GIVING A SPEECH   Situation: Jennifer is going to give a speech on Global Warming, and she is quite nervous about the whole process. Mary is trying to calm Jennifer down by giving her some tips on how to deliver a good speech. Jennifer: I will have to give a presentation on global warming on Friday, and I am so nervous. Mary: There are a lot of things you can do to...

  APPLYING TO COLLEGE   Situation: Charlotte and Michael have just finished taking the SAT test and are talking about it. They also discuss the next steps of the process of applying for college. Michael: That test was so long! Four hours! I really do not understand why we have to take this test anyway. Are our grade point averages (GPAs) not good enough for college? Charlotte: That test did seem long, didn’t...

  MEETING PEOPLE   Situation: A seminar on Management is held at the Hilton hotel. Tom and Ana are among the many attendants. They try to strike a conversation during break-time. Tom: Hi, I am Tom. Ana: I am Ana. Tom: This is a pretty good seminar so far, huh? Ana: Yes, I like it. Prentice Hall always delivers good seminars. All of its speakers are very well-known and also very knowledgeable in...

  CHANGING A CUSTOMER’S ORDER   Situation: Jane just received a new purchase order from one of the customers. She tries to discuss the necessary actions with Lynn. Jane: Lynn, please come to my office. I just received a revised purchase order from one of our customers. Lynn: I am here. Jane: Lynn, remember the order we received from Colors House two weeks ago? Lynn: The one for a lot of 500 oak...

  ON THE PRODUCTION FLOOR   Situation: To better understand the operation at Lintel, John pays a visit to the Production manager on his second day at work. He tries to get some information on the manufacturing process at Lintel. John: Good morning, Steve. My name is John, and I am the new person in the Finance Department. Steve: Good morning, John. What can I do for you? John: As a new person, I...

  FIRST DAY AT WORK Situation: John was hired as a financial analyst by Lintel. Today is John’s first day at work. Mike: Good morning, John. John: Good morning, Mike. Mike: Let me take you to your cubicle and then I will give you a tour of our facility. Mike: Here is your cubicle, your “home away from home” from 8:00 to 5:00 every day, John. John: Oh, very nice! Mike:...

  JOB INTERVIEW Situation: Lintel, a computer chip manufacturing company, currently has a job opening in its Finance department. John Miller is the first applicant to be interviewed this morning by Lintel’s Finance Manager Mike Gates.   Mike: Good Morning, John. I am Mike. John: Good Morning. Mike: How are you doing? John: I am doing fine. Thank you. Mike: How was the traffic coming over here? John: I am so glad that...