Business Communications

Secretary:
Caller:
Secretary:
Caller:
Secretary:

Hello, Ultimate Computers. May I help you?

Yes, this is Jack Kordell from Hunter's Office Supplies. May I speak to Elaine
Strong, please?
I'm sorry, but she's not in right now.

Caller:

Okay, do you know when she'll be back?

Uh, yes, she should be here later on this afternoon maybe about 4:30. May I take a
message?
Yes. Ms. Strong sent me a brochure detailing your newest line of laptop computers

Secretary:
Caller:

with a description of other software products, but there wasn't any information about
after-sales service.
Oh, I'm sorry. Would you like me to fax that to you?
Yes, but our fax is being repaired at the moment, and it won't be working until
around 2:30. Hum . . . could you try sending that information around 3:30? That
should give me time to look over the material before I call Ms. Strong, say, around
5:00.

Secretary:
Caller:
Secretary:
Caller:
Secretary:

Sure. Could I have your name, telephone number, and fax number, please?
Yes. Jack Kordell and the phone number is 560-1287. And the fax number is
560-1288.
Okay. Jack Kordell. Is your name spelled C-o-r-d-e-l?

Caller:

No. It's Kordell with a "K" and two "l's." K-o-r-d-e-l-l."

All right, Mr. Kordell. And your phone number is 560-1287, and the fax number is
560-1288. Is that correct?
Yes it is.

Secretary:
Caller:

All right. I'll be sure to send you the fax this afternoon.
Okay, bye.

1.

Vocabulary
ultimate, adj., [before noun] most extreme or important because either the original or final, or
the best or worst:
- This race will be the ultimate test of your skill.

2.

- War is the ultimate failure of public communication.

- What is your ultimate aim/goal/objective/target in life?
supplies, n., [plural] food or other things necessary for living:
- Our supplies were running out.
- The refugees are urgently in need of food and medical supplies.

3.

- Supplies were brought in by air.

message, n., a spoken or written piece of information that you send to another person or leave
for them:
- Theres a message from Karen on the answerphone.
- I have an urgent message for you.
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Business Communications

4.

5.

6.

- If I'm not there when you call, leave a message on my voicemail.

brochure, n., [= pamphlet, small booklet] a thin book giving information or advertising sth.:
- Could you send me a brochure of your laptop computers?
- Get some brochures from the travel agent.
detail, v. & n., to describe something completely, giving all the facts:
- The brochure details all the hotels in the area and their facilities.
- Can you produce a report detailing what we've spent on the project so far?
- The manager decided to detail his recent visit to our parent company.
- We don't know the full/precise details of the story yet.
- I havent looked at the proposal in detail yet.
description, n., something that tells you what something or someone is like:
- She has given the police a very detailed/full description of the robber.

7.

- Berlin sounds fascinating from your description.

- The booklet gives a brief description of each place.
software, n., the programs, etc. used to operate a computer hardware:

8.

- To run the software, you will need the latest version of Windows.
- When you buy a new computer, you usually get software included at no extra cost.
- He was arrested for selling pirated software.
after-sales service/support/assistance, n., provided after a customer has paid for and received

9.

a product or service:
- The company was asked to strengthen its after-sales service.
- They provide very good after-sales services, with a ten-year guarantee and a one-year parts
guarantee.
- After-sales service boost consumer satisfaction.
repair, v., to fix something that is damaged, broken, split, or not working properly:

- Where can I get my shoes repaired?

- How much will it cost to have the TV repaired?
- He spent several weeks in hospital, and needed three operations to repair his damaged liver.
10. send, v., to make something go or be taken to a place, especially by post/mail, email, radio, etc.:
- We'll send it by post/airmail/sea.
- I'll send her a letter/email/parcel/postcard next week.
- Could you send a reply to them as quickly as possible?
11. look over sth., phrasal verb, to examine something to see how good, big, etc. it is:
- We looked over the house again before we decided we would rent it.
- I had only a few minutes to look over the proposal before the meeting.
- Would you quickly look over these figures for me and see if there are any obvious mistakes?
12. correct, adj., accurate or true, without any mistakes:
- "Is that the correct spelling?" "I don't know - look it up in a dictionary."
- If my calculations are correct, were about ten miles from Taidung.
- "Your name is Angela Black?"/ "Are you in charge here?" "That is correct."
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