General English:9-intermediate
Unit2 Preparing for a negotiation
Vocabulary Business vocabularyCollocations 搭配
upgrading
vendor
productive
crash
negotiate
standard model
memory
hard drive
budget
outsourcing 外包
conserve 养护
JOAN
Okay,Let's get started.The purpose of this meeting is to talk about upgrading our computers.
We also need to prepare for tomorrow's meeting with the vendor.
SIMON
Yes.Nancy Keagan from Compunow.I think Compunow has the kind of computers we need,and at a reasonable price.
JOAN
So,Let's make sure we're all on the same page regarding quantities and cost.Todd?
Todd
I expect we'll need about 35 new laptops over the next 12 months.I want laptops so that people can move
around and talk to each other more.
SIMON
That's a great idea.It's noisy in the office sometimes.If people can move to a quieter area,the can be more productive.
JOAN
So,how many computers do you need,Simon?
SIMON
I anticipate my team will need 15 desktop computers in the next year.Compunow's SF-36 would be perfect.
It does a great job with large databases,and doesn't often slow down or crash.
JOAN
I see.So,altogether,you two foresee a need for 50 computers over the next year.Um,Todd,have you looked at Compunow's laptops?
Todd
Yes,and I talked to some people over at Sunset Computers.They love the PF-30S.
They're powerful and reasonably priced.
JOAN
Mm-hmm.How reasonably?
Todd
Well,Sunset bought theirs for 800 dollars each.
JOAN
Hmm.That's a bit high.We need to negotiate a better price.Simon,how much are the SF-36S.
SIMON
The standard model starts at 900.
JOAN
That's quite reasonable.
SIMON
But we need something with more memory and a large hard drive.The one I want costs about $1100.
JOAN
Let's um,take a break.I'll have a look at the budget and see if I can make these numbers work.I'll come get you if there's a problem.
Todd
Okay
SIMON
Sure.
Read the company memo. Move the text to the correct gap.
Re: planned computer upgrade
As you all know, we have a very limited budget right now.
We would love to upgrade our computers to help all our employees become more productive .
Unfortunately, we've been unable to negotiate a reasonable price with the vendor .
It looks like we will have to stay with the standard model .
Thank you.
My computer doesn't have enough memory to run the software.
A 2 percent increase in the budget isn't enough.
We need to find a new vendor to make our software.
We only need the standard model .
The new software has made the team more productive .
My computer crashed , and I couldn't finish my work.
How much will it cost to upgrade all our computers?
All of the information is on my hard drive .
Can we negotiate a reasonable price with the vendor?
The word what is often used to begin a question.
What's so great about their computers?
However, you can begin a statement with what to add emphasis. Look at the two statements below. The what statement is more emphatic.
Their computers are powerful and dependable.
What's so great about their computers is that they're powerful and dependable.
Notice that the what clause, which contains the subject of the sentence, is followed by the verb be.
What we need to do is upgrade our software.
What you should try is outsourcing the work to a vendor.
Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you all for coming.
What we are here for today is to negotiate a final price on our computer order.
The negotiations are close, but we are not there yet.
What I suggest we do is review where we were at the end of the last meeting and go from there.
What's most important is that we have a deal by the end of this meeting. So let's get started.
make sure
does a great job
take a break
make these numbers work
Collocations are two or more words that are commonly used together. A good understanding of collocations will help improve your oral fluency, as well as your reading and listening skills.
Here are some collocations with the verb make:
Do you think we're making headway in the negotiations?
We really need to make a decision today.
I think we finally made a breakthrough in the negotiations.
Here are some collocations with the verb do:
It's important to do research before negotiations begin.
It's been a pleasure doing business with you.
You did very well. Congratulations!
I want you to do your homework before the meeting tomorrow.
Here are some collocations with the verb take:
They're trying to take advantage of us!
Our vendor takes good care of us.
There's no need to rush. Take your time.
I want you to take the lead in the negotiations.
headway 取得进展
Hi, Bill.
A quick update to make sure you know what's going on with the negotiations: As you know, Fred Thompson is taking the lead for our team. He's doing a great job. I'm telling you, nobody takes advantage of that guy! We made some real headway today. I think we can do business with them. No final deal yet, but we're close. We can definitely make the numbers we talked about work.
Thanks,
Ann
on the same page regarding quantities and cost
I expect we'll need ...
I anticipate my team will need ...
foresee a need for
Okay. I just want to make sure we're all on the same page regarding our negotiating position.
I anticipate the negotiations will be difficult, but I also foresee reaching a deal with the vendor .
In the end, I expect them to decrease their price by at least 15 percent.
