original url: 37-dealing-with-difficult-staff

Anna is struggling to work with Rachel, Mr Socrates’ favourite Sales Executive. Rachel was sent to help out but she is becoming more of a hindrance and Anna has to deal with it. What will she say?

Language for dealing with a difficult colleague

This episode focuses on what to say when you have to deal with a difficult person at work.

Phrases from the programme:

• I’m concerned that she’s made a mistake that might affect the business.
• She’s not pulling her weight.
• I’m finding it very difficult to work with her.

Listening Challenge

original url: 38-language-for-good-customer-relations

Tense times at Tip Top Trading! Anna is having trouble working with new employee Rachel, who’s making some big mistakes. What can Anna do before Rachel goes too far? How can she salvage the company’s good customer relations?

Language for maintaining good customer relations

This episode focuses on what to say when you have to maintain good relations with your customers.

Phrases from the programme:

• Hello I’m Anna from Tip Top Trading. How are you today?
• I hope you have received our order and are happy with it.
• We do hope you are pleased with our service and that you may use us again.
• Do you have any questions you may want to ask?

Listening Challenge

original url: 39-disciplining-a-member-of-staff

New recruit Rachel has been making life difficult for Anna and she’s been making some bad business decisions. It’s time to give her a warning but who is going to do it and what will they say? How is she going to be disciplined?

Language for giving someone a verbal warning

This episode focuses on what to say when you need to discipline someone and give them a warning.

original url: 40-language-to-use-in-an-appraisal

It’s time for Anna’s appraisal - a chance to review how things are going and to set some challenges for the year ahead. But will Anna like what Paul has to say? Maybe news about Rachel will put a smile on her face?

Language to use in an appraisal

This episode focuses on what to say when you have an appraisal at work.

Phrases from the programme:

• What has gone well for you this year? Give me some examples.
• And what didn’t go so well?
• What should you do more of?
• Let’s look ahead and set some objectives.

Listening Challenge

original url: 41-language-for-health-and-safety

Tom has taken a tumble at Tip Top Trading. He was chasing a mouse but he fell over! What a disaster! Will Anna be able to help and find the right phrases to deal with health and safety at work?

Language to use in a health and safety report

This episode focuses on what to say when you need to talk about health and safety at work.

Phrases from the programme:

original url: 42-language-writing-a-proposal

Anna and Tom are at a pizza restaurant for their dinner date, but Anna has work on her mind. She needs to put together a proposal for her new business idea!

Language to use in a business proposal

This episode focuses on the language to use to make your business proposals really stand out.

Phrases from the programme:

• Exceptional!
• Fantastic!
• Quality.
• Profit.
• Efficiency.
• Value for money.

Listening Challenge