PART ONE: INTERVIEW

　　(1) How important is it for a company to have regular meetings?(Why?)

　　定期開會對公司有何重要性?(為什么?)

　　Very important. It is an effective way to collect ideas, let know and ask for suggestions for solutions to problems.

　　(2) What do you think makes a conference interesting?

　　什么能使會議吸引人?

　　Up-to-date technologies can make a conference interesting, such as OHP and PowerPoint to give illustrations.

　　(3) Could some meetings be replaced by other form of communication?(Why?/Why not?)

　　一些會議可否由其他溝通形式替代?(為什么?)

　　Yes. For instance, meetings for brainstorming, data gathering and sharing, planning for specific events and projects, etc. could be done by memos, letters, conference calls and E-mail. These forms can sometimes be more effective.

　　(4) Do you think there will be any need for meetings in the future?(Why?/Why not?)

　　你認(rèn)為將來還有必要開會嗎?(為什么?)

　　Yes. Even in the future when people E everything, people still desire to meet face to face in order to discuss, gather information and do business.

　　PART TWO: MINI-PRESENTATION

　　What is important when…?

　　Planning a meeting 策劃召開會議需考慮哪些要點?

　　l Agenda 會議議程

　　l Size 規(guī)模

　　Greating an agenda is very important when planning a meeting. Doing so helps participants know what they should be talking about and keeps the conversation focused. All items to be discussed at the meeting should be listed on the agenda and the purpose of each item should be clearly indicated. Make sure copies of the agenda are available before the meeting.

　　The size of a meeting depends on its purpose. A meeting for passing on information to employees can be fairly large, for few questions and comments are expected from the audience. If it’s a meeting where different ideas are contributed and a decision is to be reached, its size should be controlled to save time.

　　A suitable venue is also important. It should be a place convenient to all participants so that everyone can arrive on time.

　　策劃召開會議的時候準(zhǔn)備一個會議日程非常重要。這樣做有助于參加者了解他們應(yīng)該討論的重焦點以及保持談話的重點。所有這些在會上討論的項目都應(yīng)列在日程表中而且每個項目的目的也應(yīng)明確表示。確保日程表的復(fù)印件在會前分發(fā)給與會者。

　　會議的規(guī)模根據(jù)其目的決定。如果會議是為了把信息傳遞給員工，要從員工那里得到問題和評論的反饋的話，可以有相當(dāng)大的規(guī)模。如果是因為不同想法開會來做決定，可以控制規(guī)模以節(jié)省時間。

　　一個合適的場所也非常重要。這個場所應(yīng)該方便所有參加者，這樣能讓每個人按時到達(dá)。

　　What is important when…?

　　Preparing for a product launch 籌備產(chǎn)品推介會需考慮哪些要點?

　　l People involved 參加人員

　　l Cost 成本

　　When preparing for a product launch, it’s important to consider people involved. Account executives, sales managers, and critical selling team members should be included. These people know customers as well as the product and can ensure proper communication of selling points to all prospective customers to accelerate their acceptance of the product.

　　Cost is always an important factor to consider, although it is not the most important concern when preparing for a product launch. For a product launch, the purpose is to put across a good image of the product for market success, and that needs money. The money will not be wasted if the launch is well handled and the cost will be justified by subsequent good sales figures.

　　An integrated launch plan is the most important. It is what a successful product launch requires. All elements of the launch process must complement each other, providing consistent messages to achieve the desired goals of attracting the prospective customer.

　　在籌備一個產(chǎn)品推介會的時候，考慮參加人員非常重要�？蛻艚�(jīng)理，銷售主管以及重要的銷售團(tuán)隊成員都應(yīng)該參加。這些人了解客戶也了解產(chǎn)品且可以確保與所有的潛在客戶對賣點進(jìn)行適當(dāng)?shù)臏贤ㄒ源偈顾麄兘邮墚a(chǎn)品。

　　成本總是一個需要考慮的因素，雖然在準(zhǔn)備發(fā)布會時這不是最為重要的問題。關(guān)于產(chǎn)品發(fā)布，目的是展示產(chǎn)品的良好形象以取得銷售上的成功，這是需要經(jīng)費的。如果發(fā)布會成功舉辦，這些錢就不會被浪費，而且隨后良好的銷售記錄將證明這筆費用是值得的。

　　一個完整的發(fā)布計劃也是很重要的。這是成功產(chǎn)品發(fā)布會必不可少的。發(fā)布會的每個過程必須相輔相成，提供統(tǒng)一的信息來完成所期待的目標(biāo)--吸引潛在客戶。

　　What is important when…?

　　Chairing a meeting 主持會議需考慮哪些要點?

　　l Preparation 準(zhǔn)備

　　l Keeping to the agenda 按會議議程進(jìn)行

　　Being a chairman does not just mean opening and ending the meeting. Careful preparation is very important. Before the meeting, a chairman should consult with the secretary regarding the agenda, ensure that all people involved have been notified so that participants have time to prepare.

　　Keeping to the agenda is another thing to be given due consideration. The chair should see that the meeting does not get off-topic so that all items listed on the agenda will be discussed at the meeting to achieve its original purpose. It can also avoid the common problem of repetition.

　　Keeping to times is also important. If the start and end times of the meeting aren’t honored, it will prevent the meeting from reaching its objective and cause participants to feel frustrated.

　　作為一個會議主持者并不只是意味著為會議做開場和結(jié)束。細(xì)致的準(zhǔn)備也很重要。在開會之前，主持者應(yīng)該與秘書就日程進(jìn)行確認(rèn)，確保所有的參加者得到通知因此也有足夠的時間做準(zhǔn)備。

　　按會議議程進(jìn)行是另一個需要考慮的因素。主持者應(yīng)該看到會議沒有偏離主題因此所有的項目將被討論的項目都在日程表中列出，以實現(xiàn)其初衷。這樣也能夠避免重復(fù)同一個問題。

　　保證時間也很重要。如果不遵守開始和結(jié)束的時間，將會阻止會議使其達(dá)不到預(yù)期目標(biāo)而且會讓與會者感到不耐煩。

　　PART THREE: DISCUSSION

　　Organizing Sales Conferences

　　The export sector of your company is expanding, and plans are being discussed for organizing annual conferences for overseas agents. You have been asked to make recommendations for the proposal. Discuss, and decide together:

　　l What would be the benefits of annual conference for participants

　　l What could be the content of the conferences

　　組織銷售會議

　　隨著你們所在公司海外業(yè)務(wù)的不斷擴大，公司計劃為海外銷售代理商組織舉辦年會，并正對此展開討論。請你們對該計劃提出建議。討論并決定：

　　l 年會能給參加者帶來什么好處

　　l 會議應(yīng)該包含哪些內(nèi)容

　　A: You see, the export sector of our company is expanding and we have an increasing number of overseas agents.

　　B: Yeah. With more and more agents working for us around the world, how to keep them on track is a problem. It is a good idea to hold annual conferences for them.

　　A: There are many benefits to do so for the participants. To start with, those conferences can work as an information relay station for the purpose of spreading information to keep participants well informed about what’s going on in the company and in the industry.

　　B: That’s what I see it. And also, the conferences offer a platform for them to share valuable experience, exchange views, discuss work and solve problems.

　　A: Yeah. In this way, informal meeting between participants is made possible which can lead to closer contact and is good to the company as a whole.

　　B: You’re right. Although communication can be done by other forms such as newsletter or E-mail, they can never replace personal contact.

　　A: That’s why face-to-face meetings and conferences are still considered the most useful forms for interpersonal communication.

　　B: We should also give thought to content if the conferences are to be successful and not just a formality and a waste of time for everyone.

　　A: In my opinion, there should be a review of what is done in the past year to give the participants an overall picture of overseas sales, including achievements and whatever that needs improvement.

　　B: That means there should be sales reports to let participants know about how their products sell and the market situations in different parts of the world.

　　A: So they have something to learn from and avoid making the same mistakes.

　　B: And of course there have to be plans to set goals and targets for the overseas agents to accomplish in the coming year.

　　A: This can be done by getting the participants to look at the plans and gathering their ideas to reach more informed and workable final decisions.

　　B: And last but not the least, I think an award ceremony should be arranged to award “ Agents of the Year” who have achieved the best sales figures.

　　A: Good idea! I believe this will be an effective way to boost morale and encourage people to work harder in the days to come.

　　A: 你知道，我們公司海外業(yè)務(wù)正不斷擴大，我們在海外的代理商數(shù)量也不斷增加。

　　B：是的，隨著世界各地越來越多的代理商為我們工作，怎樣保證他們走上正軌是一個問題。為他們舉辦年會是一個好主意。

　　A:舉辦年會對參加者來說有許多好處，首先，那些會議將會作為一個信息中轉(zhuǎn)站來傳遞信息以保證與會者對公司和行業(yè)的發(fā)展有所了解。

　　B：那是我所看到的。而且會議也為他們提供了分享有價值的經(jīng)驗、彼此交換觀點、討論工作以及解決問題的一個平臺。

　　A：是的，這樣的話，與會者之間非正式的會議可以使與會者的關(guān)系，總體上會給公司帶來好處。

　　B：是的。雖然溝通可以通過其他比如快訊或者郵件形式，但這些不能代替人際交往。

　　A:這就是為什么面對面開會仍然是人際溝通最重要、最有用的形式。

　　B:我們應(yīng)該考慮會議的內(nèi)容，如果會議要取得成功且不只是流于形式，浪費大家的時間。

　　A:我的觀點是，應(yīng)該對過去的幾年做一個回顧，讓與會者對海外銷售有一個總體的印象，包括所取得的成績以及所需要改進(jìn)的地方。

　　B：那就意味著需要用銷售報告來讓人們了解產(chǎn)品銷售的如何以及世界各地的不同的銷售情況。

　　A:可以讓他家以此為借鑒避免發(fā)生相同的錯誤。

　　B：當(dāng)然也需要做一個計劃關(guān)于海外代理商在未來的一年所要達(dá)成的目標(biāo)。

　　A：與會者通過閱讀計劃以及集思廣益以來做明智可行的決定可以達(dá)成目標(biāo)。

　　B：最后，我認(rèn)為頒獎典禮上應(yīng)該設(shè)置一個“年度代理商”獎來獎勵取得最好的銷售業(yè)績的代理商。

　　A：好主意!我相信這將是鼓舞士氣一個有效的方法，也會鼓舞人們在未來的日子里更加努力的工作。

　　(1) Do you think meetings a waste of time?(Why?/Why not?)

　　你認(rèn)為會議是浪費時間嗎?(為什么?)

　　I don’t think so. People can benefit a lot from well-planned meetings.

　　(2) Should companies which send overseas agents to conferences be consulted about the content?(Why?/Why not?)

　　舉辦海外經(jīng)銷商會議，該不該請派代表參加的公司參與協(xié)商會議內(nèi)容?(為什么?)

　　Yes. In this way, better communication can be achieved and the conferences can be more relevant and fruitful.

　　(3) What kinds of data should be provided for agents at this kind of conference?(Why?)

　　這類會議應(yīng)該為經(jīng)銷商提供什么信息和材料?(為什么?)

　　Some data can be very important, like sales targets and goals to reach, as well as promotion plans including information about the new products to be sold. They should be provided for agents to inform, to share and to implement.

　　(4) How important is networking in the modern business world?(Why?)

　　建立人際關(guān)系網(wǎng)在現(xiàn)代商務(wù)領(lǐng)域有何重要性?(為什么?)

　　Very important. It can help understand the market, to gain information and even to find business opportunities.

　　(5) Should a company stop sending staff to conferences if it is having financial difficulties?(Why?/Why not?)

　　如果某個公司出現(xiàn)財務(wù)困難狀況，是否應(yīng)該不再派員工參加會議?(為什么?)

　　No. it should not stop doing that altogether but can reduce the number of trips and send staff to really good conferences.