Disagreeing Politely in a Business Setting

Disagreeing Politely in a Business Setting

A: I don't think this is going to work. This plan calls for the new office to open by July and I think that's too ambitious. I don't see how the groundwork can be done any earlier than September.

B: I understand your concern. I don't want to rush the opening of the new office either. But, as I see it, a lot of the preparations were made last year when we considered opening an office in Miami. Even though the site is different, a lot of the cost projections are the same.

A: That may be, but remember that one of the reasons we scrapped the Miami plan was because the budget was too big.

B: That's not how I saw it. I think the major reason we didn't go ahead with the Miami plan was a problem with timing. But, I know that the budget was a concern, too. As you can see, though, this plan has a lower budget than the Miami plan.

A: I don't agree. If you add in all of the extras, the budget is the same, if not higher. I think we need to go back to the drawing board on this.

B: I have to disagree. This plan is the best we've come up with and is workable.

A: I'm afraid we just don't see eye to eye on this. Let's call a meeting with the rest of the team and see what they think.

B: Okay, let's do that.

to work:function properly    تفي بالمطلوب

calls for: should happen    يجب ان تحدث

ambitious    طموح - طموحة

groundwork    اساس العمل

I understand your concern    افهم ما تعنيه او افهم مخاوفك(للرد باسلوب مهذب في العمل)

rush    يسرع - يستعجل

cost projections    التكاليف المتوقعة

That may be, but    ربما لكن(للرفض باسلوب مهذب في العمل)

Scrapped: cancelled: get rid of    لغي – تخلص من

That's not how I saw it    هذا ليس رأيي(للرد باسلوب اقل تهذبا)

Timing    الجدول الزمني - التوقيت

I don't agree    لا اوافق (للرفض المباشر عند وجود سابق معرفة بالشخص)

the extras    الاضافات

go back to the drawing board: discuss    يناقش

I have to disagree: I disagree    يجب ان ارفض(للرفض باسوب مهذب)

come up with: think of    يفكر

workable    عملي – يمكن عمله

don't see eye to eye: don’t agree    لا اوافق

call a meeting: have a meeting    يجتمع

Making a Sales Call

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Today's English Lesson

Making a Sales Call

Last week, I was at a business luncheon and I met a woman named Dana Okri who was heading a new start up. I have been a sales rep for Eureka Corp. for three years now and our bread and butter is data management software . I told her briefly about our products over lunch and she had given me her card.

I decided to follow up with a call. I dialed her direct line and fortunately, I got a hold of her on the first try.

Dana: Hello, Dana Okri.

Kevin: Hello, Dana, this is Kevin Abrahams from Eureka Corp. I don't know if you'll remember me but we met last week at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Dana: Oh, yes. Hi, how are you?

Kevin: Great. Do you have a few minutes right now for me to tell you a little bit more about the data management tools our company has to offer? It won't take long .

Dana: Actually, I'm really swamped right now and I'll be going into a meeting in a few minutes. Is there any literature you can send me?

Kevin: Oh, sure, I understand. I'd be happy to send you a promotional packet about the programs that I think might best suit a company your size. Would it be okay if I called again to see if you have any questions?

Dana: Let's do this . Since I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to read the material, why don't I give you a call if I have any questions. Now, I'm really sorry, but I have to get going to this meeting.

Kevin: No problem at all. I won't keep you any longer. I'll put a package to you in the mail and we'll go from there .

Dana: Sounds good.

Kevin: Thanks for your time.

Dana: No problem. Bye, bye.

luncheon غداء عمل

named تسمي

heading يرأس

start up: new company شركة جديدة

sales rep مندوب مبيعات

bread and butter رزق

data management software برامج ادارة البيانات

briefly باختصار

follow up متابعة

direct line خط مباشر

got a hold of her on the first try. تحدثت اليها من المحاولة الاولي

I don't know if you'll remember me but لا اعرف اذا كنتي ستتذكرينني ام لا(عند الاتصال بشخص رايته مرة واحدة او مرتين
Do you have a few minutes right now for هل الوقت مناسب لـ........

take long تأخذ مدة طويلة

Swamped: extremely busy مشغولة جدااااااااا

literature كتالوج (في العمل تعني معلومات مطبوعة

promotional packet مجموعة اعلانات ترويجية

Suit يناسب

Would it be okay if هل يناسبك ان

Let's do this دعنا نفعل ذلك (عندما يكون هناك اقتراح اخر

get going يستمر

keep you يبقي – يحتفظ بـ

go from there . نبدأ من عند ذلك

Sounds good: ok فكرة جيدة

No problem: u r welcome (informal) العفو

Types of Work

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Today's English Lesson

Types of Work

I got a call yesterday from Amy, a co-worker from the office. She and I work in the same department. We've had lunch at work a few times but I really didn't know her that well. I was really glad she called.

A: Hello.

B: Hi, could I speak to A?

A: This is A.

B: Oh, hi, it's B from work.

A: Oh, hey, how's it going? I didn't recognize your voice.

B: Not bad. Listen, the reason I'm calling is that I'm having a dinner party a week from Saturday at my place around 7:30. I wanted to see if you could make it.

A: So it's not this Saturday but the Saturday after that. That would be the 17th.

B: Yeah, that's right, the following Saturday, the 17th.

A: Let me just check my calendar Yeah, I think I can make it. Are you inviting anyone else from work?

B: Yeah, I am. Jennifer from marketing already RSVP-ed so she'll be there for sure and I'm waiting to hear back from James in accounting. I've also invited a few other friends.

A: Just out of curiosity, are they in finance, too?

B: No. My friend Janis is in the medical field. She's an orthopedic surgeon. She's bringing her boyfriend, Tim, and I think he's an engineer in the automobile industry. Then, there's Megan. She works part-time in retail and moonlights as a tour guide on the weekends. She's been wanting to get into the hospitality industry for a long time.

A: Wow, that sounds like a great group of people. I'm looking forward to it. Can I bring anything?

B: No, that's okay. Just come and bring your appetite.

A: Sounds great. Thanks for the invitation.

B: No problem. I'm glad you can make it. See you in the office tomorrow.

A: See you then. Bye

could I speak to A? هل يمكنني التحدث الي....؟
This is A انا.....
I didn't recognize your voice. لم اتعرف علي صوتك
dinner party a week from Saturday حفلة العشاء بعد اسبوع من يوم السبت
my place المكان الذي اعيش فيه
check يراجع
calendar المواعيد
marketing تسوق
RSVP-ed معناه معاودة اتصال
waiting to hear back from ينتظر منه معاودة الاتصال والرد
accounting محاسبة
Just out of curiosity من الفضول
medical field المجال الطبي
an orthopedic surgeon جراح عظام
engineer مهندس
automobile industry صناعة السيارات
Retail البيع بالتجزئة- محل بيع عمومي
moonlight يعمل بوظيفة اضافية
tour guide مرشد لمجموعة (مثل جروب سياحي)
looking forward to يتطلع الي
bring your appetite لا تحضر اى شييء فقط ااتي وتمتع بوقتك

Asking About Jobs

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Today's English Lesson

Asking About Jobs

I was at the store the other day. I saw a former co-worker, Michael, across the room. He used to work at my company until he quit a few months ago to start a new job as a publicrelations officer at Missouri University. It's a job he's been working toward for years. He wasn't happy working for a corporation and wanted to get into either a non-profit organization or a university. I wanted to see how he was doing. The truth was, I was thinking of making a move myself.

Becky: Hey, Michael. Remember me? I'm Becky. We used to work at Lekmans together.

Michael: Oh, sure. How are you? Long time, no see. How are things at Lekmans?

Becky: It's about the same. I've been thinking of making a change myself. Do you mind if I ask you a few things about your job at the university?

Michael: No, not at all. Go ahead.

Becky: Well, I was wondering what the salaries are like? I mean are they much lower than the corporate world?

Michael: Well, I can't speak for all universities, but my salary is a definitely lower than at Lekmans. I just don't think the salaries are comparable when you leave a major corporation.

Becky: Yeah, that's what I thought. But, I've heard that the perks are better. I was wondering if that was really true.

Michael: I'd have to say yes and no on that. I don't get a big end-of-the-year bonus like I did at Lekmans but I get to take classes for free if I want to. I've always wanted to get a graduate degree so I'm taking classes now to do that.

Becky: Oh, that's great. It sounds like you're really happy with your move.

Michael: Yeah, I guess I am. Working at a university is the really suits me.

the other day: recently حديثا –قبل يوم او يومين

public relations officer موظف علاقات عامة
former سابق

working toward يعمل لـ

non-profit غير هادف للربح

The truth was الحقيقة هي(تقال عند تقديم فكرة)

making a move ينتقل لعمل اخر

Long time, no see لم اراك منذ زمن طويل

making a change يعمل تغيير (ينتقل لعمل اخر

Do you mind if هل تمانع ان

Go ahead استمر

I was wondering كنت اتسائل

I can't speak for يعبر عن اراء الاخرين

definitely بالتاكيد

comparable يمكن مقارنته بـ

perks اضافيات فوق الراتب

yes and no عندما تريد قول الاجاباتين

end-of-the-year نهاية العام

bonus علاوة

really suits تناسب حقا

Preparing for a Business Trip

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Today's English Lesson

Preparing for a Business Trip

I'm going to a conference this weekend back in my home state of Minnesota. I am going there to address a convention full of librarians, believe it or not. For me, the worst part of going on the road for business is not the traveling; it's all the preparation you have to do. I created a whole checklist of things I have to do when I travel. First, I confirm that my will be flighton time departing from LAX. Next, I call to double-check on my reservation for the hotel and the rent a car. After that, I pull out my suitcase and start packing. I'm a light packer, so I bring only the pants, shirts, socks, and underwear I'm going to need, nothing more. I throw in my toiletries bag with the usual stuff ‚?îshaver, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss‚ and then I'm just about done. Finally, I go through my briefcase to make sure I have all the things I'll need for the conference‚ my badge, my laptop, my overhead transparencies, a notepad, and some pens. Now I'm ready‚ off I go to my old home.

conference مؤتمر

back in اعود الي

home state وطني

address يخاطب

convention مؤتمر

librarians امين المكتبة

believe it or not صدق او لا تصدق

on the road في السفر

whole checklist قائمة طويلة

confirm يؤكد

flight رحلة طيران

on time departing وقت المغادرة

double-check يراجع مرة اخري

rent a car يستاجر سيارة – استجار سيارة

pull out يحضر

suitcase حقيبة سفر

packing اعداد الحقيبة

light packer لا يريد اشياء كثصيرة في الحقيقة

pants بناطيل

socks شوربات

throw in يضع في

toiletries الاشياء التي توضع في الحمام(صابون – معجون اسنان ....

briefcase حقيبة اوراق

floss ينظف بالخيط (ما بين الاسنان)

badge شعار عليه الاسم والمهنة

overhead transparencies الشفاف البلاستيك الذي يكتب عليه ويوضع امام البروجيكتور ليعرض

notepad ورق ملاحظات

Teamwork

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Today's English Lesson

Teamwork

A: So, does that sound okay with you?

B: What? Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't hear what you said.

A: You seem preoccupied today. What's up?

B: Oh, it's this guy I know from this class I'm taking. His name is Richard. I think I've mentioned him before.

A: Yeah, sure, the guy you're working on a project with. Right?

B: Yeah, that's him. The four of us are supposed to be working as a team on this project and I'm having a lot of trouble dealing with him.

A: What do you mean?

B: Well, he doesn't know how to express his opinion without putting other people down. And, he always has to be right.

A: He sounds a little immature.

B: Yeah, I think it's partly that. He doesn't know how to be diplomatic with people.

A: He doesn't know how or he doesn't want to.

B: I don't know, but I do know that sometimes he really gets the better of me.

A: Well, he sounds pretty hard to get along with. Are the other people in your group feeling the same way?

B: Yeah, in fact, they're fed up with him. I keep having to run interference when our discussions get too heated. Actually, I feel really sorry for the guy. He doesn't seem to have too many friends and he always seems so unhappy.

A: Well, I think you're helping just by putting up with him.

B: Thanks for trying to make me feel better. OK, now what were you saying

Sound ok:seems alright يبدو حسنا

Preoccupied: worried about قلق

Mentioned يذكر

dealing with تعامل مع

putting other people down: insult people يهين الناس

immature غير ناضج

diplomatic لبق – مهذب

gets the better of: get angry by يضايق

get along with يتفق مع

fed up with: tired of يتعب من

to run interference: to help someone achieve something by dealing with the people or problems that might prevent them from doing so
منفعل heated
feel really sorry for the guy اسفة علي هذا الرجل

putting up with: tolerate يتحمل

A bully at work

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Today's English Lesson

A Bully at work

A: I can’t take it anymore. I try to put up with Robert, but I’ve had enough!

B: I’m not surprised. That guy is a big bully and it’s time somebody stood up to him. What has he done now?

A: This was the last straw. We’re both managers and we’re supposed to work together, but Robert looks for every opportunity to put me down in front of our employees. This morning, I presented an idea about upgrading our computer equipment and he jumped down my throat.

B: What did he do?

A: He said that the idea was stupid and that he couldn’t understand how anyone could propose it. He said this in front of everybody. I was too stunned to respond, so I just stood there.

B: That’s totally inappropriate and unprofessional.

A: He’s arrogant to everybody, but especially to me. He always says he’s just being honest when he makes a biting remark, but I’m realizing that that’s just his excuse to be rude. He treats everyone with contempt. I really don’t know what to do.

B: I know people like Robert. They’re so insecure that they have to belittle everyone else to make themselves feel better. They have really poor social skills and don’t know how to have a conversation or to disagree without being a jerk.

A: That may be, but what should I do about him?

B: There’s only one way to handle a bully.

A: How?

B: You have to call his bluff. If he criticizes your plan, ask him to back it up with evidence or a specific reason. If you disagree with him, keep your cool, but tell him why. Most bullies back down when someone stands up to them.

A: Okay, it’s worth a try. I’ve been trying to keep calm and maintain a professional atmosphere in the office, so I haven’t confronted him, but I will if you think it’ll help.

B: I do. And if that doesn’t work, tell him to act his age, not his shoe size!

a bully at work التسلط في العمل

I can't take it anymore لا استطيع ان اتحمل اكثر من ذلك

I have had enough كفاية

stand up to تصدي لي - واجه

this was the last straw اخر حاجة اقدر اتحملها

put me down يهينني

jumped down my throught انتهره فورا - قاطعه زاجرا

Stunned:surprised يتفاجئ

inappropriate خاطيء - غير صحيح

arrogant to متكبر متعجرف

biting remark تعليق لاذع

contempt كراهية - احتقار - عدم احترام

insecure غير امن - غير واثق - غير مستقر

belittle يقلل من - يحط من قدر

call his bluff كشف خدعته

back it up يؤيد ذلك - يساند يدعم

keep your cool حافظ علي هدؤك

back down يتراجع - تنازل عن - تخلي عن

It's worth a try تستحق التجربة

confront يواجه

Problems at the Office

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Today's English Lesson

Problems at the Office

Lucy: Hey Jeff, can I pick your brain for a minute?

Jeff: Sure, what's up?

Lucy: Well, I have a sticky situation at work and I wanted to get your input. You're always so tactful .

Jeff: Thanks. I'm not sure I can help but I'll give you my two cents.

Lucy: Well, it's like this. There's this guy I work with who is always making jokes about the boss. Don't get me wrong. I like a good joke now and then, especially about the boss. But, sometimes he goes too far.

Jeff. What do you mean?

Lucy: Well, just the other day, he got a picture off the Internet and cut and pasted the boss�A"� head onto it. Let's just say it was a very unflattering picture of him.

Jeff: Hmm. That's really unprofessional, but it sounds harmless enough, if he kept it to himself or just showed it to a few friends.

Lucy: That's just it. He didn't keep it to himself. He attached the picture to an email and sent it to the entire company, including the top brass.

Jeff: You're joking, right?

Lucy: No, I'm not. This is what I mean when I said he goes too far. He just doesn't know when to quit.

Jeff: Is he a friend of yours?

Lucy: No, not really. But, I don't want the guy to get fired. He's actually a good person. He's just clueless, that's all.

Jeff: Well, that's a tough one. Let me think about it. Maybe there's a way to get him to cut it out before he gets fired.

Lucy: Thanks. I appreciate it.

Jeff: Oh, it's no big deal. Let's go get a bite to eat.

Lucy: Sure. Sounds good to me.

Pick your brain اخذ رأيك
A sticky situation موقف صعب ومحرج
To get your input يحصل علي رأي او نصيحة
Tactful لبق
I'll give you my two cents سأعطيك رأيي
Now and then احيانا
Don’t get me wrong لا تفهمني غلط
He goes too far باللغة العامية : توسع منه اوى
Flatter يجامل
Unflattering غير لائق
The top brass رئيس او مدير الشركة
Clueless لا يعرف شييء
cut it out يوقفها – يقلع عنها
It's no big deal = no problem لا توجد مشاكل
It's a tough one موقف صعب ومحرج
Get a bite to eat = grap a bite to eat يخرج في مكان لتناول طعام