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...

  LOOKING FOR A JOB   Situation: John just graduated with a Bachelor degree in Finance. As a result, he wants to find a job in his field of studies instead of continuing to hold his current Payroll position. Nancy: Hi. It is good to see you, John. John: Same here, Nancy. It has been a long time since I last saw you. Nancy: Yes, the last time we saw each other...

  FORMAL CONVERSATION   Situation: Jane, Leslie, and Mary are having lunch at the restaurant. Since they will have to give a presentation on etiquette rules next week, they try to practice by talking very formally to each other. Jane: Leslie, may I borrow your cell phone to call my mother after we finish lunch? Leslie: Yes, of course, Jane. And please, do not forget to ask your mother whether you may go...