Our objective in this course is to learn how English is used in a business situation. How do managers talk to their employees, and other managers? How do people talk about their jobs? What kind of special terms and expressions do people use in conducting business in English.  In Case Study 2, we’re concentrating on a company that specializes in designing office buildings. In our last lesson we met Jan Strensland, Project Manager for Seafirst Design. Right now, Jan is discussing some final problems. Let’s sit in on this discussion. Are you ready?
Today's topics:
Jan and the designer make further arrangements for the bank’s trading room.
Now take over the role of the Host and talk to Jan.  Use the following dialogue.
YOU: Can you describe in a little more detail your specific job responsibilities?
YOU: What does a user request look like?
YOU: What do you do with those requests? Do you put out a formal request for proposal?
HOST: As Project Manager, Jan’s responsibilities are varied. Let’s talk to her and try to get more details about her work. We’ll take turns. I’ll talk to her first, and then it’ll be your turn to interview her. Ready?
Listen as the Host interviews Jan.
HOST: Now it’s your turn. You do the interviewing. But remember - Jan is pre-recorded, not live in person, so she won’t wait for you to speak. You have to speak right away. Are you ready? And don’t forget - you have to start the conversation. You speak first.
HOST: How did you do? That’s a good practice, isn’t it? Today we’re completing Case Study 2, so this will be our last visit to Seafirst Design. Let’s look back at some key dialogues we’ve studied. Here are some highlights from Case Study 2.
DESIGNER:   This is really working out better than I thought. It’s “mellower.”    
JAN:   She did a great job, though.    
DESIGNER:   Yes, she sure did.    
JAN:   We’re really pleased.    
DESIGNER:   … sure did.    
JAN:   We really are.    
JAN:   And I have some major projects going. One is the design and construction of a new trading room for a bank.    
DESIGNER:   I would guess that’s probably Thursday.    
JAN:   OK:    
DESIGNER:   How do you look on Thursday?    
JAN:   I’m fine…. I’m wide open on Thursday.    
JAN:   Well, I appreciate it. I know it was a short time-frame.    
PAUL:   Do you really want to have 5000 square feet for the operations area? It seems a little light.   
DESIGNER:   So, we can do it by work station?    
JAN:   Sure.    
DESIGNER:   Great. Great.
JAN:   If it’s a much larger project, I might go out for bids on some of those things.    
DESIGNER:   OK. Let’s do it at ten?    
JAN:   OK:    
DESIGNER:   Ten?    
JAN:   That’s fine.    
DESIGNER:   OK.  
JAN:   The operations area’s pretty well set. They’re not going to be growing all that much.    
PAUL:   There are buildings that are very efficient, and buildings that are not.    
JAN:   Doing projects is much more cost-effective that way.    
DESIGNER:   It’ll be here….    
JAN:   Great.    
DESIGNER:   Honest-it’s in the mail!   
HOST: It’s almost time to end our lesson. But before we do, let’s find out what advice Jan and Paul have for someone interested in a business career. Let’s take turns. I’ll talk to Jan, then you talk to Paul. Here we go.
HOST: Now it’s your turn. Talk to Paul and find out what his advice is. Be ready to ask him several questions. Are you ready? Remember - you have to speak first.
HOST: How did you do? Did you have enough time to ask questions? I hope so. Well, our time is up. In our next program, we’ll take a look at the electronics industry. Join us, won’t you? Until then, goodbye.
YOU: What advice would you give someone considering a career in design?
PAUL: Be willing to spend the first three or four years determining what kind of interior design you want to do. There are so many directions to go in interior design.
YOU: Can you give me an example?
PAUL: There is, of course, the most obvious, and that is, be an interior designer. There are so many others that, that for some people are much more exciting and much more fulfilling for them. One is project management for firms.
YOU: What does a project manager do?
PAUL: Well…, the source of project managers can come from engineering backgrounds, construction backgrounds, design backgrounds, architectural backgrounds. But they represent… generally represent the owner to complete a project. They assist in developing the scope.  They contract the consultant. They work with the contractor, whether it’s negotiated or bid, and develop the contracts with the contractor. They follow the project through construction and they complete occupancy and complete all the necessary requirements for warranties and guarantees that are left after the project. And then they insure that the facility keeps running.
- Outlining a Proposal 4 (Conversation)
- Outlining a Proposal 5 (Interview)
- Highlights
- Career Tips
Outlining a proposal (4)
Outlining a proposal (5)
HOST: Jan, if you are asked to give advice to someone considering a career in business, what would you tell them?
JAN: Get as much in-the-field training as possible. If you can, work it out so that you can go to school two-thirds of the time or half-time and work the other half of the time in your field in related areas. Your…. When you get your degree, your education only begins. It’s…. There’s so much more to learn out there and they day I stop learning is the day I have to look for another job. I know.
HOST: Thank you. Jan.
YOU: What other directions are there?
PAUL: Other avenues are representatives for furniture lines, or sales representatives…, building manager. There are just so many directions that an interior designer can go.
YOU: Thank you, Paul.