Business Result Upper-Intermediate Unit 5: Ethical Business - Business Communication

 

Business Communication/Planning Arrangements

1. When you have an overseas trip for work or you are preparing for someone to visit, how important is the planning stage? What can go wrong with the preparations?

Context

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Hummingbird Teas focuses on speciality teas from countries such as China, India and South Africa. The unique selling point of the business is its ethos. It sources teas from small, local farmers and supports fair trade. It has recently brought in Clare, a PR consultant, to help raise its profile. Clare has been organizing a trip for reporters from ethical consumer magazines to see Hummingbird's operation. She is meeting with the reporters to give details of the trip.

2. Read the Context and answer the questions.

1 What is Hummingbird Teas? 2 What is its USP? 3 Where does it buy its tea? 4 Why does it need Clare? 5 Who has been invited to see the operation?

Listen to Part 1 of the meeting between Clare and the reporters. Make any necessary changes to these notes.

• Trip planned to China or South Africa (to be confirmed)
• Sample answer
  Trip to China (Not South Africa) is confirmed
• Five days travelling around different tea plantations
• Sample answer
  Four days at one tea plantation
• Opportunities for sightseeing will be provided
• Sample answer
  No opportunities for sightseeing
• Two possible dates for trip: February and March
• Sample answer
  Two dates February 15th - 20th, need bookings by January 10th and one in May
• two internal flights
• Sample answer
  A lot of road travel and one internal flight

Listen again. Complete these phrases for explaining the plans and arrangements for the trip.