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advanced English conversation
well
up
meet Dave Stewart he's the founder and senior partner up then press the
printing
a very successful printing company David Joyce working in love to create new
challenges for himself do this is James Brown
junior partner then press the printing he's a good guy
happy and comfortable with his life
say hello to Anna Baker the secretary have impressed the printing
fantasies all and knows all without her help
impressed that would be a that place up
and this is soo strobel independent financial consultant
she has a helper figures and as a finance with
a true professional she wants when she wants
and where she won poor Thomas Jones
manager Floyd vamp he's not at all good at his job
small-minded and bitter with too afraid to follow his dream
and the first to make life hard for others up
unit
one a new proposal
from
man got
today's been a really busy day about you games how's your day been
I love it is the author of from
just now finishing these financial reports i'm looking for. try a nice cup
of hot coffee
well how'd you like your about my new business proposal
are you interested or not okay let there then
but don't take too long and busy with his report okay if you don't hear about
it that's okay I'd
don't have to tell you okay I'm sorry there is just joking
alright clean you tell me I'm really interested now
well I've been thinking about it for a long time and I think it could be really
profitable to start exporting paperbacks to China
exporting paper bags kinda
I think you need to elaborate well
although they have an oversupply production facilities
one thing they do happen is a shortage of paperbacks and I believe it
how come well since they retool their factories for plastic bag they've been
experiencing a serious shortage paperbacks
and you think we can exploit the situation
I don't see why not it sounds like a good opportunity to make some serious
money as long as we act quickly
gosh today's been a really busy day
about you James how's your day been
I love it is the author of
from
just now finishing these financial reports i'm looking for. try a nice cup
of hot coffee
well
how'd you like your about my new business proposal exporting paper bags
kinda I think you need to elaborate
and you think we can exploit the situation
I don't see why not
it sounds like a good opportunity to make some serious money as long as we
act quickly
unit
to alternatives
exporting paperbacks to China
are
not sure sounds too risky how much investment would you need
well I get some financial calculations earlier
and I reckon that I need 500,000 American dollars for the packaging
facility
and another 250,000 American dollars for the marketing
does that include your expenses
and overheads packaging factories are very expensive to set up and maintain
yes I know I figure I can save money by using our existing facilities and
retraining the staff Ono
you're not saying way
think your say that's right came I'm thinking about giving up the printing
business and trying something new
why things are going so well now
profits are growing every year with the number one
firm in town why should we change I just feel like we've become complacent in our
lives and
we need a new challenge I think it would be a lot of fun okay
a whole before you close everything down
have you thought about the alternatives well can you think about better solution
because I think this is an opportunity that we definitely should not miss
how about this
we borrow the money from the bank and we set up
a brand new facility go on that way we don't have to directly
risk our existing business and if things don't work out
well we have something to fall back on okay sounds like a better idea
allotted to work on the new number and one that got the tomorrow morning
I agree has to be another way
okay of the you tomorrow morning with their numbers
okay does that include your expenses
and overheads packaging factories are very expensive to set up and maintain
I figure I can save money by using our existing facilities and retraining the
stack
why
things are going so well now profits are growing
every year with the number one firm in town
why should we change before you close everything down
have you thought about the alternatives well can you think about better solution
began I think this is an opportunity that we
definitely should not miss allotted to work on a new number
and we'll discuss that tomorrow morning unit
3 what's on the agenda
good morning mister stewart
ok good morning at what's on the agenda for today
well this morning you have a meeting with chain
right has he come to the office yet now he called
he said he'll be here by Paul that's fine and what else is going on today
your computer have called and the Macintosh have already arrived
outstanding that's good account Chamber of Commerce
a fact that the length op importers and distributors the public and Helio
well done of here
confirmation from the Department of Trade regarding protests and
restrictions for the expert paperbacks
night good those people have rules for everything
11:30 a cell phone from
Office Max like to meet with you about what with about
office supplies and furniture I don't want to meet with that guy Anna
I'm if you take care of that for me please sugar
how can we meet with him thanks Anna I get people according to make any
purchase decision
it's all up to you I trust you right
came to 0 finally Forbes magazine called
they will like to interview you for future article
really that's interesting up
schedule them for lunch next Friday I already have with this new york
thank you Anna I don't know what I would do without you well
that's why you pay me the big bucks miss the Steelers good morning it up
what's on the agenda for today wow this morning you have a meeting with chains
and what else is going on today
account Chamber of Commerce
have fact that the length op importers and distributors the public and Helio
I don't want to meet with that guy Anna
I'm could you take care of that for me please
I give you full authority to make any purchase decision
ok finally
Forbes magazine called they would like to interview you
for future article really
that's interesting crop schedule them for lunch next Friday
units for
making a query
group
those numbers can be tricky you want some help
for me ratios in percentages cause nothing but headaches and confusing
pools tough I've done it a few times before
if you'd like you can double check all my calculations
well okay I better take a look because I don't want to make any mistakes in with
time on this
class I want to have a better understanding about the cost involved
okay well back take a look at what I have hat
any questions or comments please feel free to ask
okay thanks paid James
I have a question for you you've entered a legal charges under the fixed cost
heading
I yes so I have
are you sure that's correct shouldn't that be a variable cost
technically speaking
yes it should be a variable cost
now would you like to explain it to me you
may not agree well I don't care
I want you to explain it this is important okay
by entering 13 charges
fixed costs as opposed to very low cost and we can make a bigger detection are
income tax statement for the first year wait a minute
if this legal strictly speaking
and no this is not hot legal why
should I remind you that we are businessmen and not politicians
we should be doing everything by the book
for not actually breaking any laws
all I did was just follow common accounting practices
everybody does it this way James I'm not sure I like the sound of death
throws numbers can be tricky
you want some help walls
top I've done it a few times before if you'd like you can double check all my
calculations
back take a look at what I have have any questions or comments please feel free
to ask
paid games
I have a question for you you've entered a legal charges under the fixed cost
heading
are you sure that's correct
shouldn't that be a variable cost pro
not actually breaking any laws all I did was just follow
common accounting practices everybody got the display
unit
5 getting help
food
Kb
like to ask you a question sure thing
what what do you think if we bring in somebody from
outside the company to help with the figures what do you mean
well both of us are going to be very busy with the many details of setting up
a new factory
pride and I think it's okay for both of us to admit that working with numbers is
not a strong point
up
fair enough okay given a UN I have needed the
experience for the expertise for number crunching
wouldn't you agree that it makes sense for both the bus to hire an outside
consultant to help with the numbers
food I agree
everything that followed all I'm happy you agree
can you think of anyone who may be qualified for the position
yes actually about food
new which do through
global the financial consultant the woman who repairs are
corporate taxes every year ride up court
new well she's a genius with numbers
well what are we calling to see if he's available I'm not sure
as a consultant who works on a freelance basis
okay I'll have an A caller to set up a meeting to see if she's available in
interested in this project
Kb
like to ask you a question what do you think
if we bring in somebody from outside the company to help with the figures
well
both of us are going to be very busy with the many details of setting up a
new factory
I agree
the reason the solid can you think of anyone who may be qualified for the
position
to throw ball the financial consultant
the woman who repairs are
corporate taxes every year what are we calling to see if he's available
I'm not sure
as a consultant who works on a freelance basis
unit
6 making an appointment
Anna please set up an appointment with
to strobel the financial consultant I'd like to meet with her at
soon as possible reddaway mister stewart
this is who struggle house say who this is added a pair of impressive printing
calling
hey how are you couldn't be better Bay
and yourself PK he's my clothes the simple were so I don't have much to do
I'm taking things easy what's on your mind well
feuding asked me to set up an appointment with you at your earliest
convenience
real and what would it be about while
they didn't change are working on a new project they'd like you to go double
check their figures in accounting
from media those guys that good with numbers
the phone I know it and you know soon yes
well he didn't hear this from me but I don't think that gave me
ask you to be a full-time consumer confidence Patrick
real that would be great okay
I am free tomorrow anytime is fine how about me here
and 3 p.m. perfect see you then
see you but I Anna
police set up an appointment with sue strobel
the financial consultant I'd like to meet with her at soon as possible
what's on your mind
well
feuding asked me to set up an appointment with you at your earliest
convenience
while
they didn't change are working on a new project they'd like you to go double
check their figures in accounting
how about meeting here
and 3 p.m. unit
7 shall we go for lunch
you wanna go for lunch yes I'm
so hungry I could eat a horse or Tuesday
well why don't we go for French food at has only
joking so what do you fancy well we need to go for Thai Italian or Chinese
whichever one is cheaper than the quickest because I want to get back here
and finish this paperwork before the end of today
well the Thai restaurant is always the cheapest but
sometimes the food low and the Italian restaurant had a good
that menu but it's about 30 percent more expensive
what about the Chinese car you know the Chinese
we always regretted every time we go there because we always eat too much
so many choices what do you reckon
well I'd quite like to go for Kalyan wiry
just had Italian last week I'm in the mood for pizza today
10 show you drive right
well I think I'll Drive your route decision-making really scares me
for you to park well
hopefully we'll be able to park outside the restaurant we'll have to wait and
see if we get there
cerska you wanna go for lunch
yes
I'm so hungry I could eat a horse
or Tuesday
but why do we go for French food at has only
joking so what do you fancy whichever one is cheaper than the quickest
well
the Thai restaurant is always the cheapest but sometimes the food slow
and the Italian restaurant had a good
that menu but it's about 30 percent more expensive
so many choices
what do you reckon well
I'd quite like to go for Kalyan I think I'll Drive your route decision-making
really scares me
unit
8 weighing up the options
came
we have to make some important decisions regarding the location at the new plant
I know I was just thinking about it this morning
now we can place it either near to the airport for fast air freight link
or near to the river for access to the ports in the sea
well in your opinion
what are the benefits things well if we're by the airport
then we can obviously use the air freight services and a response time and
delivery speeds will be very impressive up with that also sells by the water
well I response times and delivery speeds will be slower
but we'll be able to deliver a much larger quantity of goods
at a much cheaper price forthright
not to mention real estate by the water is much more realistically priced
how they couldn't afford a large warehouse by the airport
what I thought might be a good idea was to set up the main facility
near the river and then a small office in storage facility
near to the airport good idea
that way we can still see product by the pair
and we have the option of expanding in the future in that direction
if there's enough demand why do we get the bill
I want to get back to the office to make some phone calls whose turn is it to pay
I forgot well
how about that you pay for lunch
or for dinner tonight the choice is yours all paper
there tonight in years can take care bit Danielle
ok
came
we have to make some important decisions regarding the location at the new plant
I know
I was just thinking about it this morning well in your opinion
what are the benefits things how they couldn't afford
a large warehouse by the airport why do we get the bill
I want to get back to the office make some phone calls whose turn is it to pay
well
how about this you pay for lunch
or for dinner tonight the choice is yours now paper dinner tonight in years
can take care
this unit
9 checked this before we go will you
hey James all what day did we say we were going to the bookstore
I think I told you that we will go together on Tuesday
okay thanks for reminding me I nearly forgot
you do realize that
today Tuesday are you still free to go to the bookstore with me
yep sure I'm ready to go I just needed to check with you to see when we plan to
go
that's all okay before we go
need you to clarify these numbers with me
okay have a look at the third column how me if you think that export estimate is
right
yes there they seem to be correct
I if we're expecting at twenty percent increase in
export volume from two hundred thousand times a year
then your calculation of 240,000 tonnes years right on
okay of I just wanted you to have a look at it to make sure that I had made any
mistakes than
I'm can take a look at the car allowance of
yeah these look good too
a if we had 7 manager
and the allowances fifteen thousand dollars a year
then your calculation about a hundred and five thousand dollars a year is
right
okay one last point for you
our total company
thoughtful contribution is one percent have our net profit
that's right you think we should increase it I think there's no need for
that
K hey are you feeling okay
you know if I'm well worth a little bit tired
aren't members are making me feel very confused really afraid I might
makes the air you do look a little pale
why don't you go take a rest well I meet with to I would be a good idea
then if this meeting goes well
we won't have to worry about working with number so much and we can focus on
more important things
of that would be so nice
hey James
all what day did we say we were going to the bookstore I think I told you that we
will go together on Tuesday
before we go
need you to clarify these numbers with me
I just wanted you to have a look at it to make sure that I had made a mistake
can take a look at the car allowance of
that's right
do you think we should increase it aren't members are making me feel very
cool
really afraid I might
make the air you do look a little pale
why don't you go take a rest well I meet with
to unit
10 when meetings
hello with these two white
hi do thank you so much for coming up that short notice keep
fully fit well usually only call for my
services during pathfinder sold I feel you must be imported
actually it is kinda important very important really
free what do you think you would like me to do
well I would like you to look over these calculations that teams and I have
prepared
and let me know if you think there's anything that
wrong or that you're unsure of would you like me to just look over the speed your
store
actually we calculate everything by myself if it's not too much trouble
could you also make your own calculations I think that would be a
much more thorough way of doing things don't you
and also a lot more time consuming time-consuming yes
through let me tell you what I would like you to do
look over the and I think that you'll be able to figure out what we're up to
yes and and then if you're interested
and available I'd like to hire you at the financial consultant for this
project
so in other words you would like to offer me a job
that's right if you'd like could it be you doing
or is it a secret now it's no secret we're going to expand our business
is that now yes that's right paperback paperback
paperback to China
people back to china boom
sounds interesting okay company hi
do thank you so much for coming up that short notice what do you think you would
like me to do
well
I would like you to look over these calculations that James and I have
prepared
and let me know if you think there's
anything that's wrong or that you're unsure of if you're interested
and available I'd like to hire you at the financial consultant for this
project
so in other words you would like to offer me a job
what it will be you doing
or is it a secret unit
11 offering possibilities
wake up
I am awake
what time is it dinnertime
pay got some good news and bad news for you
go can be the good news first
okay new
is going to join their keep that is great
fourth the bad news %uh the bad news is I'm taking her out to dinner
to celebrate her joining our team I thought you and I were supposed to go
shopping
well I'm sorry but something else come up in
well it's late now besides we can go shopping tomorrow
yes both though are you expecting me to have to everything you guys
I'll only if you feel like it on unlike you can go home or you can stay here and
work on the new proposal
maybe I just stay here and work
there's a lot to be finalized before we can meet our baby next week
okay I'm do you want me to bring anything to eat
good idea maybe just
hamburger and french fries okay
would you like cheese on that no thanks and no man either
hate that stuff pay
got some good news and bad news for you can be the good news
first the bad news is I'm taking her out to dinner
to celebrate her joining our team when I thought you and I were supposed to go
shopping
well
I'm sorry but something else come up in well it's late now
besides
we can go shopping tomorrow are you expecting me to have to share with you
guys
maybe I just stay here and work
there's a lot to be finalized before we can meet with our bank next week
do you want me to bring anything to eat
unit 12 planning
an important meeting
so I'll
who from the bank are we supposed to be meeting with well either a third
Joan the bank manager or mister smith have a terrible well
who do you think we can get a better deal with the remember the last time we
met with them
yes between Joan gave it up
five hundred thousand dollar loan and then the chairman tempted as in later
with
six hundred thousand dollar loan and a 20 percent
overdraft facility that's right
so why not just make an appointment with mister smith
then because Joan
says this Smith is out of the country and he doesn't know when he'll be back
it seems as though mister Jones is intent on making things difficult for
seem so well we may need to take your business elsewhere
have already one step ahead of you
have already begun contacting other banks good job
find out what you can about foreign banks to
maybe I should join you in a few for dinner
look at that this whole banking matter more
okay but this is the social dinner to welcome do not a business dinner
all work and no play is not a balanced lifestyle came
perhaps I'd better stay here and work then
a few work relax you can stay here
or go out to dinner as you like so I'll
who from the bank are we supposed to be meeting with well either a third
Joan the bank manager or mister smith have a terrible well
who do you think we can get a better deal with the remember the last time we
met with them
so why not just make an appointment with mister smith
then well we may need to take their business elsewhere
have already one step ahead of you
have already begun contacting other bank
good job
find out what you can about foreign banks to
unit
13 expressing a wish
I
question with Friday why do you wish that
this Friday is my favorite day the day before the weekend and that means I can
relax
out of all things in the world to wait for you wish you could be Friday
yeah sure would you wish for
0 have ever heard the saying
it wishes were horses then beggars would ride at all thank for
my father used to tell that to me all the time in fact my grandfather used to
say to my father all the time
those are worth a with them let me pay James
I don't whisper anything you don't
no I don't I think goals for myself
than I do whatever happened to achieve that goal
wall yeah
10 James I don't whisper things that I can have I've that goal
goals for anything and in that way I can assure
anything I want let's be
so I itself changed for sure I have which is that they never come true
or set goals for yourself that you can actually I like your way of thinking
hey by the way you contact your bank manager
up yes they did I told him that we would like to arrange a meeting with the bank
chairman and I hope you didn't seem upset that we're going around
anything okay probably wasn't expecting this
crap I don't think he was overly surprised
I just hope he doesn't try to block our meeting with the chair
yes I agree hope it doesn't try anything funny with us
I really need this meeting to go forward out of all things in the world to wait
for
you wish you could be Friday I set goals for myself
and then I do
whatever happened to achieve that goal for sure I have which is that may never
come true
or set goals for yourself that you can actually I like your way of thinking
hey by the way
you contact your bank manager yes they did
I told him that we would like to arrange a meeting with the bank chairman
I hope it didn't seem upset that we're going around
anything okay
probably wasn't expecting this unit
14
trying to arrange the meeting
p
lol
hello mister brown promised Joseph Lloyds Banking holding for you
online 3 thank you Anna hello James Brown speaking
hello mister brown missus
com afternoon calling from fort bragg how are you today
for hello mister Jones how nice if you to call
have you managed to arrange a meeting with that mister smith for us yet
not yet making a meeting with mister smith is
easier said than done perhaps you find it more convenient to you
speak with me really
you do you know that we were really hoping to get in to see
him before the end of the fiscal year
yes well as you know
mister smith and I'm very busy man we are all
very busy running our own businesses you know
so both mister stewart and myself
really hope that you will find a way to
get us into mister smith
very busy schedule ir fully understand how you feel
but I hope that you'd be as comfortable talking to me
at you with mister smith if you cannot see him
as I'm sure
you are aware impressed the printing have been very
good customers at your bank over the years and as you know
we always strive to take care for very best customers
consequently sometimes we would expect to be treated
as loyal customers should be you know Impreza printing has done more than
7 million dollars the business this year low
you know be a real shame to have to
take their business elsewhere wouldn't you agree mister Jones
okay
I well liaise with mister smith secretary later this afternoon
and we'll see what we can come up with for you you do that mister kemp
it was so nice talking to you and I expect to be hearing from you
very said good day mister brown
have you managed to arrange a meeting with that mister smith for us yet
not yet
making a meeting with mister smith is easier said than done
perhaps
you'd find it more convenient to you speak with me you
do you know that we were really hoping to get into the sea
him before the end of the fiscal year
yes well
as you know mister smith and I'm very busy man
you know be a real shame to have to
take their business elsewhere wouldn't you agree mister Jones
it was so nice talking to you
and I expect to be hearing from you very
said unit
15 how was the phone call
well
committed
did you speak to mister Jones yet yeah
just got off the phone with about 20 minutes ago go tell me
with difficult was any let's just say
but I made myself perfectly clear to him on this matter
did you get your point wealthy
he's gonna call again what if he remains on
able to help us Co he's able to help us
question at the want to help us we can really afford to waste too much time
with him
what about the other banks would have you found out about them
grow Barkley NTSB know if my reputation
and they're both interested good that's good
had a both so that we can make an appointment with them
whatever's convenient for us great from I like that and what have you found out
about the foreign bank
iPhone with One Bank com China global
room they have offices in the United States and they have programs to assist
in the fed up with new businesses
really that sounds promising heavy schedule an appointment with them
no not yet do sell
make it pretty soon as possible okay
done I've never worked with a foreign bank before there could be some very
exciting opportunities here
go tell me
with difficult was any let's just say
but I made myself perfectly clear to him on this matter
what if he remains on
able to help us he's
able to help us the question at the want to help us
we can really afford to waste too much time with him Barkley NTSB north by
reputation
and they're both interested and what have you found out about the foreign
bank
heavy schedule an appointment with them
I've never worked for the foreign bank before
there could be some very exciting opportunities here
unit
16 unplanned departure
okay
okay think if I
making plans for this weekend
actually yes I have to go out of town for a funeral
all I'm sorry to hear that my condolences
I'm into parts of your loved one she's a distant relative
I've only met her once or twice she's my cousins grandmother
human form how he died old age
she was 97 years old she was making cookies in the kitchen and she just
needled overdyed 97 years old
how about that through living history
what a way to go 97 see around the energy to cook
I should be so helpful yeah she remained active for
whole life she didn't look at day over 75 I'm
how many days will you be gone well only be gone for three days but there's so
much work to be done here
and worry about it will cover for you
the return it's only three days named and just keep on keeping on until you
get back
and miss anywhere you think will call you don't you even think about not going
you should pay your respects the relative yeah
and her for the whole family will be dedicated yep that's true
there's nothing like a funeral or a marriage to bring people together
making plans for this weekend
actually yes
I have to go out of town for a funeral my condolences on a departure for your
loved one
I'm
how many days will you be gone only be gone for three days but there's so much
work to be done here
don't worry about it
will cover for you the return don't you even think about not going
you should pay your respects the relative
yep that's true
there's nothing like a funeral or a marriage to bring people together
unit 17
how are things
pet
good morning impress the printing this is Anna Baker
a good morning Anna with a steward
how I think I'm OK think you're going along well
how are things there going great that good
how did your meeting with the sales rack up very good
his practice for many things were quite reasonable so stopped up an office
supply
like what for you know paperclip
stable 84 paper glue both anything
okay good good hand pence in our company logo to
how good I like those pay anything major going on in the office that I should
know about
nope we're holding down the fort here for you great
head games come in yet if he had could you transfer me to him
of course thanks vanna oh one more thing
yes I'll be arriving tomorrow at 1:30 in the afternoon
on United Airlines flight 103 6 I'll have the driver waiting for you there
great thanks okay past me along two games now please
see to Martha Stewart by mister stewart
how are things how did your meeting with the sales rack up
pay anything major going on in the office that I should know about
no
were holding down the fort here for you great
has games come in yet I'll have the driver waiting for you there
great thanks
okay past me along to James now please unit
18 following up
up
yet Jamie
with the Securities online one for you up think that
creating
day how's everything there well it that of course but
it's good to see so many friends and family whether there's anything you need
let me know thanks games a have you heard from our bank yet
yes they have food so
collected our friends mister Jones at Lloyds Bank today
well they've agreed to give othello
that good how much today agreed to give us
hmm there willing to give up all your requested and more cleaning
how much tell me quick with the spent
killing me well with it whole
at the next 12 months it be something around 1.5 million dollars
great brilliant news those people at
Lloyds Bank are true professionals at
up flat 8 percent interest rate
whip eight-percent fourth people that ploy for criminal
I thought you feel that way if though it had made an appointment with the people
in Chinese global to make a presentation
excellent when the meeting tomorrow night a
tiny global attending representative here how there's no way I can make it
even if I left now I can make it back in time
you know what this means don't you you want to and I
to make the presentation to Chinese global exactly
okay
don't worry about a thing when I can take everything
in a bit the cake okay good luck
and I'll see you both tomorrow by by
have a pleasant journey creating
day how's everything there well it
that of course but it's good to see so many friends and family
so
collected our friends mister Jones at Lloyd Banks day
well
they've agreed to give othello
that
good how much today agreed to give us more willing to give up only requested
and more clue
tomorrow night a
Chinese global sending representatives here unit
19
new horizons
good in
hi mate how it if you know
out pretty good I suppose this fire's those things go good to have you back
pay
with you while you're gone yeah right get things have been pretty quiet around
here without me
not a path that things have been quite busy around here since you left
out that's what I like to hear now let's get to work
games
to how was the meeting this morning of
meeting interesting proposition summarize for me
give me that quick version find a nutshell
they matched Floyd flown over 1.5 million
but with minimal 1 percent interest rate
mine good news effect too good to be true what's the catch
the bank one
10 percent ownership and the factory has to be located
okay have the factory in China
so what do you think that make of this
setting up a new factory in China would be a fashionable across the *** one
K ok why is that neighbor landing
here I own tea per day and a government health
of weekend no huh why didn't we think of that
it's incredible that we didn't think I'm setting up a factory in China
earlier it seems so obvious now day
40 thinking what am I thinking
I'm thinking they don't speak English in China
you better begin practicing Mandarin for
we have my for
hello entitled I
hi mate how with me if you know
pretty good I suppose as far as the things go
games to
how was the meeting this morning meeting
interesting proposition some rights for me
give me that quick version mine
good news effect too good to be true what's the catch
the bank one
10 percent ownership and the factory has to be located
okay