English at Work 

Introduction

English at Work  © British Broadcasting Corporation 2012

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Hi I'm Neil. Thanks for joining me on English at Work - a new series of programmes set

in an office, full of top tips to help you learn some useful business language which you

could use in the workplace.   

In the next few minutes you can join me on an introductory tour around one of London's

biggest imitation plastic fruit manufacturers, called Tip Top Trading. We're going to hear

from some of the employees that work so hard to keep the business running smoothly.  

So come on then! Let's step into the office and eavesdrop on Tip Top Trading's possible

newest recruit.  I say 'possible' because she is still being interviewed for the job of Sales

Executive…

Insert

Anna:  Firstly, this job is an ideal match for my skills and experience: I've spent

several years working in sales and I get on with people easily. Well, I

mean, apart from the ones I don't like of course! Secondly, I know Tip Top

Trading is one of the fastest-growing companies in London, and I want to

be part of that.

Paul:   That's absolutely right. Tip Top Trading is the fastest-growing company in

the plastic fruits sector.

Well said, Anna! If she gets that job I'm sure she'll be an asset to the company.  The

decision is in the hands of Manager, Paul, who we heard there.  He's a nice guy really, a

little disorganised, but when things go wrong he's got to take charge…a bit like this…

Insert

Paul:  Yesterday was not a great day. Two clients came in with serious

complaints. Mrs Kumquat received a delivery of imitation bananas that

were purple – not very convincing, and Mr Lime ordered grapefruits, but

got pineapples. Tom!

Tom:  Yeah, listen... 

Paul:  Were you responsible for these errors?

English at Work  © British Broadcasting Corporation 2012

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Tom:  Well... yes, but -

Paul:  Look, mistakes happen. But it seems that Mrs Kumquat left our offices

even angrier than when she came in and she says she will never use Tip

Top Trading again!

Tom:  I tried my best.

Paul:  Hmmm. 

Ah yes, Tom!  I hadn't warned you about Tom, one of the company's top Sales

Executives – he's good….

Insert

Tom:  (on phone) Tom speaking. Yah! Frankie! So what's the latest, are we on? 

…. but his interpersonal skills need working on. Listen to this! 

Insert

Tom:  My computer has crashed. I've lost my phone. And there's a big, BIG

problem with my timetable. I have two meetings scheduled at the same

time with two extremely important clients. I can't do them both at once!

See what I mean! Now, every office needs a good office assistant – and Tip Top Trading

is no exception. It's got Denise, who's there to assist, organise and sometimes make the

tea…..

Insert

Denise:  Oh sorry excuse me, here's your tea Paul.

Paul:    Thanks Denise.

But goodness! She likes to talk…

Insert

Denise:   Really! 'Denise do this! Denise do that!' I'm telling you Sharon, I've almost

had enough! I get treated like I'm some kind of servant!

That's Denise! I think we'll just leave the office now and let them get on with their work

(DOOR CLOSES)

English at Work  © British Broadcasting Corporation 2012

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bbclearningenglish.com

So that's Tip Top Trading. There are plenty of other people we'll meet along the way –

so go on – why don't you join me for English at Work from bbclearningenglish.com. See

ya!

Listening Challenge - Answer

What kind of company is Tip Top Trading?

Tip Top Trading is a plastic fruit manufacturer.