FOURTH LESSON ENGLISH

B2 UPPER INTERMEDIATE
(SECOND SEMESTER)
RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING

Do you agree with the sentence: ‘Never do business with anybody you don’t like. If you don’t like somebody,
there’s a reason.’
Have you ever felt an instant rapport with someone you’ve only just met in the workplace?
Have you ever taken an immediate dislike to someone you’ve just been introduced to?
Have you ever misjudged someone by taking too much notice of the way they looked or sounded?
Have you ever worked with someone you don’t like?
 ARE YOU AN EFFECTIVE NETWORKER?
Complete the questionnaire using the pairs of verbs in the boxes.

Crack+break hover + wait look + say moan + complain

relax + let talk + catch

1. You meet a group of business people for the first time. Do you:
a. ____ them in the eye, smile and ___ hello?
b. ____ in the background and ___ to be introduced?
c. ____ a joke to ____ the ice?

2. You meet up with some colleagues after work. Do you:

b. ____ shop and ____ up on all the latest gossip?
c. ____ about work and ____ about the boss?
d. ____ and ____ your hair down?
Feel + mingle introduce + slip make + escape
persevere + find stick + ignore try + draw

3. You meet a fascinating person at a cocktail party. Do you:

a. ____ to them like glue and ____ everyone else?
b. ____ and ____ other people into the conversation?
c. ____ obliged to go and ___ with other people?

4. You’re stuck with a bore at a conference. Do you:

d. ____ in the hope you’ll ____ something in common?
e. ____ some kind of excuse and ____?
f. ____ them to someone else and ____ away?
Cut + get exchange + get get + mention give + keep
go + make look + pretend

5. You see someone you don’t get on with at a function. Do you:

a. ____ the other way and ____ you haven’t seen them?
b. ____ over and ____ the effort to speak to them?
c.____ them a polite nod, but ____ your distance?

6. you’re introduced to a potential client. Time is short. Do you:

a. ____ the preliminaries and ___ straight to the point?
b. ____ to know them a bit before you ____ business?
c. ____ business cards and say you’ll ___ back to them?
Do you agree with the following statements?

a. it’s a clichè, but it’s true: ‘You never get a second chance to
make a first impression.’
b. It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish. Last impression are
what really count.
c. They say ‘humour is the shortest distance between two people’.
But it can also be the furthest!
d. As you travel round the world, you find that business and
pleasure mix in every different ways.
LISTENING
Listen to four extracts of business people talking about the
same point we discussed before and complete the following
sentences.

a. li __ ha_____ke
b. so____ bu____fly
c. lou___ ar____
d. so ____ chit-____
e. schm______
f. wor____ the r___
Limp handshake --- when someone shakes hands without enough
pressure. The opposite is a firm handshake.
Social butterfly --- slang term for a person who is socially
dynamic, successful at networking, charismatic, and personally
gregarious
Lounge around --- you spend your time in a relaxed and lazy way,
sometimes when you should be doing something useful. 
Social chit-chat --- light informal conversation
for social occasions.
Schmoozing --- talk with someone in a lively and friendly way,
typically in order to impress or manipulate them.
Working the room --- To interact enthusiastically with the
attendees at an event, by moving among them, greeting them,
and engaging them in conversation.
Getting out the office

Can the golf course, tennis court or sailing boat be a good place
to do business?
What do you think about making business out of the normal
office?
Picture the scene: open water, no land in sight, the sound of water gently lapping
against the side of the executive yacht your company has chartered for the day.
Not the most obvious setting for a business meeting but an increasingly popular
one. Wheter you are trying to attract potential clients or keep existing ones, a
trip on a luxury yacht may help to seal the deal.
The setting alone is conducive to a positive and successful atmosphere. Being out of
your normal environment may also get the creative juice flowing – be inspired
by the incredible scenery and think of all the possibilities as you gaze at the
horizon!
If all goes to plan, by the time you dock at the marina, alliances will have been
forged and bonds strengthened. Even if you didn’t get the result you were after,
this nautical adventure will stay with your client for a lot longer than a buffet
lunch in the boardroom served with a second-rate-coffee!
Can a business situation ever been too relaxing?
What environment do you find is most conducive to do business?
Would you prefer a three- hour business meeting at the office or
an all-day meeting at sea?
READING
Read the two conversations about a group of oil company
executives chatting during a game of golf and answer the
questions

According to the group, what are the benefits of a cup of coffee?

Why are they only playing nine holes?
How would you describe the men’s attitude to the game?
 CONVERSATION 1
A: Stella! Max! you’re just in time to join us for a little pre-match get together.
B: Hi, Craig. Hi, Karen. Mmm… is that coffee I can smell?
A: sure is, they use Arabica beans here – it’s just fantastic! Would you like a cup? It
really hits the spot.
C: Oh go on then, I could do with warming up a bit.
A: There you go. Stella?
B: yes, please. It is a little chilly this morning. Beautiful day, though.
A: isn’t it? Well, now, we should probably be thinking of making a move quite
soon. Unfortunately, we can’t count on the weather staying fine at this time of the
year. Max, you’re partnering Karen. And Stella, you’re stuck with me, I’m afraid.
Now, I’ve arranged for us to have lunch at the clubhouse – they’ve got an excellent
restaurant there. So I thought we’d start at the tenth and just play the last nine
holes, if that’s okay with you. That way we should be able to get round the course
in a couple of hours or so.
B: sounds perfect.
A: And, Max, I think you’ll find my game’s improved a little since we last played
How’s Craig playing today?
What do Craing and Stella disagree on?
What do you think Craig has to do if he wants the job?
A: oh, come on! I don’t know what’s the matter with my game today. I just can’t seem to get the
ball straight. Sorry, Stella. You must be whishing you’d teamed up with Max.
B: Well, you have been in two sand traps and a lake, Craig!And this is only your third hole!
A: I know, I know. Your shot, Max…
B: Craig, I’ve been meaning to have a word with you about this disposal operation of ours.
A: Ah, I was wondering when you’d get round to mentioning that. Look, Stella, you know my
position on that…
B: now, Craig, listen to me. You know I want that oil platform disposed of at sea. It’s by far the
most cost-effective method. Oh, sorry, Max. I’m not trying to put you off your game. Oh, great
shot! Wow, that’s almost all the way to the flag! Craig, you didn’t tell me Max was such a
fantastic player.
A: No, I, er, look, Stella, this oil platform – disposing of it at sea. Don’t you think it’s a bit
risky? I know it’s technically possible. But there must be 130 tonnes of highly toxic and
radioactive substance on that platform!
B: Craig, you’re starting to sound like a Greenpeace activist, for godness’ sake! … By the way, I
understand you’ve applied for the top job here in Scotland.
A: Yeah, so?
B: So’s Max.
A: What?
B: Yeah. And the way it’s looking he may well get it. Seems the board like his competitive
spirit.
A: I see.
B: Of course, I could probably put in a word for you. Let’s talk later . For the time being, I’d
like you to concentrate on your game! I’m not a good loser, Craig!
 Homework: p. 61
p. 62 phrase bank: Networking