「予算・見積もり」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
MISSION LUMBER INC.
Vine and 5th
Delavin, WI 53009
1-800-266-3054
ESTIMATE FOR: Delavin Designs
DATE: June 17
Items:
1 container 2” x 4” lumber (Douglas fir) $4,525.00
1/2 container 2” x 6” lumber (pine) $2,033.00
1/2 container 6” x 6” lumber (cedar) $2,820.00
Method of shipment: Land
Method of payment: To be determined
Note: This estimate is valid for 30 days from the date above. Prices include tax.
「予算・見積もり」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
TO: Marie Abbott
FROM: Sam Bartruff
DATE: November 3
SUBJECT: Budget proposal
I’m working on the budget proposal and wanted to confirm some things with you. You mentioned in last week’s meeting that the proposal deadline is November 9. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the 9th is a Sunday. Even if the deadline were changed to Monday the 10th, I’m afraid that wouldn’t give me enough time to finish it. I’m waiting for the people in charge to submit some figures—specifically, this year’s advertising and building maintenance costs. I’ve been told I would have the building maintenance data by Thursday. Advertising is in the midst of a campaign that is scheduled to end on Friday, which means they should be able to give me what I need by early next week. If everything goes smoothly, you will have the proposal by Thursday the 13th. I appreciate your patience.
企業は、新しい商品やサービスを生み出して業績を伸ばしていかないと、消費者のニーズの変化について行けず、衰退してしまいます。そのため、企業では毎年、前年を上回る年間売上目標を掲げ、新商品や新販路の開発にかかる費用、人件費などを予測し、目標実現に必要な予算（budget）を策定して、取締役会の承認を得ます。予算の途中変更は原則認められないので、予算決定後、各プロジェクトで外部の会社に仕事を発注する際には、あらかじめ見積書（estimate）を取り、予算内に収まることを確認してから発注をします。この項では、ビジネスで最も大切な予算、見積もりに関わる語句を覚えましょう。
「流通」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
TO: Distribution department staff
FROM: Faith Marshall
DATE: May 15
SUBJECT: Review of distribution practices
Now that our company is marketing some products online, it has become increasingly necessary to review our distribution practices. In order to serve our customers better (i.e., offer them fair prices) in retail outlets, it is probably best to streamline traditional distribution channels. This would most likely indicate creating a route leading straight from us, the producer, to retailers, so that our products can be sold at prices closer to those we offer online. Creating such a route would also mean a substantial cut in distribution costs, which is a boon for our company. I would like to hold a meeting next week to go over what needs to be done in terms of logistics. Please keep Tuesday morning open for that.
「流通」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
NEW DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL ESTABLISHED
The distribution department is happy to announce that a new distribution channel will be used starting next quarter. The firm Direct Marketing has agreed to act as our wholesaler. Our former wholesaler was located too far from our factory and was no longer able to offer competitive prices for their services. Direct Marketing is a relative newcomer in this area, but has already established strong connections not only with local retailers, but also with retailers large and small in neighboring states. It is also headed by one of our former employees, Jacob Ramsey, which means that the firm is familiar with the types of products we manufacture. We look forward to a smooth and lasting relationship with Direct Marketing.
英語学習の定番に「洋書を読む」という方法があります。とはいえ洋書は一般的な本よりは手に入れにくいもの。そこで気になるツールが電子書籍です。
Amazon.com が販売する電子書籍リーダー「Kindle」は、英語圏のストアで販売されている膨大な数の洋書が揃っています。価格もお値打ち、オンラインですぐ入手可能、さらに辞書や単語帳といった学習者向けの便利機能も満載。もう無敵に思えるほど。
他方、紙の本を用いた学習は Kindle を使った学習に勝るという調査結果も報告されています。一長一短という側面もあるという点は留意しておくべきかもしれません。
Part4形式リスニングテストです。
音声を聞いて25～27の問題を解いてみましょう。
Part4形式リスニングテストです。
音声を聞いて16～18の問題を解いてみましょう。
Part3形式リスニングテストです。
音声を聞いて13～15の問題を解いてみましょう。
Part3形式リスニングテストです。
音声を聞いて7～9の問題を解いてみましょう。
英語には「アメリカ英語」と「イギリス英語」という大きな区分があり、大部分は同じ英語とはいえ一部の単語の意味や発音、言い回しなどに微妙な違いが見られます。
スラングの中にもアメリカ英語とイギリス英語の違いが見られます。一方でしか使われていないスラングもあります。
スラング自体、英語学習の中で触れる機会は多くありません。加えて英語学習で接する英語表現は、どちらかといえばアメリカ英語寄りだったりするので、イギリス英語に特有のスラングというとかなりの手練れでも耳慣れない表現だったりします。
続きを読む
海外の小説が翻訳されて日本の書店に並ぶように、日本で出版された書籍も海外で翻訳されて読まれています。古典から現代小説、マンガに至るまで、幅広いジャンルの本が英語をはじめとする諸言語で少なからず愛好されています。
日本語はただでさえ他の言語に翻訳しにくいのに、作品のタイトルともなればなおさら単純素朴には訳せないケースが増えます。それだけに、作品タイトルの訳には、名訳、珍訳、新たな発見を示唆してくれる含蓄ある訳にも多く出会えます。
続きを読む
「クレームと謝罪・対応」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
To: Eileen Chen, Top Trends
From: Diane Reeves, Tindal Industries
Date: April 7
Subject: Lawn chairs
Dear Eileen,
Please accept our apology for what has happened. There is no excuse for disappointing a valued customer like Top Trends.
I will see to it that replacements for all of the chairs be sent to your store immediately. I will inform the driver of the delivery truck to remove the entire first shipment from your store at that time.
As compensation for this inconvenience, I would like to offer a 20% discount on the chairs, and 10% off all future purchases. The 20% discount for this order will be reflected in the new invoice.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. I assure you this will never happen again.
Diane
「クレームと謝罪・対応」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
To: Diane Reeves, Tindal Industries
From: Eileen Chen, Top Trends
Date: April 7
Subject: Defective chairs
Dear Diane,
This is in regard to the order of 20 lawn chairs we received from you on April 6. Upon inspection, we found that the armrests of five of the chairs had some kind of chemical stain on them. In addition, all the chairs had scratch protectors missing from their legs, and some of the legs showed signs of rust.
This is the first time we’ve ever received defective products from your company and needless to say, we’re shocked. We really like the design of these chairs and want to start selling them in time for the warm weather. What are we to do? I’d appreciate hearing from you as soon as possible.
仕事上の大きなミスは、ミスをした個人の業績評価を下げるだけでなく、企業の信用問題にかかわる重大な問題となります。納品されたものの仕様が間違っている、納品期日に商品が届かない、問い合わせの対応が悪いなどといった場合、顧客は営業担当者や顧客サービス窓口へ苦情（complaint）を伝えます。事実確認をして自社のミスであれば誠実に謝罪し、製造のやりなおし、値引き、返金のほか、次回購入割引を約束するといった埋め合わせ（compensation）をする場合があります。テストでは、クレームやそれに対する謝罪文書などがよく出題されます。
「販促キャンペーン」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
IT’S OUR WAY OF SAYING THANKS!
DON’T MISS OUT ON SAVINGS!
HILL AND COMPANY opened its doors exactly one year ago, and we’re proud to announce our first 100-hour sale. We’re going all out to show you that we truly appreciate your patronage—stop by and take advantage of all the savings! Sale starts on April 8.
•Save 20% on all imported whites
•Half off Chilean reds
•Super savings on all domestic wines
•Free delivery for purchases of six bottles or more*
•Buy one HILL original wine opener and get one free
*Delivery limited to Westlake, Pinewood and Ramona
「販促キャンペーン」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
TO: SHIN SATO
FROM: JOYCE CHO
DATE: MARCH 31
SUBJECT: SALES CAMPAIGN
Dear Shin,
It’s time to start organizing our summer sales campaign. Our goal for the campaign is to achieve sales at least 10% higher than the spring campaign, which was disappointing in terms of revenue and product publicity. In fact, according to customer feedback, it was the worst campaign ever. My idea is to offer discounts in addition to the giveaways we’ve been providing during past campaigns. We need to rethink the giveaways as well if we are to motivate customers to participate in the campaign. I’m going to go ahead and schedule a meeting next week. All my staff are free Wednesday morning, so that would be the best day for us. Let me know if that would work for you.
企業は、自社の商品やサービスを消費者に知ってもらい、最終的に購入してもらうために、販売促進（sales promotion）のためのキャンペーンを行います。キャンペーンの種類は、マスメディアを使った広告や、期間限定の値引き、サンプルの無料配布や実演販売の実施などさまざまです。企業の宣伝部や営業部が中心となってキャンペーンを企画・準備し、実際に販売を行う店員を宣伝担当者などがサポートします。テストでは宣伝やキャンペーンの内容に関するやりとりがよく出題されるので、関連する語句をまとめて覚えておきましょう。
「市場調査」に関する問題を解いてみましょう。
From: Lori James, Product Test Coordinator
To: R&D Department
Date: July 12
Re: New product test
We will conduct a product test for our new brand of toothpaste—tentatively named Glow White—for two weeks beginning Monday. I’ve provided a brief summary below of how the test will be conducted. E-mail me if you have any questions.
A focus group of fifty participants between the ages of 35 and 45 will be given a 14-day sample of Glow White. They will be interviewed at company headquarters on July 25, when they will be asked to rate the sample on a scale of 1-10 in categories such as effectiveness, flavor and naming.
英会話コラム