商务英语情景口语100主题025

25 Clarifying the stakes

Dialogue 1

A: Hello? Ms. Patterson? This is Bill from Workmate calling. I'm just wondering if you had a chance to look over the estimate I sent for your gala dinner project next month…. As I said in my email, we can help you with production according to your needs, but we will only be able to give onsite management support services on a limited basis.

B: Oh, yes. I reviewed your estimate. But it seems like the project blueprint¹ you sent with the estimate is not quite what we had in mind. Did you get a copy of the specs for this project?

A: Yes, I have several copies, but they’re all different versions…. The latest I have is version 12, is that current?

B: No. Later we decided² to opt³ for the prior outline, version7.

A: Hold on, let me pull up your version 7 requirements…. Oh yes, no wonder our estimate is a little different from what you had in mind. I see the version 7 also includes 6 additional hostesses and a cocktail⁴ self-serve bar that wasn’t in the version12. That will definitely add to your cost on this project….

B: I understand there is additional cost associated with the hostesses and bar, but we’ve also eliminated four of the table and chair sets that were in version 12, so the cost should balance out a little.

A: So, what you’re saying is, you won’t need the table and chair sets on the far wall, but you will require more onsite workers plus the alcoholic⁵ beverages⁶ to stock the mini-bar? It’s not going to balance out quite like you’re thinking….

Dialogue 2

A: We are going to need confirmation⁷ on these orders today, and delivery must be made before next Tuesday. Do you think you can handle that?

B: We are willing to work with you, but do you think it would be possible to extend your confirmation deadline? We need to check the warehouse⁸ to make sure the products are in stock. The earliest I will be to get back to you is tomorrow morning.

A: No, I must know today because we have to go to press for the advertisements. Is there anyway you can speed up the process of checking inventory⁹?

B: We can do that, but it will cost…. If we have to check our inventory with all our guys on overtime¹⁰, you’re looking at an increased cost of, I’d say, maybe 10%.

A: Are you kidding?

B: No, and let me tell you why…. If I make my guys stay over to check the inventory, I’ll have to pay them at an overtime rate, which is time and a half. I estimate it will probably take 3 guys two hours to finish, that will be an increase on your labor¹¹ fee by at least 10%… if you need the numbers that urgently, I can have them do it. Otherwise, we can wait until tomorrow morning, and I’ll call you with the numbers after they’re done. It’s your call….

1 blueprint   

n.蓝图，设计图，计划；vt.制成蓝图，计划

参考例句：

• All the machine parts on a blueprint must answer each other.设计图上所有的机器部件都应互相配合。
• The documents contain a blueprint for a nuclear device.文件内附有一张核装置的设计蓝图。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 opt   

vi.选择，决定做某事

参考例句：

• They opt for more holiday instead of more pay.他们选择了延长假期而不是增加工资。
• Will individual schools be given the right to opt out of the local school authority?各个学校可能有权选择退出地方教育局吗？

4 cocktail   

n.鸡尾酒；餐前开胃小吃；混合物

参考例句：

• We invited some foreign friends for a cocktail party.我们邀请了一些外国朋友参加鸡尾酒会。
• At a cocktail party in Hollywood,I was introduced to Charlie Chaplin.在好莱坞的一次鸡尾酒会上，人家把我介绍给查理·卓别林。

5 alcoholic   

adj.（含）酒精的，由酒精引起的；n.酗酒者

参考例句：

• The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.白兰地的酒精浓度远远超过葡萄酒。
• Alcoholic drinks act as a poison to a child.酒精饮料对小孩犹如毒药。

6 beverages   

n.饮料( beverage的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages 控制酒类销售的法规
• regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages 含酒精饮料的销售管理条例

7 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

8 warehouse   

n.仓库；vt.存入仓库

参考例句：

• We freighted the goods to the warehouse by truck.我们用卡车把货物运到仓库。
• The manager wants to clear off the old stocks in the warehouse.经理想把仓库里积压的存货处理掉。

9 inventory   

n.详细目录，存货清单

参考例句：

• Some stores inventory their stock once a week.有些商店每周清点存货一次。
• We will need to call on our supplier to get more inventory.我们必须请供应商送来更多存货。

10 overtime   

adj.超时的，加班的；adv.加班地

参考例句：

• They are working overtime to finish the work.为了完成任务他们正在加班加点地工作。
• He was paid for the overtime he worked.他领到了加班费。

11 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。