Episode 01

Philip is the CEO of WebWare, an IT company. He needs to hire a new sales director as soon as possible.

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises. You can also read the transcript.

Preparation

Transcript

Philip: You what? What do you mean? You've lost the DollarMart contract? Oh, Brian, tell me you're joking! That's our biggest contract and you've lost it! OK ... OK ... yes, I know you've had some personal problems recently. Yes, sure ... yes, I know our competitors have improved their offer, but really, Brian, these are just excuses. Oh, Brian, come on – you failed to meet agreed targets for the entire last quarter. We talked about this in your last performance review and I told you then it had to improve, and to be quite honest – it hasn't. Losing the DollarMart contract is the last straw. No, I'm sorry, Brian, that's it. That's your last chance. I'm going to have to let you go. Let you go. Yes, that's what it means, Brian. You're fired.

Hi, Jess. Can you put me through to Marcia in HR, please? Thank you.

Hi, Marcia. It's Philip here. Listen, I've had to let Brian go. He lost us the DollarMart account. Yeah, but it had been going on for a while, and he just wasn't pulling his weight any more. He'd been warned. His last performance review was really bad. He knew it was coming. So, we'll be looking for someone new and we'll need to decide on who that is. 

Who are we looking for? Good question. I was hoping you might be able to help me with that! Here's what I'm thinking and let me know if you agree. Well, obviously, they'll need to have a first degree. Doesn't matter what subject. And then a master's or an MBA, I'd say. 

Experience? At least five years' relevant experience in an international company. I want somebody with a proven track record. Oh, they have to be a team player – Brian never was – so strong interpersonal skills. Oh, and I want someone with vision ... yes, 'vision'! Well, I know it’s difficult to define. What I mean is, someone who knows we're in a rapidly changing market, and they can use it to our advantage.

Experience with online sales, perhaps but ... yes, I'd be interested in that. Oh, language skills. I can't emphasise that enough. Not necessarily a native speaker, but they must be very good at English. And another language as well – Spanish, or Mandarin is best.

Does that sound OK to you? Great. OK, can you get an ad out on the website as soon as possible? Oh, and the trade press as well. OK, great. Thanks, Marcia. I want a new sales director by the end of the month. Bye!

Task 1

Task 2

Discussion

Download
Worksheet90.3 KB
Average: 4.1 (41 votes)

Submitted by Samand Ibrahimi on Wed, 23/01/2019 - 10:04

Permalink
Dear Sir/ Madam This is Samand Ibrahimi new member of this course. I have a question about (Do the Preparation task first. Then watch the video. Next go to Task and do the activity. If you need help, you can read the transcript at any time.) 1: the preparation part is empty 2: I can not find the video and 3rd one I can not make changes in the activity section. what should I do?

Hello Samand Ibrahimi

Welcome to LearnEnglish! I've just checked the page and it's working properly for me. I'm sorry for the inconvience, but if it's still not working for you, I would suggest you try using a different device and/or a different web browser to view it. If you still can't see the tasks or video, please let us know what browser version you are using and we'll see if we can discover what's wrong.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Luis Tomas on Sun, 02/12/2018 - 21:16

Permalink
Thank you Team. The lesson was great!

Submitted by hermann.mathow on Wed, 19/09/2018 - 17:55

Permalink
Well guys, about the third question from Task 1 I would like to comment the following: Phil asks explicitly for a “five years' relevant experience, in an international company”, not necessarily an international experience. I´ve worked for a multinational for a while and yet, I haven´t been expatriated. Therefore, I´ve worked for an international company but I did not have an international experience! Could answer B be the right one? “a higher degree and five years ‘experience?” Many thanks

Hi hermann.mathow,

You have clearly understood the conversation, so I would say that yes, your answer is correct. 'five years' international experience' isn't the best wording -- I'll change it to 'five years' experience in an international company' to clarify what is meant here.

Thanks very much for taking the time to ask about this.

Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Abfalter Cristian

Submitted by Abfalter Cristian on Sun, 09/09/2018 - 16:28

Permalink
Great lesson and the tasks too, thank you britishcouncil !
Profile picture for user Omba

Submitted by Omba on Fri, 31/08/2018 - 11:34

Permalink
Very good for listening. I will need to improve my speaking also
Profile picture for user Aylin Bekem

Submitted by Aylin Bekem on Thu, 09/08/2018 - 17:54

Permalink
Done with no mistakes ! good job for me :)