Mohu vám to znovu pfieãíst? – Ano, prosím. Pochopil(a) jsi to? – Myslím, Ïe ano. Nejsem si jist(a), zda to mám správnû. – Tak si to znovu projdûme.

Could I read that back to you? – Yes, please. Did you get that? – I think I did. I’m not sure if I got it right. – Well, let’s go through it again. Inquiries and requests

Dotazy a Ïádosti

Could you give me information about ..., please? – Certainly. Could you tell me something more about ..., please? – Yes, of course. Do you happen to know ...? – Well, as far as I remember ... Could you provide me with ..., please? – I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Excuse me, could you show me the right way to ...? – I wish I could but unfortunately I’m a stranger myself here. Excuse me, could you direct me to ...? – O.K., I’ll do my best.

MÛÏete mi, prosím, dát informaci o ...? – Zajisté. Mohl(a) byste mi, prosím, fiíci nûco víc o ...? – Ano, ov‰em. Nevíte náhodou ...? – No, pokud si vzpomínám, tak ... MÛÏete mi prosím obstarat ...? – To bohuÏel asi nepÛjde. PromiÀte, mÛÏete mi fiíci, jak se jde do ...? – Udûlal(a) bych to rád(a), ale sám / sama se tu bohuÏel nevyznám. PromiÀte, mÛÏete mi poradit, jak se dostanu do ...? – JistûÏe, vynasnaÏím se.

*** Would you do me a favour? – With pleasure. I have a request to make. – O.K. What is it?

Prokázal(a) byste mi laskavost? – S radostí. Mám k vám prosbu. – Dobrá, oã jde?

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John, there’s something I want to ask you. – O.K., go ahead. Would you pass me ...? – You’re welcome, here you are. Mind if I ...? – By no means. / I don’t. / Not at all. Would you mind telling me ...? – Of course not. May I trouble you to take care of ...? – Oh, no trouble at all. Be so kind as to make a note of it. – I will. Would you care to join? – I’d be pleased to / happy. I wonder if you could ... – I’ll see what I can do. Could you elaborate on that? – That’s just what I was going to do.

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Johne, chci se tû na nûco zeptat. – Dobrá, ven s tím. Podal(a) byste mi laskavû ...? – Prosím, tady to je. Nevadí, kdyÏ ...? – Ale vÛbec ne. ¤ekl(a) byste mi laskavû ...? – Ov‰emÏe. Postaral(a) byste se laskavû o ...? – Ov‰em, Ïádn˘ problém. Poznamenejte si to laskavû. – Jistû. Nechtûl(a) byste se pfiipojit ...? – S radostí. Rád(a) bych vûdûl(a), zda byste mohl(a) ...? – Uvidím, co se dá dûlat. Mohl(a) byste to blíÏe rozvést? – K tomu jsem se právû chystal(a).

*** Would you like me to look into the matter? – I’d appreciate it, thank you. May I offer to contact them for you? – It would be very kind of you, thank you. Is there anything else I can do for you? – As a matter of fact, you can. Is there anything I can do to help? – Thank you, I think I can manage myself. I’ll get you some more information. – That would be fine, thanks.

Chcete, abych se na tu vûc podíval(a)? – Byl(a) bych rád(a), dûkuji. Smím nabídnout, Ïe se za vás s nimi spojím? – Bylo by to od vás velmi laskavé, dûkuji. Mohu pro vás je‰tû nûco udûlat? – Vlastnû ano. Mohu b˘t nûjak nápomocen / nápomocna? – Díky, myslím, Ïe to nûjak zvládnu. SeÏenu vám je‰tû víc informací. – To by bylo fajn, díky.

*** Hurry up. – It can’t go faster. Can you speed it up? – I’ll try / do my best.

Pospû‰ si. – Rychleji uÏ to nejde. MÛÏe‰ to urychlit? – VynasnaÏím se.

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Surprise

Pfiekvapení

Well, that’s a surprise. – It certainly is. I was astonished at the news. – So was I. It’s amazing. Well, I never. It sounds incredible. – Yet it’s true. Thanks

To je ale pfiekvapení. – To tedy je. UÏasl(a) jsem nad tou zprávou. – Já také. Je to ohromující. No tohle! Zní to neuvûfiitelnû. – Pfiesto je to pravda. Podûkování

Thanks a lot for having helped me. – You’re welcome. I’m very much obliged / grateful to you. – That’s all right. Thank you for ... – Anytime. You’ve done me a great favour, thank you. – Don’t mention it.

Moc dûkuji, Ïe jste mi pomohl(a). – Prosím. Jsem vám velmi zavázán(a) / vdûãen / vdûãna. – To je v pofiádku. Dûkuji vám za ... – Rádo se stalo. Prokázal(a) jste mi velkou laskavost, dûkuji. – To nestojí za fieã.

3 EXPRESSIONS OF THE BUSINESS WORLD BUSINESS CALLS Calls at firms often start with conversations at reception desks or with secretaries. Here are some variations that may be overheard here: Good morning / afternoon, I’m looking for Mrs ... – Good morning / afternoon. I’ll see if she’s in. Could I see Mr ..., please? – Yes, certainly. Could I have your name, please? I talked with Mr ... over the phone a while ago. Can I see him for a minute? – Yes, of course, I’ll tell him that you’re here. Would you like to take a seat?

Dobr˘ den, hledám paní ... – Dobr˘ den, podívám se, jestli je u sebe. Mohl(a) bych prosím nav‰tívit pana ...? – Ano, jistû. MÛÏete mi laskavû fiíci va‰e jméno? Pfied chvílí jsem mluvil(a) telefonicky s panem ... Mohu ho na minutku vidût? – Ano, ov‰em, fieknu mu, Ïe jste tady. Nechcete se posadit?

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Good afternoon, can I help you? – Yes, please. I’d like to see ... Is Mrs ... in her office, please? – Do you have an appointment? She’s a busy woman, you know. Hi, I’ve come to see Mr ... – I’m sorry, he’s in a conference at the moment. Excuse me, my name is ... I have an appointment with Mr ... Could / Would you please tell Mrs ... that I’m here? – Certainly. Just a moment, please. Could I have a word with Mr ... from your phone? – Yes, of course, go ahead. Good morning, is Mrs ... in, please? – I’m afraid she’s got a day off today.

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Dobré odpoledne, mohu vám nûjak pomoci? – Ano prosím. Chtûl(a) bych nav‰tívit ... Je paní ... u sebe v kanceláfii, prosím vás? – Máte s ní domluvenou schÛzku? To víte, má hodnû práce. Nazdar, pfii‰el jsem nav‰tívit pana ... – Lituji, má právû teì nûjakou poradu. PromiÀte, jmenuji se ... Mám schÛzku s panem ... Mohl(a) byste laskavû vyfiídit paní ..., Ïe jsem zde? – Jistû. OkamÏik, prosím. Mohl(a) bych si promluvit s panem ... z va‰eho telefonu? – Ano, ov‰em, posluÏte si. Dobré jitro, je prosím paní ... pfiítomna? – Je mi líto, ale má dneska volno.

SMALL TALK As already explained earlier, for business partners the small talk is a kind of warm-up that starts right after they have got together. It is primarily a part of the social aspect of business and also a welcome opportunity for both partners to assess each other. By all means, small talk is only an ouverture to a real business discussion which is the final and decisive stage that interests both partners most. Did you have a good trip? – Yes, it was quite all right, except ... How was the flight? – A little bumpy in the clouds but still better than last time when ... Is the weather the same in your country? – I wish it were. Isn’t it cold today? – Yes, quite a bit. Is this your first visit? – No, I was already here in ...

Mûl(a) jste dobrou cestu? – Ano, docela dobrou, aÏ na ... Jak˘ byl let? – Trochu to v mracích tfiáslo, ale pofiád to bylo lep‰í neÏ minule, kdy ... Máte u vás doma stejné poãasí? – KéÏ by bylo. To je dnes zima, Ïe? – Ano, dost. Je to va‰e první náv‰tûva? – Ne, byl(a) jsem tu uÏ v roce ...

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Have you been to London before? – No, I haven’t, I’m sorry to say. Did you have any difficulty in finding us? – Not at all, the sketch you sent me was perfect. What do you think of the city? – I haven’t seen much of it yet, I’m afraid. How long will you be staying? – Well, a couple of days, I guess. Would you like a cup of coffee? – Yes, please, regular, if I may.

Byl(a) jste uÏ nûkdy v Lond˘nû? – K mojí lítosti je‰tû ne. Bylo tûÏké nás najít? – VÛbec ne, ten náãrtek, co jste mi poslal(a), byl perfektní. Co si myslíte o tomhle mûstû? – BohuÏel jsem z nûj je‰tû zatím moc nevidûl(a). Jak dlouho se zdrÏíte? – Myslím, Ïe pár dní. Dáte si ‰álek kávy? – Ano, dûkuji, s mlékem a cukrem, mohu-li si vybrat / je-li to moÏné. Do you smoke? – I quit just a year ago. Koufiíte? – Pfiestal(a) jsem právû pfied rokem. How did you manage? – Oh, doctor’s Jak jste to dokázal(a)? – Na radu / advice, you know. doporuãení lékafie, to víte. I like your offices. – Thank you. They Líbí se mi va‰e kanceláfie. – Dûkuji. are a lot better than the old ones, for Jsou dozajista o hodnû lep‰í neÏ ty sure. staré. I’m pleased to be here after a trip like Jsem rád(a), Ïe mám tu (hroznou) cethat. – I can imagine that. stu za sebou. – To si dovedu pfiedstavit. A funny thing happened on my way Cestou jsem mûl(a) zábavnou pfiíhodu. here. – You don’t say. What was it? – Nefiíkejte. Co to bylo? I’ve noticed you have a new secretary. V‰iml(a) jsem si, Ïe máte novou sekre– Yes, Mrs ... decided just two months táfiku. – Ano, paní ... se právû pfied ago to finally retire. We’ll miss her. dvûma mûsíci koneãnû rozhodla jít do penze. Bude nám chybût. Does Frank still work in your departPracuje je‰tû Frank ve va‰em oddûlení? ment? – Yes, he’s still going strong. – Ano, je‰tû je pofiád ve formû. Chtûl Would you like to see him? I can byste ho vidût? Mohu mu hned zavocall him rightaway. lat. Congratulations on your promotion. – Blahopfieji k va‰emu pov˘‰ení. – Ach, Oh, that’s very considerate of you, to je od vás velmi pozorné, dûkuji. thank you.

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Did you hear that ...? – Yes, Frank told me. Would you have believed that ...? How’s business these days? – Lousy, to put it mildly. How has your export business developed? – Not bad, I think. We are up about twenty per cent this year, I believe. What are your other operations? – Well, we’ve just started a new business in ... We’re planning to open a new office in ... shortly. Well, I think it’s time to get started. – Yes, I agree. Now let’s get down to business, shall we? – O.K. I’m ready / all set.

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Sly‰el(a) jste, Ïe ...? – Ano, Frank mi o tom fiekl. Byl(a) byste vûfiil(a), Ïe ...? Jak teì jdou obchody? – Mírnû fieãeno, mizernû. Jak se vyvíjejí va‰e v˘vozy? – Myslím, Ïe to není ‰patné. Mám za to, Ïe jsme letos asi o dvacet procent v˘‰. V jak˘ch jin˘ch oborech je‰tû pracujete? – No, teì jsme zrovna zaãali podnikat v ... Chystáme se brzo otevfiít novou kanceláfi v ... NuÏe, myslím, Ïe je ãas, abychom zaãali. – Ano, souhlasím. A teì pfiejdûme k vûci, co fiíkáte? – Dobrá, jsem pfiipraven(a).

MEETINGS The following phrases are examples of what can be heard at various stages of meetings, from opening addresses over introductions to closings, including solicitation of opinions and suggestions. Ladies and gentlemen, are we ready to start? Shall we get started? It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this meeting. I’d like to welcome you on behalf of ... I declare the plenary meeting open. Mr ... has the floor.

Dámy a pánové, mÛÏeme zaãít? Zaãneme? Je mi potû‰ením pfiivítat vás na této schÛzi. Chci vás pfiivítat jménem ... Prohla‰uji plenární schÛzi za zahájenou. Slovo má pan ...

*** The report of the committee is approved. The secretary will keep the minutes.

Zpráva v˘boru je schválena. Sekretáfi(ka) udûlá zápis.

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I would like to begin by ... We are here this morning to discuss ... We have called this meeting to discuss ... What I’d like to do this morning is to ... Let me give you an overview of ... My task today is to recapitulate ... I’m going to start my annual report with ... I’d like to bring you up to date on ...

Rád(a) bych zahájil(a) tím, Ïe ... Dnes dopoledne jsme tu proto, abychom projednali ... Svolali jsme tuto poradu, abychom projednali ... Dnes bych rád(a) ... Dovolte mi podat pfiehled o ... M˘m dne‰ním úkolem je zrekapitulovat ... Zaãnu svou v˘roãní zprávu ... (ãím) Rád(a) bych vám podal(a) poslední informace o ... Zaãnu tím, Ïe se znovu vrátím k ...

I will start by reviewing ...

*** What do you think about it? – In my opinion / To my view / As I see it ... Do you have any views on this? – As far as I’m concerned I believe that ... How do you feel about that? – One solution would be ... Have you thought about ...? – That’s just one of the alternatives I have in mind. Have you considered ...? – I think we have. One possibility is to ... I think we should ... – This is really a very pertinent point. It seems to me that we should seriously consider ... – There is certainly a merit in this remark. Do you feel that ...? – It has never crossed my mind.

Co o tom soudíte? – Podle mého názoru ... Máte na to nûjak˘ názor? – Pokud jde o mû, jsem pfiesvûdãen(a), Ïe ... Jak to vnímáte? – Jedním fie‰ením by bylo ... Pomyslili jste na ...? – To je právû jedna z tûch alternativ, které mám na mysli. Vzali jste do úvahy ...? – Myslím, Ïe ano. Jednou moÏností je ... Myslím, Ïe bychom mûli ... – Tenhle podnût je opravdu na místû. Zdá se mi, Ïe bychom mûli váÏnû uvaÏovat o ... – Tahle poznámka má urãitû nûco do sebe. Domníváte se, Ïe ...? – To mne nikdy nenapadlo.

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I have a suggestion to make. – All right, what is it? I’d like to propose that ... – It sounds interesting. May I add that ...

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Mám návrh. – Dobrá, tak co to je? Chci navrhnout, aby ... – Zní to zajímavû. Chtûl(a) bych k tomu je‰tû dodat, Ïe ... To, co navrhuji, je ... Nemyslím si, Ïe bychom mûli ... – Já také ne. Proã nezkusíme ...?

What I’m suggesting is ... I don’t think we should ... – Neither do I. Why don’t we try ...?

*** Formal: I wish to move that ... The motion should be put to the vote. Let me submit to you the draft of the resolution. The resolution was adopted by a majority vote. I declare the meeting closed. Thank you for your attendance.

Formálnû: Navrhuji, aby ... O návrhu by se mûlo hlasovat. Dovolte mi pfiedloÏit vám návrh usnesení. Usnesení bylo schváleno vût‰inou hlasÛ. Prohla‰uji schÛzi za ukonãenou. Dûkuji vám za úãast.

Part

C EXERCISES

1 Give at least five forms of personal contact: ................................................................................................................................. 2 Give at least five places of personal contact: ................................................................................................................................. 3 a) b) c) d) e)

What are the usual phases of personal contact?

......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... .........................................................................................................................

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4 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

Which of the expressions in each line does not fit in and why?

5 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7)

Give the opposites and explain their meaning:

6

With reference to various parts of the textbook give appropriate answers to the following questions and statements:

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

Please excuse me for being late. Would you like me to look into the matter? Would you mind spelling your name? How are you? I’m glad to see you. How are you getting on? How are you feeling? How’s everybody at home? May I offer you a cup of coffee? How would you like it? I’ve got a few questions to ask you.

7 1)

2)

conversation / talk / announcement / dialogue / chat opening / meeting / encounter / date / session greeting / statement / courtesy / salutation / welcome opportunity / chance / suggestion / occasion / occurrence report / account / information / review / opinion letter / memo / discussion / notice / advice

strong points incoming front office vote in favour approve open a meeting factual talk

............................................................................................. ............................................................................................. ............................................................................................. ............................................................................................. ............................................................................................. ............................................................................................. .............................................................................................

Underline the right expression:

On arriving in London, Mr Novák was given a list of conferences / meetings / appointments / dates with his firm’s clients which was prepared by the local agent. Fairs afford convenient opportunities / chances / facilities / occasions for large-scale presentation of products.

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3) Personal selling requires good communication qualities / properties / skills / possibilities. 4) They changed / exchanged / switched / extended their business cards. 5) The secretary took a note / notice / notion of the date. 6) Small talk is a kind of business talk / factual talk / business discussion / social conversation. 7) At the annual meeting, the managing director presented a(n) review / suggestion / achievement / approval of the company’s recent activities. Put the following activities in proper order:

8 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

approve decisions by voting close the meeting pass a resolution give a report on past achievements summon the meeting present suggestions during a discussion

9 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8)

Can I be of any help? Sorry, I think you’re wrong. Would you mind telling me ...? Can I go ahead? In my opinion ... Thanks a lot. – You’re welcome. I’m much obliged to you. First of all, we’d like to discuss ...

10 1) 2) 3)

The importance of personal contacts in business Our company meetings My favourite subject of conversation

Express the same idea in a different way:

................................................................. ................................................................. ................................................................. ................................................................. ................................................................. ................................................................. ................................................................. .................................................................

Write essays:

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Part

D SPECIMENS

1 BUSINESS CARD Business cards serve for an easy, fast and relatively comprehensive information on partners who frequently exchange them at encounters of various kinds. At reception desks, these cards help the receptionist to introduce the caller to relevant employees or departments. At offices, caller’s cards are often filed in card index boxes and kept there for later reference whenever needed. They can be looked up for names, addresses and telephone numbers whenever a partner has to be contacted either by post or by phone.

EEC

Suresh Nanda Managing Director

EASTERN ENGINEERING CO. LTD. Phone: 6411523-400533 Fax: +92-13-4820523 e-mail: [email protected]

Office: 620, Qamar House, Jinan Rd. 74000 Bombay

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2 NOTICE OF A MEETING

GOLDEN HOPE PLANTATION BERHAD NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Twentieth Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at the Pacific Ballroom, Pan Pacific Hotel, 2054 Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Wednesday, 18th September 2004, at 11:30 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive and adopt the Report of the Directors, the Audited Accounts for the year ended 30th June, 2004, and the Report of the Auditors thereon. – Resolution 1 2. To declare a final dividend for the financial year ended 30th June, 2004. – Resolution 2 3. To approve the Directors’ fees for the financial year ended 30th June, 2004. – Resolution 3 4. To re-elect the following Directors pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Association: i) Zain Azahari bin Abidin – Resolution 4 ii) Dr Chong Kin – Resolution 5 iii) Abd Wahab bin Maskan – Resolution 6 5. To re-appoint Messers. Ernst & Young as the Company’s auditors and to authorize the Directors to fix remuneration. – Resolution 7 6. To transact any other ordinary business of the Company of which due notice has been received. By Order of the Board Norlin Binti Abdul Samad Secretary

Kuala Lumpur 27th August, 2004

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