BBC English at Work #15: Seb Lime

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BBC English at WorkEpisode 15 of 66
More about telephone manner

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Episode 15: Seb Lime. More about telephone manner.

Key Phrases

  • 1Hello, Tip Top Trading, Anna speaking.
  • 2How can I help?
  • 3Who's calling please?
  • 4Let me put you through.

Listening Challenge

What does Seb Lime want Anna to do?

Transcript

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Show translationVietnamese meaning
Active Line0:00 - 0:12
Anna

(answering the phone)

0:12
Denise

Stop! That's all wrong. I'm going to call you again. This time…

0:24
Narrator

Hello. Here we are in the middle of a telephone training session with Denise and Anna. What fun!

0:36
Denise

…this time, you don't say 'yes' when you answer, it's rude. Call me and I'll show you how it's done. (sound of 4 - digit dialling, then phone rings) Hello? Tip Top Trading.

0:48
Anna

Wow, that’s good.

1:00
Denise

And, you can say your name. Hello? Tip Top Trading. Denise speaking. Try it. (dialling, then ring)

1:12
Anna

Hello? Tip Top Trading. Denise speaking.

1:24
Denise

No!

1:36
Anna

What? e person has introduced themself – this is Mrs Smith or

1:48
Denise

Say: " Anna speaking!"

2:00
Anna

Oh, sorry, I'm so stressed by all this. Hello Anna speaking.

2:12
Denise

You sound like you're sitting on a pineapple. Listen to my voice: Hello? Denise speaking.

2:24
Anna

Hello? Anna speaking.

2:36
Denise

Good. Now, when th whatever, say: Hello Mrs Smith, how can I help you? Or, if you know them already, you might say: Hello Mrs Smith, how are you?

2:47
Mr Lime

Okay, what if Mrs Smith wants to speak to Tom but he's not there? You say: " I'm really sorry, he's not available at the moment. Can I take a message?" Or: " I'm afraid he's busy, shall I ask him to call you back?" Okay. And, to end a conversation, you can say: " Thank you for calling, goodbye." Let's do another practice! (phone rings) Hello? Tip Top Trading. Hello, this is Mrs Smith. Hello Mrs Smith, how can I help you? I'd like to speak to Tom please. I'm really sorry, he's not available at the moment. Can I take a message? That's okay, I'll try again later. Okay. Thank you for calling, goodbye. Excellent! (phone rings) Oh! How did you call me without dialling? I didn't, that's a real call! Oh no, I'm all nervous now. Hello? Tip Top Trading. This is Anna speaking. Hello Anna, this is Seb Lime. Sublime? Mr Lime from Citrus Ventures. But I think we should be on first name terms now, so call me Seb. Okay, er, Seb. How can I help you? I just wanted to say again that your Imperia l Lemon is fantastic... and I was wondering if you'd like to do lunch with me sometime?

2:59
Anna

Lunch? Er...

3:11
Narrator

I knew it! Mr Lime is interested in more than just your lemons!

3:23
Anna

Would you like to discuss the Imperial Lemon? the lemons Anna! The reason I want to see you is more of a

3:35
Mr Lime

Forget personal nature. Er... Can I call you back? I'm afraid I'm a bit busy at the

3:47
Anna

Personnel? moment...

3:59
Mr Lime

…bbbut…

4:11
Denise

Well Anna! Mr Lime eh?

4:23
Anna

Oh dear Denise, I think I need a bit more help from you. He wants to talk about personnel…people, staffing…

4:35
Denise

Are you sure? I think he means a personal nature, not personnel! That Mr Lime!

4:47
Anna

Oh! r

4:59
Narrator

Mr Lime indeed. Anyway, Anna had an excellent phone manner. Let's hea those phrases again: Hello? Tip Top Trading. This is Anna speaking. Hello? Anna speaking. Hello Mrs Smith, how can I help you? Hello Mrs Smith, how are you? I'm really sorry, he's not available at the moment. Can I take a message? fraid he's busy – shall I ask him to call you back? I'm a Thank you for calling, goodbye. But how is Anna going to handle Mr Lime's request? I can't wait till next time! Bye!