Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Junko: Hello, Junko Mori speaking. How can I help you?
Andrea: Hi, Junko, it's Andrea here from Red Band. I'm calling about our latest order.
Junko: Everything arrived OK, right? We got the delivery confirmation at our end.
Andrea: Yes, everything's fine with the order. I'm calling about the invoice and the payment terms. I need a favour.
Junko: A favour? What do you need?
Andrea: This is a little, er ... difficult, but I need an extension on the payment terms. I know they're usually 30 days, but we're having some cash flow problems. You'd really be helping us out if you could extend it to 60 days.
Junko: I'm not sure if I can do that, Andrea. We've got regulations at our end, and also have to manage our own cash flow.
Andrea: I promise this won't become the norm, Junko. Actually, I also want to place another new order. The same size order as last time. It's for an important customer and they pay on delivery.
Junko: I see. So your cash flow problem will be solved after this new order is delivered.
Andrea: Exactly.
Junko: That sounds good. Hold on, Andrea. Let me see what I can do. Yes, I think we can make an exception this time.
Andrea: That's great, Junko. I appreciate your help.
Junko: And we appreciate your business, Andrea. It works both ways.
Andrea: Thanks again, Junko. Can you send me a quick email confirmation of the payment terms extension?
Junko: Sure, no problem. We're happy to help you.
Andrea: Great. And I'll email you the new order.
Junko: Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for it. Talk to you soon.
Andrea: You too. Goodbye.
Hi G.Abdelkader,
Welcome! We hope you enjoy learning English here :)
Jonathan
LearnEnglish team
In my business always make extensions it’s essential to be flexible and that promote the business with our client and in another hand they appreciate what we do for them.
I did a favour.
my client's name is Ali and had a start-up. We had been making a business for years . One day, he called me and asked an exception for his payment because he had cash flow issues. I trusted and changed his payment terms . he made his promise.
I have a small business before, it was close due to covid. For me,
I will give an extension to my client just one or two times if he doesn't pay immediately to the exact date of what we discuss. If he is a good payer and can pay on the day I gave him an extension, well, I will give him a lot of extension.
I do not have a business now but if I will be had a business in future, certainly I will give an extension to my costumers.
Yes, I usually make exceptions for my clients because I think that everyone is unique and has its own needs. Therefore, it's necessary to be flexible and open to the change.
Do you ever do favours or make exceptions for important clients?
Well, I don't know it's good or not, but whet I worked by shop assistant I've never done exceptions for people, maybe It's because they were waiting to that from me, and when someone think that you are obligeded to do somethink for them It's not a good start I soupouse, so my answer is no.
I worked in a social area and we didn't use to have clients. But depending on the situation, we tried sometimes to make commitments with our users. Be emphatic could be really helpful as long as it's not risky for our business.
Yes, I have. But, sometimes it could have a negative effect in your business, because the other client could feel they do not have that benefices.
I am still a student but I think in the future I would make an exception for those clients who deserve