Contents

=> So, You Think You Know Business English? by Mathew McMillion
=> A Korean Hotel Experience from Phil Venuti
=> Read about Kevin’s Brother
=> In the Next Issues

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So, You Think You Know Business English?
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Here is some absolutley up-to-date business jargon, sent to “ETs in Russia” by Matthew McMillion.

DIRECTIONS:
The following expressions were all spoken during a one-hour business meeting at a prestigious software corporation in Silicon Valley (a string of cities recognized as the computer capital of the USA), California. Match the sayings
with the definitions that follow.

(Answers below, after “ABOUT MATTHEW”)

<>Expressions<>
A. “Sweeten the pot”
B. “That deal is on the radar”
C. “Our cash cow”
D. “Show us the love”
E. “Building traction”
F. “Field engagement”
G. “100% in synch”
H. “a big ship”
I. “That’s a touch point”

<>Definitions<>

1. Achieving measurable results with a customer or business partner. Not just “spinning the wheels,” but making progress.

2. An expression asking a client or company to display their loyalty and attention through cooperation and/or purchases.

3. A subject or topic that needs to be discussed. Perhaps a crucial detail on a contract.

4. a large company or organization.

5. working together in harmony.

6. To add something to the negotiation so it is more desirable to the buyer.

7. A product or service that brings the company a large percentage of its money.

8. When representatives of a company are in personal contact with customers as opposed to just speaking over the phone or exchanging emails.

9. A potential deal/purchase being visible and expected to happen.

<>About Matthew McMillion<>
MM is an executive in the software industry, with 11 years of experience working with Fortune 500 corporations and hundreds of other businesses in America and throughout the World.

Now in California, he once lived in Russia for a number of months. He loves Russia and plans to return in the future to teach English.

<>Anwers<>
A. “Sweeten the pot” = 6. To add . . .
B. “That deal is on the radar” = 9. A potential . . .
C. “Our cash cow” = 7. A product . . .
D. “Show us the love” = 2. An expression . . .
E. “Building traction” = 1. Achieving . . . .
F. “Field engagement” = 8. When . . . .
G. “100% in synch” = 5 Two or . . .
H. “They’re a big ship” = 4. Describes

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KOREAN HOTEL EXPERIENCE
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My friend and past contributor to “ETs in Russia” Phil Venuti works for Hewlitt Packard. His job often takes him to various countries. What follows is an excerpt from a letter he wrote about his hotel in Seoul, Korea.

Any readers who work in a hotel, please pass this on to your superiors. Here’s what Phil wrote…

<>“I’m in a different hotel than last time and I have to say the service here is probably the best of any hotel I’ve ever stayed in.

When I arrived a young man opened my taxi door for me — “Hello, Mr. Venuti.” How did he know? I walked into the lobby and a young woman rushed up to me — “Hello, Mr. Phil. Please come with me and I’ll take you to your room.”
No waiting in line. No nothing.

They have a golf range, botanical garden, 7 restaurants, free cell [mobile] phone usage while in Seoul, free high-speed Internet, good candies in the room, and lots more. And it’s only $130/night, which is quite low in the corporate world.<>

Discussion Questions for Class

1. Have you ever stayed in a hotel?
2. Describe a nice hotel you stayed in.
3. Describe a bad hotel you stayed in.
4. How do you think hotels are different in your country and other countries?
5. Is the kind of service Phil describes possible in your country? If not, why?
6. How important is good service?
7. How much do you think a hotel costs in your city?
8. What amenities do your local hotels offer? (Amenities are free extras like breakfast, TV, phone, sauna, pool mobile phone usage)

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Cool Link about Kevin’s Brother
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Some of you know that Kevin’s brother is a rock star. Read about him in this article from CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/ Music/04/15/scott.mccaughey/index.html

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Conferences
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<>CONFERENCES<>

YAKUTSK: TESOL Conference.
June 9-11. Contact: Larissa Zolotareva,
larazo@mail.ru

VLADIVOSTOK: 5th Pan-Asian Conference hosted
By FEELTA, June 24-27, 2004
http://www.dvgu.ru/rus/partner/education/feelta/pac5/

SAMARA: TESOL-ELT, June 29-30:
“New Vistas” conference
Info: ioofs@samara.ru

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In the Next Issues
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Issue #63 (around June 6, 2004):
Love Across Borders: Discussion
75,000 Russian women have married foreigners . . .

Issue #64 (around June 20, 2004):
Summer Camp Games

Issue #65 (around July 2, 2004):
More business Jargon from Matthew McMillion,
and a Russian-hotel-brochure-correction
activity

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Copyright 2004 Kevin McCaughey & I.M. Poosheesty