English at work – Episode 6 : Double-booked

Transcript of the podcast

.’Anna: ‘Look forward to hearing from you soon. Kind regards, Anna

Denise: (on the phone) … And Margery said: I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vegetable quite that size before

?!Paul: Where’s that hole-punch

.Narrator: Ah, business as usual in the offices of Tip Top Trading

!Tom: Oh for goodness sake! What a disaster! I can’t believe it

.Narrator: But one member of the team seems bothered

!Tom: Arrgh

.Narrator: Anna, this is the moment to show you’re willing to help

!Anna: Yes

Narrator: Use phrases like ‘Is there anything I can do?’ ‘Let me help!’ or, to be more informal, you can say, ‘Can I give you a hand?’ or ‘Give me a shout if you need anything!

.Anna: Right

!Narrator: Go on

?Anna: Are you okay Tom

.Tom: (grumpily) No

?Anna: Is there anything I can do

.Tom: (grumpily) No

?Anna: Oh. What’s wrong

.Tom: Everything

?Anna: I see. Can I give you a hand

Tom: My computer has crashed. I’ve lost my phone. And there’s a big, big problem with my timetable. I’ve got two meetings scheduled at the same time with two extremely important clients. I can’t do them both at once

.Anna: Let me help

.Tom: Thanks Anna, but these are big, big clients. They need someone of experience

!Anna: Well, give me a shout if you need anything

?Tom: I can handle this, alright

Narrator: ‘I can handle this’… ungrateful idiot. But you used all the right phrases Anna, well done. Anyway, I bet he’ll change his mind

…Denise: Oooh, I know, and the purple ones are so much more powerful

?Tom: Anna? Could you help me

!Narrator: Ha! I told you so

…Tom: They’ve both arrived at once! Oh god! I’ll deal with Mrs Kumquat

.Anna: Okay

Tom: You talk to Mr Lime, he’s from a company called Citrus Ventures. They own hundreds of juice bars

?Denise: Are you sure that’s a good idea Tom

?Tom: I don’t have much choice, do I

-Denise: Well I could

Tom: Just keep him occupied Anna, tell him how great he is… no, no, tell him how great I am. Find out what he wants. If it’s about the – well, never mind, just be nice

.Anna: Understood

?Tom: Mr Lime! Are you well

.Mr Lime: Yes, but I’m actually rather angry too

!Tom: Ah, well let me introduce you to Anna

.Anna: Mr Lime, it’s a pleasure to meet you! Let me help with your coat

.Mr Lime: Oh er… Thank you

?Anna: Can I give you a hand with your scarf too, Mr Lime

.Mr Lime: Oh… Thanks

.Anna: Now, please come this way and you can tell me what’s wrong

Narrator: Well done! Anna used some good phrases to step in and help with this mess. Let’s hear them again

?Is there anything I can do
.Let me help
?Can I give you a hand
.Give me a shout if you need anything

Narrator: But Mr Lime is obviously upset about something. What is it? And how will Anna deal with the problem? Let’s hope it doesn’t end in disaster