Informal negotiations Look at the following list of phrases used for introducing topics.

Match each introductory phrase with the best comment from the second list. 1. 2. ". $. %. &. a( b( c( d( e( f( I would like to mention a couple of things here, Bill nd what about the !uestion of I#d like to mention Look, what I wanted to talk to you about was I tell you what, I#'e got to tell you straight, this problem of deli'ery the !uality and the packaging of the product. this )ust isn#t good enough. why not try something different* that we weren#t too happy with deli'ery times. rising prices.

Making conditions Look at these e+amples of sentences which refer to the future. a( I can keep the price at the same le'el if you can increase the number of cards. b( If you increase the price, we#ll decrease the order. c( If the prices fall, I will let you know. If , present , present If , present , future Make sentences with the information below, as in the following e+ample. -+ample. you/ make a good offer/ I/ accept If you make a good offer, I#ll accept. 1. 2. ". $. %. &. 0. the parts/ arri'e on time/ production/ start immediately you/ call tomorrow/ I/ ha'e time to talk you/ increase the order/ I/ lower the price we/ not lea'e soon/ we/ arri'e too late we/ take !uality control seriously/ standards/ impro'e they/ promise to deli'er on time/ we/ can be sure they will you/ tell me your arri'al time/ I/ meet you at the airport

1talling In negotiations you sometimes ha'e to say things which are not 'ery easy. In these cases you may need to take a little time to think about the ne+t step. Look at the language in these e+amples. 2ell, maybe, er it really depends on the price. 2ell, I don#t know, Bill . 2ait a minute, Bill. I#ll think about that, Bill. I#ll look into that, -d. 3an I get back to you on that one*

4ractise with a partner. 5ne person reads the sentences below, the other replies according to the instructions in brackets, using the phrases abo'e or something similar. 1. 2. ". $. %. &. 3an you tell me what happened to the latest deli'ery* 6look into( 2e need to take a decision straight away. 6wait( 3an you come to the course in 7une* 6think( 8ow many components will you need ne+t month* 6don#t know( 2ould you like to order more ne+t year* 6depends on the price( 2hat is your attitude to using sub9contractors* 6can#t say now(

Business focus : Materials management and logistics Things People/ Place Process

Verb