Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Junko: Hello, Junko Mori speaking. How can I help you?
Andrea: Hi, Junko, it's Andrea here from Red Band. I'm calling about our latest order.
Junko: Everything arrived OK, right? We got the delivery confirmation at our end.
Andrea: Yes, everything's fine with the order. I'm calling about the invoice and the payment terms. I need a favour.
Junko: A favour? What do you need?
Andrea: This is a little, er ... difficult, but I need an extension on the payment terms. I know they're usually 30 days, but we're having some cash flow problems. You'd really be helping us out if you could extend it to 60 days.
Junko: I'm not sure if I can do that, Andrea. We've got regulations at our end, and also have to manage our own cash flow.
Andrea: I promise this won't become the norm, Junko. Actually, I also want to place another new order. The same size order as last time. It's for an important customer and they pay on delivery.
Junko: I see. So your cash flow problem will be solved after this new order is delivered.
Andrea: Exactly.
Junko: That sounds good. Hold on, Andrea. Let me see what I can do. Yes, I think we can make an exception this time.
Andrea: That's great, Junko. I appreciate your help.
Junko: And we appreciate your business, Andrea. It works both ways.
Andrea: Thanks again, Junko. Can you send me a quick email confirmation of the payment terms extension?
Junko: Sure, no problem. We're happy to help you.
Andrea: Great. And I'll email you the new order.
Junko: Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for it. Talk to you soon.
Andrea: You too. Goodbye.
Sometimes I do. In my area it's important to understand their needs and to know when be open to make exceptions or no.
Hi there!
Normally I don't. But, in special cases, if I'm able to look for some solution or exception, and, if the exception is in the company's policies...so yes, I do.
Normally i do some exceptions, because i don't work in an official company, i'm an independant photographer, so i am open to do some exceptions with special clients.
Unfortunately, I don't ever do favours or make exceptions for important clients. Because, my current job position just needs to do a good job and don't need to communicate about it with clients.
The cash flow is one of the most important things for companies. Even companies sometimes have cash flow management problems, they should know how manage to this problems. If they can't manage them, that will probablly make bigger other problems.
On the one hand, I agree with you and on the another hand, we have to know that the risk is something that we can't escaped from even if we are an excellent manager. Therefore, we feel like, we can pay at time, it's better to wonder an extension.
Making a favour sometimes its a normal, because helping of your client is one of the pillars of your business. so help the customers and keep in your your own cash flow.
Well, This topic reminds me the time when I was a shopkeeper. I had been the shopkeeper before I do my current work. And sure while I was working at a shop, a shop patron came to shopping. He had bought grocery before he had a favour. He forgot to bring money with. He asked me for help. And of course I was happy to help him. He wanted to pay it later. I said "didn't worry about it, let pay it next coming". He was really grateful for what I did. And he had appreciated my help. In short, I have done a favours for my clients
Exceptions happen and I always try to help my clients.
Yes. At the time my client requested to wait for one week to deeply analyze the contract