Launching the Diamondback Grille - Episode 1 ©秦苏珊

　　[on the phone]

　　April: Hello, International Marketing.

　　Cindy: Hello, I'd like to speak with a Mr. Bob Randall...

　　April: This is April Butler, of the International Marketing Group. May I ask who’s calling please?

　　Cindy: This is Cindy Li. I want to talk with Mr. Randall, please.

　　[pause while call is transferred. Then, April and Bob on the internal line]

　　April: Hi, Bob. I have a Cindy Li. I think it’s long-distance.

　　Bob: Great. That must be China. Our new franchise. Could you patch her in?

　　April: [back with Cindy] Please hold while I transfer you to Mr. Randall.

　　Cindy: Thank you. [April connects Cindy and Bob]

　　Bob: Hello, this is Bob Randall.

　　Cindy: Hello, Bob? This is Cindy Li. How are you?

　　Bob: Not bad, and yourself? How’s the weather in Shanghai these days?

　　Cindy: The weather's been cool.

　　Bob: So, Cindy, all of us are really looking forward to working with the China team on this rollout. You’re in marketing too, right?

　　Cindy: I am now Vice President of Marketing for Diamondback Grille-Shanghai. Mr. Liu is my boss.

　　Bob: And you have a restaurant background, if I’m not mistaken.

　　Cindy: Yes. Yes. My experience is working in the hospitality industry.

　　Bob: Great! Well, I’ve got a ten o’clock, so let’s get started. We’ve got a December launch slated, so we can work backwards from that timeline.

　　Cindy: I’m sorry, can you repeat that?

　　Bob: Sorry, am I talking too fast? It’s one of my bad habits-- just tell me to slow down.

　　Cindy: No, no. You are fine. But what did you say about December?

　　Bob: That’s our targeted launch date. So I’m thinking we will want a press conference around November, and all the sales and marketing work in place by then.

　　Cindy: Bob, we have a lot of work to do. What is the best way for us to work together?

　　Bob: Phone and email at first, then I'd like to get over to Shanghai in about 5 weeks. Does that work for you?

　　Cindy: Of course, we welcome you to Shanghai any time.

　　Bob: I was wondering if you could shoot me over your action items. We have a standard Diamondback Grille corporate marketing and communications handbook that I’ll overnight it to you.

　　Cindy: OK, Bob. But, may I ask, on our email communication, should I copy anyone?

　　Bob: Good question. Let’s say at the beginning to copy both line managers and support staff. After a month or so, we can see if that’s always needed.

　　Cindy: OK. Thank you.

　　Bob: I’ll email you in a couple of days. I’ve got to run. Take care.

　　1.在一般的工作场合，接电话的招呼语为“hello”，紧接的是表明自己的身份，例如：This is Cindy. = This is Cindy speaking.

　　2.要找某个人的时候，可以这么问：Is this Bob? 或 Is Bob there?

　　3.如果对方要找的人不在或无法接听电话，你可以这么回答：I’m sorry, Bob is not available at the moment.(抱歉，Bob现在无法接听电话。这种说法在几种不同的情况下都可以用，他不在单位，他在开会，他正忙着，或他不愿意接听电话，等等。)你也可以这么回答：Bob has stepped away from his desk. (Bob 暂时离开座位。)

　　4.如果需要对方在电话上稍候片刻，等你确认或转接，可以这么说：Please hold while I check to see if Mr. Li is available.(请稍等，让我看看李先生在不在。)或是：Can you hold while I put you through (=transfer you) to Mr. Li?(请稍等，我帮您转接李先生。)

　　5.I have a Cindy. = There is a person called Cindy on the line. 有位名叫Cindy的人在线上。

　　6.Patch的意思是补丁，临时性的东西。这里的用法是源自一种老式的中央电话交换机设备。每一个电话用户的电话线会接到中央交换机板(switchboard)上的一个插孔，operator(接线员)把一条patch cord(临时接线)的两端分别插入calling party(主叫方)和called party(被叫方)的插孔，就能完成接线，双方就可以开始通话。Patch someone in意思是把某个人接进来，接上我的线。例如：Could you patch Mary in? = Could you connect Mary to my line?

　　7.Does that work for you? = Is that workable at your end? = Is that convenient for you?(你方便吗？)

　　8.Overnight是隔夜的意思。很多快递公司有隔夜速递的服务(overnight service)，使用这种服务时，很多人会把这个字当动词用。如果有人告诉你“I’ll overnight it to you.”你便知道基本上第二天早上会收到东西。