MAERSK Idiomatic Expressions.doc

WORKER: Boss, I want to talk to you about our line of solar powered cars. I dont think it is working properly. Chinas market is different, and we need to build a product that will sell for us. Its not selling, and really hurting the company. 24BOSS: I think you are right. The problem is not just with the solar powered cars, it is with all of our solar powered equipment. The real problem is the solar cells themselves; they just dont produce enough power, and that has been the problem with a number of products. The lack of a strong power source has been a major problem. 18WORKER: Youre correct. I talked with some people in production, and they think they will have a new solar cell ready in six months. But they have always promised the solution is just six months away, and they always seem to bring us a new product after our competitors have already developed a better one. 3 They probably will not be able to meet the time line with a suitable product this time, either. Frankly, the HEAD OF PRODUCTION does not seem to be taking his responsibilities seriously. 53BOSS: Yes, I agree. Do you have a different solution? Do you have an idea as to which way the company should go?WORKER: Well, we could just take everyone from production out and shoot them.BOSS: That may seem like a good idea, but it is probably excessive. 1WORKER: Well, then, I do have a radical new design for building a new type of solar cell. Will you show it to the HEAD OF PRODUCTION?BOSS: Tell me about it. 31WORKER: Actually, Ive got a drawing of the specifications. Here it is. 11BOSS: This is an interesting concept, but I will need someone else to look at all your numbers and see if it is feasible. 5+BOSS: One of the people who works for me has an idea for improving the solar cells we are using in our solar powered cars. I wonder if you would take a look at it.HEAD OF PRODUCTION: One of the people who works for you has a design? Ive met most of the people in your department, and I dont think any of them are qualified. I realize some have taken a few classes in engineering, but they really dont know enough to design a working model. 7BOSS: But youve been having real difficulties in producing a good solar cell. The last one took a very long time to get from design to production. 8 And I have heard that your latest attempt to build one is failing badly.HEAD OF PRODUCTION: Who told you that?BOSS: I dont want to tell you specifically, because you might try to fire them. 6HEAD OF PRODUCTION: I would never do something like that. All the personnel actions in this department are legal, proper and everyone is aware of them! 14BOSS: I didnt mean to insult you. But you must admit the last solar cell your department developed was not very good, and has negatively affected our sales to all our customers, and has caused our yearly profits to decrease greatly. 24HEAD OF PRODUCTION: Yes, that cell has been a real problem for us. In fact, I have heard that if the next one we produce is bad, too, all the contracts we have with our biggest client will be cancelled. 29BOSS: Then, do you want me to tell you about this new design?HEAD OF PRODUCTION: To be honest, I am out of ideas and really dont know what to do next, so I will listen to any good ideas. 60 Go ahead. Im listening. 31+Several weeks later, FOREMAN is speaking with the SALES REPRESENTATIVE.SALES: We have been waiting for weeks for your new solar cell. 8 My sales staff is prepared to make calls to all our customers, but we have nothing to offer them. 30FOREMAN: That is about to change. We have a new solar cell.SALES: I must be honest with you, your department is known in the company for promising a lot but delivering very little. 32 Your products, particularly the solar cells, have been worse than average. FOREMAN: Believe me, developing the best solar cell available has been the most important priority in my department. 59 And we are sure we have made one much better than any other cell on the market. Ive been telling everyone I can in the company about them. 58SALES: Our customers are very picky. Is it cost effective? Made of environmentally friendly material? Durable? Light weight? FOREMAN: I can answer “Yes” to each of you questions. 34 Plus, the overall price is lower per cell than our previous ones.SALES: Our customers would like a lower cost. They are always telling me they looking to save money on expenditures. 10FOREMAN: When all the solar cell producing companies compare sales over the next two years, our company will be in the top position. 20SALES: That would be a dramatic change, since we currently are last in sales of solar cells in comparison to all our competitors. 54FOREMAN: Considering that you are in charge of sales, arent you concerned? You look like you dont worry about anything. 52SALES: Actually, I worry 24 hours a day. 49 My boss is always criticizing me and my staff, but I dont think he could do any better. 48FOREMAN: Do you think he will fire you?SALES: No, I dont think so. If he did, then he would have to do the job himself. No, he always shouts and threatens to move me and my people to another department, but he never actually does anything. 28FOREMAN: Thats good. Well, you can start selling the new solar cell immediately. SALES: Good. I will have my best sales people make calls to customers right away.FOREMAN: Dont worry about just using your best sales people. This product is so good, anyone can make the sale. 46+CUSTOMER: Yes, I realize that using solar cells is very popular right now, but we have been happy with traditional fuel sources. 37SALES: I would recommend you diversify, and use both new technology and traditional power sources, so that you spread the risk. You dont want to risk losing your whole business if there is an oil shortage. 39CUSTOMER: Thats true. But while solar cells promise a lot of improvement, not all the new technology that has come along in the 21st century has actually been as good as promised. 36SALES: I agree. 43 CUSTOMER: We tried to convert to cold fusion a few years back, and there was nothing but confusion and chaos at our plant. It was nothing but trouble. 33SALES: I understand. But our new energy cells are being sold to our preferred customers before they are being released to the general public. 22 You may want to order them now.CUSTOMER: Usually, we wait until a product has been on the market for six months before we buy them. 50SALES: But if you buy these solar cells right now, you will have them before your competitors do, and that will be a big advantage to you. 20CUSTOMER: Okay, we will accept your offer. +Six months later.CUSTOMER: From the very beginning I knew this would a great solar cell. 27 Our new line of solar powered tractors is forcing other companies out of business. BOSS: Thats wonderful. We had heard your company was close to bankruptcy; its good to know you are active and doing well now. 26CU