Welcome back to the Skills 360 podcast, today we’re talking about how to say “no.” That’s right, someone asks you for something or to do something, but you have to say “no”. That’s not always easy, but it’s important.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you ever have too much to do in too little time? 2. How do you feel when someone says “no” to you?` 3. What are some ways we can reject or refuse someone nicely?
Why is it so difficult to say “no”? Well, of course you want to be polite, and kind, and agreeable. And if it’s your boss who is asking you for something, you may fear losing favor or opportunities. And if it’s a client or customer asking for something, you might not want to ruin the relationship.
But what I want to tell you is that in many cases you should say no. And you should know how to say it. You need to be clear, firm, and honest.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you usually find it difficult to say “no” when someone asks you to do something? 2. Who do you have the most difficulty saying “no” to? 3. Why do you think saying “no” can sometimes be difficult?
In this Video Vocab lesson, we’ll look at English vocabulary for describing some of the processes involved in managing the supply chain, such as warehousing, purchasing, and materials management. We’ll also cover more advanced concepts such as enterprise resource planning, just in time manufacturing, and quality assurance.
In this Video Vocab lesson, we’ll look at business English vocabulary for describing the basic steps in the supply chain, beginning with suppliers, who sell materials or parts to the manufacturers that assemble products. The products then go to distributors, who transport them to retailers, where they are then sold to consumers or end users.
What do I mean by ‘colorful idioms’? I mean expressions that either use the word ‘color’, or mention a specific color. English is full of these expressions. We have color idioms that describe people, moods, situations, activities, and frequency. We even have some that relate specifically to money and finances.
That’s right. Color is important in all parts of life, including business. Just ask your tailor. He might advise you to wear a dark blue suit to show authority, a grey suit to convey security, or a brown suit to show openness. So, just as you should pay attention to color in your clothes, you should be mindful of color in your speech.
In today’s lesson, we’ll continue with a conversation between Mike and Rachel. They’re talking about the possibility of Rachel changing positions, and her interview experience. In their conversation, you will notice that both Mike and Rachel use several business English idioms related to color. Make a note of these idioms, and we’ll go through the conversation again and look at what they mean.
Listening Questions
1. Why was Rachel embarrassed at her interview? 2. What did Rachel accomplish that Mike is impressed by? 3. What does Mike think Rachel should decide about the job offer?
