礼节美语 Boosting Sales I

公司副总裁Lisa找到销售部经理Frank.

Lisa: Frank, we just got our sales figures in and the numbers are very disappointing. What's going on here?

Frank: I haven't actually seen the new figures. How far have we fallen?

L: We were in sixth place at the beginning of the year and we've now slipped to the eleventh! That's a considerable drop.

F: Wow, that's really bad news. Maybe we should brainstorm some ideas for a radical reinvention of our sales and marketing plan.

L: Yeah, let's do that right now. What do you think the problem is?

公司副总裁Lisa找到销售部经理Frank, 因为最新销售数字很令人失望，年初的时候还排名第六，we've now slipped to the eleventh. 如今已经滑落到了第11位，下跌幅度很大，That's a considerable drop. Frank听了这个坏消息，觉得应该 brainstorm some ideas，to brainstorm 是头脑风暴，集思广益的意思，看看怎样彻底调整一下公司的销售和市场规划。Lisa建议，择日不如撞日，说谈就谈，问Frank觉得问题出在哪里。

F: Well, it seems our competitors have managed to carve a niche in the market. They are now perceived as more "cool" or trendy than we are. Perhaps we should consider getting some celebrity endorsements.

L: You mean like a rock star or a famous sports figure?

F: Yeah, that might help. The person has to be seen as kind of a rebel so we can associate our brand with individuality.

L: That's not a bad idea. I'll talk to the Board of Directors about that.

F: I'd also suggest we reevaluate our packaging. Right now the box we sell our product in seems a little drab and colorless.

Frank说，公司的竞争对手 carved a niche in the market 在市场中找到了属于自己的一块地方，niche is spelled n-i-c-h-e, niche 是缝隙的意思，动词 carve 是雕刻，划出的意思。Frank说，现在消费者都觉得公司竞争对手的产品更时尚，因此不妨找两个名人，给公司做产品代言，get some celebrity endorsements, 但选择的名人一定要带有反叛色彩，让用户觉得我们的产品有个性化，individuality. Frank 还建议，眼下的产品包装有些呆板，a little drab, 可以考虑变化一下。Lisa说：

L: Yes, we could redesign our packaging. But on the other hand, there is a recent trend to move away from excessive packaging. You know...to help save the environment.

F: That's another way we could go. We could reduce our packaging, and then advertise our environmentally-friendly business policies. Being"green" is definitely cool these days. Perhaps environmentally-friendly packaging would appeal to a younger customer demographic.

Lisa说，如今的趋势是放弃过度包装，实现包装简单化，因为这样做有利环保 environmentally-friendly. Frank觉得Lisa说得有道理，公司在包装上可以走环保路线，用环保的新思维来吸引年轻客户群，appeal to 是吸引的意思，demographic is spelled d-e-m-o-g-r-a-p-h-i-c, demographic 在这里指的是消费人群中的一部分。

A: 由于销售下降，公司主管brainstorm头脑风暴。他们认为需要get some celebrity endorsements 名人代言，实现包装简单化，be environmentally-friendly, 有利环保。这样才能在市场中立足。

B: Sales is definitely a very tough profession! You need to meet a certain quota every month, otherwise you risk being fired! It needs people who are super creative and work well under pressure!

A: 对啊! 我认识的做销售的朋友都说，他们得找到缓解压力的方法，比如慢跑啊，瑜珈什么的!

B: 是啊! 不过下面的体育美语里，我们要去了解一个更刺激的运动! Biathlon!

ASE Biathlon

Y: Hey What's up, Patrick?

P: Well, Yang Chen, I'm watching the Winter Olympics on TV. Today they are having the biathlon competition.

Y: Biathlon是什么?

P: The biathlon is one part cross country skiing, one part shooting.

Y: That's a real sport?

P: Yep, its pretty entertaining too.

Y: 那biathlon的比赛规则是什么?

P: Well they are timed, so whoever goes through the course the fastest and hits the most targets shooting wins.

Y: 噢，我知道了，这叫冬季两项，就是越野滑雪和射击两项运动。

P: That's why its called the biathlon.

Y: 那要是你 miss the target 没有射中目标怎么办?

P: You have time added to your total.

Y: 就是说速度和射击两项的综合成绩。It's such a weird sport.

P: Oh come on. Yang Chen, you can't say it's weird just because you are not good at it.

Y: It is weird.

P: Well it's a tough sport too. But lucky for us, we're in here watching it on TV.

Y: Watching TV is your number one sport.

P：I'll have you know I am a very accomplished skier.

Y: Accomplished skier? 滑雪好手?

P: It's a shame there are no mountains in downtown Washington, or I'd show you a thing or two.

Y: 幸亏这周围没有山。 万一你摔坏了，我可不想送你到急诊室。

P: What about you, Yang Chen, do you ski?

Y: Oh no. Not me. 我怕冷。

P: You mean your warm personality isn't enough to keep you from getting frostbite?

Y: Don't be sarcastic, Patrick. I just prefer to be warm, that's all. Let's leave the biathlon to other people.

P: Sounds good to me. Pull up a seat and watch a round!

B: It's a tough sport that requires great skiing and shooting skills. Maybe I can give it a try...

A: 哈哈，这回轮到你白日做梦了! 咱俩还是老老实实，等会儿下了班跑跑步去吧!

B: 哈哈，that sounds good! We can jog around the Tidal Basin. The cherry blossoms are in full-bloom!

A: 边锻炼边赏樱花？好主意！好了，这次节目时间就到这里, 同学们，我们下次的美语训练班再见！

B: Bye bye! See you next time!