(单词翻译:单击)
文本
背景提示： Biscuit Barrel has participated in the Food Fair. Check out how well received their biscuit ranges
were at the Fair.
【Audioscript】
Malcolm: Malcolm McKenzie.
Kevin: Hello, Malcolm. Kevin here. I’m just driving back to the hotel from the Food Fair and thought I should
let you know how it all went.
Malcolm: Driving? I hope you’re not on your mobile, Kevin. We don’t want you picked up by the Leith police
for illegal use of a mobile phone.
Kevin: No, don’t worry, I’m on the hands free. Anyway on the whole, it went very well. Lots of interest in
our range and particularly in Country Crumbles.
Malcolm: What sort of comments did you get?
Kevin: Well, first of all, nearly everybody said they tasted great – like really top of the range biscuits.
When we told them the sort of price we thought they’d be retailing at, they were very pleasantly surprised.
And a lot of people didn’t think they could be that tasty and be that healthy as well. But they did when I
showed them the health stats and ingredients specs.
Malcolm: How did the new stand go? I was very sorry I couldn’t get over to see it but we’ve had a few
problems with deliveries over here.
Kevin: Yes I heard something about that – all sorted now though?
Malcolm: Yes, I think so.
Kevin: Well, the new stand is fabulous – worth every penny we spent on it. We had a great position just
inside the main entrance doors so people couldn’t miss us. And it’s certainly paid off enlarging the floor
space. We have plenty of room now for people to wander through and see the displays and try the samples, but
my sales guys also have enough separate space screened off and with sufficient chairs and tables to talk to
individual buyers as well. One feeds off the other – the more people passing through the stand, the more
lively it all becomes and the more the potential buyers get a positive buzz about the company and our product.
We’ve signed up some really gooranges d deals on lots of our existing ranges. I think you’ll be pleased when
you see the figures – and Lee too, of course. But what’s been happening to the advertising for the new
range? Any movement there?
Malcolm: Well I think Nellie and Maria have been making some good progress with that whilst you’ve been away.
It’s beginning to look like a very coherent and focussed campaign now. Oh, and the design team have come up
with a much more exciting design concept for the Country Crumbles box packaging.
Kevin: Well, yeah I know that cos they rushed some dummies over to me at the Fair and I was able to show them
to the Superkor people. They were very impressed and are definitely nearly there when it comes to signing a
deal with us.
Malcolm: The presentation went well then?
Kevin: Yeah, very well. Of course some of them had heard it before but it really helped getting those new
designs – I had something new to present to them and to show that we were taking their concerns seriously and
were prepared to do something about them quickly and positively. It all helps.
Malcolm: But still no final agreement.
Kevin: No. And, well I don’t know if I’m just imagining this, Malcolm, but I get a sort of feeling that
there may be another runner in this race – that Superkor might be talking to another supplier who is in the
same game as we are. Nothing definite at the moment - it’s just a gut feeling I’ve got.
Malcolm: Well I hope you’re wrong, Kevin. We don’t want to start fighting off competition at this late
stage. When are you coming back in? Perhaps we ought to talk about this some more. Your gut feelings aren’t
often wrong.
Kevin: Tomorrow. After lunch. I’m helping to take down the stand tomorrow morning. I want to know how it all
works in case we go to a fair abroad and I don’t have all the support team I had on this one.
Malcolm: Fair enough – I’ll see you tomorrow then – towards the end of the day?
Kevin: Yeah, but there’s one more thing, Malcolm – the prize competition?
Malcolm: Oh yes, of course. Did that go to plan?
Kevin: Well, not quite. First prize was fine, that went to a little old lady from Dumphries. She was delighted
and we’ve got some great pictures of her with the prize voucher and holding the product, but it’s the second
prize that’s the problem.
Malcolm: What, the visit to our factory? What can be a problem with that?
Kevin: Well… it’s a bit of a tricky one really. You see it was won by a school class.
Malcolm: A school class? What do you mean?
Kevin: Well the whole of Class 6C entered the prize draw and they won second prize.
Malcolm: So we have to show a group of kids round the factory. What’s wrong with that? We’ve done it many
times before.
Kevin: Yeah, but this is Class 6C from Keircuddy Secondary School. And if their behaviour at the Fair was
anything to go by, you’re going to have to batten down the hatches at the Biscuit Barrel plant when they turn
up for their tour!
- End -
日积月累
【Glossary】
retail (verb) - to sell goods in shops 零售
stats (noun) - (informal) statistics, information based on a study of numerical facts 数据
specs (noun) - (informal) specification, a detailed description of how something is made or done 详细计划书
feeds off (phrasal verb) - to increase because of something 增加
wander (verb) - to walk around in a relaxed way 漫游
buzz (noun) - used in word-of-mouth marketing, it refers to a kind of hype among consumers, often a positive
association or anticipation of the product or service 乱哄哄
dummy (noun) - a mock-up 仿制品
batten down the hatches (expression) - prepare for a very difficult situation 未雨绸缪
plant (noun) - a factory in which machinese are used 工厂
实战商务小结
【Business notes】
Sporting clichés 与运动相关的商务词汇
In the episode , Kevin uses a couple of expressions that have their origins in the sporting field. He describes a competitor as another runner in this race and in the same game as we are. There are quite a few business expressions that sound like they have connections with sport.
Here are a few:
Step up to the plate
to take responsibility for doing something.
It is time companies stepped up to the plate and made sure the meat they sell is safe to eat.
Touch base
to talk to someone in order to find out how they are or what they think about something.
I had a really good time in Paris. I touched base with some old friends and made a few new ones.
Win-win
a situation in which whatever happens the result will be good.
He's in a no-lose situation. If he wins the tournament he gets a big bonus, and if he doesn't he's had valuable experience.
Ballpark figure
an approximate number, but one that is still close enough to be useful
Can you give me a ballpark figure to rent a new office space in downtown Beijing?
The ball is in someone's court
someone has to do something before any progress can be made in a situation.
I've told him he can have his job back if he apologizes. The ball's in his court now.
Take the ball and run with it
to take an idea or plan and develop it further.
This is a good proposal. I think we should pick up the ball and run with it.
Swing for the fences
to set yourself a high target or to aim big. Probably originates from hitting a homerun in baseball.
Let’s swing for the fences on this one.
Team Player
someone who is not just out for themselves but works well with others and has a concern for their well-being.
Jones from accounts is a real team player.
