Thursday 29 August 2013

Sales Terminology, Looking for a Bookkeeper, Hardware Deductions, WebVisions Conference, Tomorrow's Meeting,Tomorrow's Meeting, Happy Shareholders



Dialog 8                                              Sales Terminology



 

Julian: I'm new to this job, could you explain some of the terminology?
Jack: That's what I'm here for. Shoot.
Julian: What's the difference between retail and wholesale?
Jack: Wholesale is to distributors. Retail to consumers.
Julian: Distributors? Consumers?
Jack: Distributors are stores that sell our merchandise. Consumers are the people who buy the products.
Julian: Oh, I see. What's a bill of lading?
Jack: The bill of lading lists the merchandise shipped. It's included with every shipment or delivery.
Julian: I get what pre-paid means. That means the merchandise has been paid for. But, what's C.O.D.?
Jack: Cash on delivery.
Julian: What does that mean?
Jack: Exactly what it says: cash is paid upon receiving the goods. Of course, it could be a credit card or a check, as well.
Julian: Oh, I understand. What's a delivery fee?
Jack: The delivery fee is an extra charge that the customer pays to have the goods delivered.
Julian: I think I'm beginning to understand now.

Key Vocabulary
retail
wholesale
distributor
consumer       
merchandise
bill of lading
pre-paid
COD - Cash on Delivery
to receive goods
fee









Dialog 9                                              Looking for a Bookkeeper


Bruce: Have you finished the balance sheets yet?
Alice: I've been working on them since 10 this morning. I'm almost done.
Bruce: No need to rush. I don't need them until tomorrow morning.
Alice: Janet told me we're looking for a new bookkeeper. Is that true?
Bruce: Yes, We've been looking, but no luck yet.
Alice: I know someone who'd be perfect.
Bruce: Oh really, does she have any experience?
Alice: Of course, she's been working for Smith CPA and Co. since 2004.
Bruce: Great. Ask her to come in for an interview.
Alice: Sounds good. She's not too happy in her current position. I'm sure she'll be interested in interviewing for the job.
Bruce: Oh, I almost forgot to ask ... have you opened the new accounts at Wells Fargo?
Alice: Yes, I have. Here are the account numbers, PIN number, and paperwork.
Bruce: Thanks. Well, let me know when you finish those balance sheets.
Alice: Sure, I should be done soon.


Key Vocabulary
balance sheet
to rush
bookkeeper
CPA
account number
PIN number
paperwork

                                   








Dialog 10                                           



Hardware Deductions

 

Mr. Sanders: Mark can we talk for a moment?
Mark: Sure, Mr. Sanders. What would you like to discuss?
Mr. Sanders: I'd like to look into the Johnson account for a moment.
Mark: I did the bookkeeping yesterday and updated the balance sheet.
Mr. Sanders: Yes, I don't understand some of these deductions.
Mark: Do you mean the amortization costs?
Mr. Sanders: You deducted $35,000 for depreciation of hardware.
Mark: That's based on their accounting criteria. I got the amount from their bookkeeper.
Mr. Sanders: It seems too much to me.
Mark: Remember that computer equipment tends to depreciate faster than office furniture.
Mr. Sanders: I guess so. I'll take your word for it. Did they approve the balance?
Mark: Yes, it was OKed yesterday afternoon.
Mr. Sanders: The net growth looks fantastic this year.
Mark: It sure does! The bottom-line grew by 17%.



Key Vocabulary
to discuss
to look into something
bookkeeping
to update               
balance sheet
amortization
cost
depreciation
hardware
accounting
bookkeeper
computer equipment
office furniture
balance
to take someone's word for something
to ok something
net growth
bottom-line





Dialog 11                                            WebVisions Conference
 
Robert: I'm going to Portland on Thursday. There's a internet expo on. It's called WebVisions.
Alice: What is the schedule like?
Robert: As soon as I arrive, the keynote speech begins.
Alice: ... and after that?
Robert: When the keynote ends, we'll have two hours to check out the booths.
Alice: Are you making any presentations?
Robert: No, I'm just attending this conference.
Alice: Is Tad Wilson presenting?
Robert: No, but he's giving a workshop on Monday.
Alice: When are you coming back?
Robert: I'm flying back on Saturday morning.
Alice: Remember you are meeting with Trevor on Monday morning at nine o'clock sharp!
Robert:Oh, thanks! I forgot about that ...
Alice: Have a good trip!



Key Vocabulary
expo
schedule
keynote speech
to check something out
booth
presentation
to attend
workshop
at X o'clock sharp








Dialog 12                                            Tomorrow's Meeting

Alice: We're having a meeting tomorrow. Can you make it?
Kevin: When is it taking place?
Alice: We're planning on 10 o'clock. Is that OK?
Kevin: Yes, that'll be fine.
Alice: We're going to go over last quarter's sales figures.
Kevin: Good. I have some input I'd like to make.
Alice: Frank is also going to make some suggestions on improving the bottom line.
Kevin: That'll be interesting. He's got keen insights.
Alice: Yes, he's going to outline some new sales strategies.
Kevin: Is Alan attending?
Alice: No, he's flying to San Francisco and won't be able to make it.
Kevin: Oh well, maybe He'll phone in.

Key Vocabulary
to make a meeting
to take place
sales figures
quarter
bottom line
insight
strategy
to phone in





Dialog 13                                            Discussing Ideas at a Meeting

Chairman: I'd like to open today's meeting. Robert?
Robert: First, I'll quickly go over the main points of the last meeting.
Chairman: …. (finishes) , if no one has anything to add, let's move on to today's agenda.
Robert: I suggest we each give a little background on the suggestions we discussed last week.
Chairman:Could you repeat that, please?
Robert: Let's start by going over the research you've done on the suggestions.
Chairman: You'll find most of the information outlined in the summary documents in front of you.
Robert: These figures are interesting. It's clear to me that customer communications are not working as they should.
Chairman: Yes, our marketing efforts really haven't been effective to date.
Robert: I suggest we break up into groups and discuss how we can improve our message.
Chairman: Unfortunately, we're almost out of time. I suggest you submit your ideas on marketing and we can discuss the best next week.
Robert: Before we close, could we quickly discuss the Armstrong situation?

Key Vocabulary
to open a meeting
to go over
main points
to add something to a discussion
agenda
to move on
to give some background
outlined
summary documents
figures
communications
marketing efforts
to date
to break up into groups
out of time
to close a meeting

 


Dialog 14                                            Happy Shareholders
 
Director: Can we go over some figures please?
Assistant: Yes, our shareholders' meeting is soon. I think it'd be a good idea to review the key numbers.
Director: What has our total outlay been this year?
Assistant: Our expenditures are estimated at $4,320,000.
Director: What percentage is that is research and development?
Assistant: About 27%. We've invested heavily in developing some new technologies.
Director: What is our gross operating profit?
Assistant: Approximately 1.4 million.
Director: What kind of margin does that represent?
Assistant: The gross operating margin is at 24% for the year.
Director: That's impressive. That's up from last year, isn't it? About 10 points I think.
Assistant: That's right. We're solidly in the black. As a matter of fact, this is our fifth year straight.
Director: Shareholders will be happy.
Assistant: They should be! This kind of growth in the current market is remarkable.
Director: Hopefully the shareholders won't veto any further R & D allocation.
Assistant: I think they trust the board to continue doing the right thing.

Key Vocabulary
figures
shareholders
key numbers
outlay
expenditure
R & D - Research and Development
gross operating profit
margin
gross operating margin
to be up
in the black - in the red
remarkable
to veto
allocation
the board

Sources: www.eslabout.com