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Business English Classes at Pertamina Corporate University

 

 One of the Business English Classes, BPS/BPS Pertamina has just finished their Final exams. it's a great class. 

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