Transcripts
Gina I think I’d choose a woman on her own. Laura OK, that’s understandable, it’s a safe choice as you’re a female alone, too. And you may meet someone really nice, but you could end up stuck with each other throughout the event, and the point is to meet as many people as you can. Mike, what would you do?
Mike I think I’d choose a group of three. If you approach two people, they might be having a really important private conversation and you would not be popular for barging in.
Laura Good thinking, three is the right answer. But which three? It seems people quite often end up in threes at these events, so which group do you choose? Have a look at this slide.
Rachel I don’t know. Maybe the ones on the left? Laura OK, look at the body language. If they’re standing close together in a triangle all facing in towards each other, that means they’re having a good conversation and it won’t be easy to break in. You need to find a group that is standing in a more open shape like a ‘V’. That’s a group that will be happy for other people to join it. Oh, and choose a group that has at least one woman in it. Research shows that, in groups, women are more welcoming to outsiders than men.
Rachel Wow, that really makes sense. Faisal OK, but what do you say when you go up to them? Laura It’s simple. You just say ‘Hi, I’m Laura. May I join you?’
2.2 Laura OK, so we have identified which group of people you are going to join. Now let’s listen to two different people who join a group that has already formed at a networking event. I’ll take your comments after we’ve heard both short dialogues. Here’s the first one …
– It’s certainly child-friendly with all those play areas and faster lanes through the security check.
– Well, I think they’ve catered too much for families travelling with children …
– And not enough for business people? – Yes, exactly. After all, we travel more regularly and … – Hi. May I join you? – Certainly. We were just talking about the new terminal at the airport. Have you seen it?
– No, I’m afraid not, but I have heard mixed opinions about it. What do you think?
– Well, I was just saying that it has been designed more for people travelling with children than for business people.
– And I agree entirely. – I see. So do you all travel a lot on business?
Laura And here’s the second …
– It’s certainly child-friendly with all those play areas and faster lanes through the security check.
– Well, I think they’ve catered too much for families travelling with children …
English for the 21st Century • Transcripts 119
– And not enough for business people? – Yes, exactly. After all, we travel more regularly and … – Hi. May I join you? – Certainly. – Thanks. My name is Michelle Franks and I’ve just opened a catering business in town, right in the heart of the business district. We make sandwiches and salads and we can deliver straight to your office, or you can come to us and take food away. We also do catering for parties and special events. Here, let me give each of you one of my business cards.
2.3 Laura So, which do you think was better? Rachel I liked the woman in the second example. She didn’t waste time, and she was really clear about who she was and what she was selling.
Gina I disagree. I think she risked making everyone else angry. They were in the middle of a conversation about the airport and she just came in and dominated everything. She didn’t even find out if those people worked in the business district.
Faisal I agree. I think she was rude. The young man was polite and interested in other people’s opinions.
Rachel Yes, but he said nothing about himself. Mike I don’t think that’s important. People think you’re nice if you listen to what they’re saying. And they may give you a job or buy your products if they like you.
Laura Well, I think this is a situation in which one’s culture is very important. I can’t speak with authority about other countries and cultures, but I do think that, in Britain, we appreciate people who show interest in other people. In other words, we tend to like and trust people who ask questions and listen to the answers before talking a lot about themselves. And, as Mike said, if you can get people to like and trust you, they may offer you a job later or want to buy whatever it is that you’re selling.
2.4 Laura OK, so finally, what do you do if you’ve been talking to somebody at a networking event for a long time, and you want to end the conversation? I’m going to play you three different recordings. Here’s the first.
– … but then we found that if we just adjusted the size of the packaging slightly, by that I mean 5 mm narrower on the top edge, and made it 8 mm longer from top to bottom, then it was possible to solve that problem.
– I see. Oh, excuse me, somebody seems to be calling me. My phone’s in my pocket and I felt it vibrate. Let me see. Yes, this is a really important call, I’ve got to go … sorry!
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