16 Presenting yourself

Business Result Pre-intermediate Unit 16 | Classroom DVD Worksheets © Oxford University Press
Starting point
1 How often do you introduce or present yourself and your company? Make a list of
situations when you do this, e.g. at a conference, on the phone …

2 Work in a group. Compare your lists and then discuss these questions.
1 How important is giving a good first impression in each of these situations?
2 Is it always important to prepare what you are going to say?

Video comprehension
3 video Watch the video and answer the questions.
1 What is the aim of the meeting?
2 Who gives the first personal presentation?
3 What kind of information does each person give?

4 video Watch the personal presentation again. Make more detailed notes on the
areas each person talks about.

Maria Anton Sally

Current job and role

Previous jobs and roles

Professional development and

future ambitions

What the person hopes to

achieve from the meeting and
new training programme.

» For more exercises on this video, go to the DVD-ROM.

Speaking
5 Work in groups. Compare your answers in exercise 4 and then discuss:
1 What kind of first impression does each person (Maria, Anton and Sally) give with their
personal presentation?
2 Could any of them improve their own personal presentation? What kind of other
information could they include?
Video script
Maria Harris is the Training Manager at Quartz
Power Group. She has developed a new training
programme for staff in the call centre. Today, she is
running the first training session of the programme.
Maria: Thanks. OK, we’re all here now so let’s
begin. So thank you so much for coming to
this. As you know, we are planning on starting
a new training programme for the call centre
operators. And you are here, as team leaders
in the call centre, to understand what the
training will be about so that you can monitor
everyone’s progress as the new practices are
implemented. OK? But before we go into the
training programme, I thought it would be a good
idea to introduce ourselves. I’d like to hear about
your role, your background, and what you hope
to get out of this course. But why don’t I begin?
My name is Maria Harris. I am a training advisor
here at QPG. I’ve been here for 6 months. Prior
to this job, I was working in the HR department
of an IT consultancy, where I was responsible
for hiring and training up new recruits. However,
I haven’t always been in HR. I started out in
sales, and during my first job after university, I
got a certificate in Professional Sales Practice. I
think that is part of the reason that I have been
asked to develop and run this course for the call
centre staff. So in my current role, I am looking
to improve the training that we offer to both
new recruits and existing staff. I think after 6
months, I am now familiar with your training
programmes. I have been consulting with a lot
of different departments on their training needs,
and this is the first course that I have been asked
Business Result Pre-intermediate Unit 16 | Classroom DVD Worksheets © Oxford University Press
to prepare and run. I hope you find it useful and
your feedback on it will really help me improve
it over the next year as we roll it out to your
colleagues in the call centre. Can I hand over to
one of you now? Who would like to introduce
themselves first?
Anton: OK, I’ll go. Err. My name’s Anton. Anton
Koster, and I’m a team leader in the call centre.
Maria: Thanks Anton. Could you tell us a bit more?
Anton: Well, I’ve been working here for about four
years. Err… I started off as a call centre operator,
you know, dealing with customers on a day-to-
day basis. Um, but I was recently promoted to
team leader, and I have eight people in my team.
Maria: OK. Thanks, Anton. And can I ask what you
hope to get out of this course?
Anton: Err, I suppose it will help us to be more
efficient in the future.
Maria: Great, thanks. OK, Sally, would you like to
say a few words about yourself?
Sally: Right, well. I’m Sally Croft. I’ve been a team
leader in the call centre for nearly 3 years now. In
my previous role I was a call centre operator, like
all of us, I think. And before that I worked briefly
as a sales rep. Over the last year I’ve been doing
a correspondence course in human resources.
And I’m hoping to get into HR in the future.
Maria: Oh, that’s interesting. Well good luck with
that. Thanks, Sally. OK, what about you, Tanya?
Worksheet answer key
1/2 Answers will vary, but usually, it’s important
to give good first impressions in any business

Business Result Pre-intermediate Unit 16 | Classroom DVD Worksheets © Oxford University Press
situation. Even if the situation is informal, it’s
helpful to prepare what you are going to say
about yourself.
3 The aim of the meeting is for Maria to present
the new training programme for call centre
operators. Maria introduces herself first, and
everyone talks about their current jobs and work
background.
4
Maria Anton Sally
Current job and role Training advisor for 6 Team leader with eight Team leader for 3 years.
months at QPG. people in team.

Previous jobs and roles
Worked in the HR Began as call centre A call centre operator and
department of an IT operator. With company a sales rep.
consultancy. Was for four years.
responsible for hiring and
training up new recruits.
Started in sales.

Professional Certificate in Professional Currently doing a course

development and Sales Practice. in human resources and
future ambitions wants to work in HR.

What the person To get their feedback To make his team more
hopes to achieve from on the new training efficient in the future.
the meeting and new programme and
training programme. improve it.

5 Answers will vary. Maria has prepared and Sally

seems confident because she offers additional
information. Perhaps Anton could give a better
first impression by offering more information in
his personal presentation.