Business discussions around the office

在办公室谈论的日常业务

1) Accountant：Did you send out an invoice to the Sun Electronics Company?

Clerk：Yes. It’s also time to send them a statement now.

A: What’s the total due on their account?

C: they own $350,000

A: Let’s get all the invoices and statements out this afternoon, if we can.

C: I think we can. I’ve already started on them. How often do you send them?

A: We send them monthly.

A: Here’s our accounts department, Mr. Chen.

C: My job will be preparing the monthly statements for customers?

A: Yes. A big part of your job will also be to collect delinquent accounts. We often end up with bad debts.

C: How do you collect them?

A: We generally have to keep sending reminders. If they still don’t pay, we threaten to put the matter in the hands of our lawyer.

Vocabulary：

total due：总欠款数

delinquent accounts：拖欠帐款

bad debts：收不回的欠款

2) Accountant: These are our account folders.

Clerk: Will these files be part of my work?

A: Yes, you’ll need to write new clients’ names on the projecting tab of a folder, then file them alphabetically. And make sure you adjust the file drawers so that the folders are held upright.

C: What do the different colors indicate?

A: These indicate which products are sold to each client. Each of our products is color-coded.

C: So I’ll find the cards for a given client together, color coded to show what products they’ve purchased?

A: Right.

C: That sounds like a good system.

A: Each product, indicated by a different color, is numbered in a separate series. For example, our Ampliphones, represented by red, would be numbered 1-500. Our Portaphones, represented by yellow, would be numbered 501-1001, and so on.

C: That must avoid a lot of mix-ups.

A: Yes, it does. And over here’s our computer system. It’s sophisticated, but quite easy to use.

C: Are these computers used for data entry or billing?

A: We use them mainly for billing.

Vocabulary：

alphabetically：按字母表顺序地

英语为母语的国家常常把名字按照开头字母在字母表中的排列顺序来排列

is numbered：number 这个词可以当动词用，意为“编号”。

在这里使用的是被动语态。

mix-ups：混淆。

注意，这个词还是个可数名词呢，复数记得加s。

经理用语

3) Voice: Mr. White is here to see you.

Jones: OK. Send him in.

White: Hello, Rick. How are you doing today?

Jones: Fine, Matt. What’s up?

White: Certain individuals are not acting very industriously.

Jones: I guess you’re talking about Bailey. Yes, the job he did for Freeman was not good. Everything was a mess. You will have to do it again, I’m afraid.

White: I know. I am going to let him go tomorrow.

Jones: Don’t act hastily, Matt. I know he isn’t well suited for that job. I’m going to have his position changed.

White: Well, I don’t know…

Jones: I want to give him another chance. He can make quick decisions if the situation calls for it. Let bygones be bygones.

White: Well, alright. Say, Rick, are you through for the day?

Jones: Yes. Let’s go have a beer and relax.

White: That sounds like a good idea.

Vocabulary：

Send him in：请他进来

industriously.：努力地，勤勉地

mess：一团糟

Don’t act hastily：别那么着急

Let bygones be bygones：让过去的都过去吧。

4) Gilbert: How is your new plan? Have you figured out what to do?

Newbury: Not exactly. I’m having some problems with Hardy.

Gilbert: He’s the right man for the job, isn’t he?

Newbury: I don’t think so. He is putting it off so that he won’t get done soon.

Gilbert: It sounds like he just wants to draw a paycheck rather than get the job done.

Newbury: Yes. He gets really excited on payday.

Gilbert: If he wants to joke around, he’s doing it with the wrong person. I know how you hate to be slowed down.

Newbury: It’s not just that I don’t like to waste time. There is a recession. We can’t afford to take work for granted. His slow work makes me look bad.

Gilbert: Don’t worry, you’re doing fine. Everyone knows that.

Newbury: All the same. I’m going to let him go tomorrow.

Gilbert: I wish you’d give him another chance.

Newbury: I can’t afford to lose any more business. I hope you understand that.

Gilbert: What must be done must be done.

Vocabulary：

He’s the right man for the job：He is suitable for this job.

put off: 拖延

payday：看字面意思就可以知道，它是“发薪日”的意思。

joke around：闹着玩

recession：不景气，后退

5) Owen: Did you call me to your office, Mr. Hsao?

Hsao: Yes, I did. There’s a problem I must discuss with you.

Owen: Is it about my past performance?

Hsao: No. In the past you have done a good job. There is a problem in the way you are handing this present one.

Owen: You must mean the lawsuit that was filed by ESCO.

Hsao: Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. Have you got a lawyer to take care of your case?

Owen: Yes, I’m sending him to talk with the president of ESCO tomorrow.

Hsao: That’s not good enough. You have to go in person. Call and make an appointment with the president.

Owen: I’ve tried calling them several times but I can never get through.

Hsao: Keep trying. House building is quite lucrative in Beijing now. A construction company like ours cannot afford any delays.

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