Module 1 Responding to news about others

1. Reacting to news

對(duì)預(yù)料中的消息做出反應(yīng)
你可以對(duì)消息作出不同程度的反應(yīng)世舰。如果它是預(yù)料中的消息，使用這樣的表達(dá)方式：

• Knowing you, I'm not surprised at all. 了解你甘晤，我一點(diǎn)都不驚訝疏唾。
• Well, it has been in the cards. 嗯，這是預(yù)料中的事。
• I could see this coming a mile off. 我早就看出這會(huì)發(fā)生。

對(duì)突發(fā)消息的反應(yīng)
如果對(duì)出乎意料的令人驚訝的消息做出反應(yīng)椰憋，用這樣的表達(dá)方方式：

• It came as a surprise to us all. 這出乎我們所有人的意料。
• I, for one, certainly wasn't expecting this. 就我個(gè)人來說赔退，肯定沒想到這一點(diǎn)橙依。
• This is all a bit out of the blue. 這有點(diǎn)出乎意料。

2. Expressing empathy

將事情與你自己的經(jīng)歷連系起來
同情他人的一種方式是讓他們知道你經(jīng)歷過類似的事情：

• I know exactly how that feels. 我完全知道那感覺硕旗。
• I've been there before. 我之前有經(jīng)歷過窗骑。
• I understand what you're going through. 我明白你在經(jīng)歷的事情。

你可以通過表示情況超出你能理解的范圍來承認(rèn)某人的壞消息的嚴(yán)重性：

• I don't know what I'd do if I were in your shoes. 我不知道如果我是你會(huì)怎樣做漆枚。
• I can't imagine how you must feel. 我無法想象你的感覺如何慧域。
• I can't even begin to understand what you're going through. 我甚至不能開始了解你正在經(jīng)歷的事情响巢。

Module 2 Discussing the effects of events on business

1. Events affecting business

Making sense of economic news

Good times, bad times
The natural state of the global economy is a cycle of expansion and contraction. When the global economy slows, for example, everyone grows more cautious. Individuals and businesses become reluctant to spend money. Families turn to saving for a rainy day, banks lend less money, and governments make fewer investments in large infrastructure projects. Confidence drops. Consequently, demand for goods and services falls. Demand for exports from huge manufacturing economies goes down, and this, in turn, means that stock prices of companies plummet. This is in contrast to boom years, when consumers' appetite for everything, from housing to smartphones, seems insatiable.

What does a slowdown mean for companies and staff?
An event like a global slowdown is out of any single company's control, no matter how large the company. If demand for goods or services falls and investment dries up, businesses have to deal with the results. The impact of such events will likely force companies to downgrade their profit forecasts, and that's just the start. Corporate boards of directors may force executives to make drastic changes to cut expenses. Companies can choose to freeze their project pipelines, put a cap on salary increases, make rounds of cuts to their headcount, or even severely curtail production. They can then slash prices to clear product inventories and cut overhead on storage.

So who will help?
When the economy is growing, governments have a lot more money to spend. They will introduce policies like tax cuts or a higher minimum wage that are often popular with voters.

When the economy slows, however, governments have more limited options. They can lower interest rates to decrease the cost of loans for business, or even cut business tax rates to encourage more investment. Whether these policies are effective is a matter for discussion. Banks may still be reluctant to lend money because they feel it is risky to lend to businesses that might fail. Additionally, businesses may cease to make new investments and concentrate on maintaining their current markets.

反應(yīng)和影響
政府往往為應(yīng)對(duì)經(jīng)濟(jì)形勢(shì)的變化來對(duì)經(jīng)濟(jì)政策進(jìn)行改變场钉。

• reduce taxes on income 降低所得稅
• introduce a minimum wage 實(shí)行最低工資標(biāo)準(zhǔn)
• lower interest rates 降低利率
• cut business tax rates 削減企業(yè)稅率

改變經(jīng)濟(jì)條件或政府政策可能會(huì)產(chǎn)生一些后果：

• It might lead to companies adjusting their profit forecasts. 這可能會(huì)導(dǎo)致企業(yè)調(diào)整其盈利預(yù)測(cè)况木。
• The executives may be forced to make a round of cuts to headcount. 高管可能會(huì)被迫進(jìn)行一系列裁員赌结。
• They might have to put a cap on salary increases. 他們可能不得不把工資的漲幅上限没陡。
• Companies sometimes freeze their project pipelines. 公司有時(shí)會(huì)凍結(jié)他們的項(xiàng)目計(jì)劃衩藤。
• We may have no choice but to halt production. 我們可能別無選擇叠赦，只能停止生產(chǎn)纲缓。
• We'll slash prices to increase sales. 我們將大幅降價(jià)以增加銷售痘拆。

2. Gauging reaction and evaluating impact

談到別人的問題
當(dāng)負(fù)面事件影響人們時(shí)仰禽，你可以使用這樣的表達(dá)方式來描述他們的反應(yīng)：

• They're taking it pretty well. 他們對(duì)它接受得很好。
• She's surprisingly upbeat about it. 她對(duì)這表現(xiàn)出驚人的樂觀纺蛆。
• He's not taking it too well. 他對(duì)它接受得不太好吐葵。
• It's not going down too well over there. 那邊進(jìn)行得不太好。

你也可以描述事件的影響：

• It has cut pretty deep. 這傷害得很深桥氏。
• It's hit the company pretty hard, to be honest. 說實(shí)話温峭，這對(duì)公司的打擊相當(dāng)大。
• We've not been affected that much, funnily enough. 可笑的是字支，我們沒有受到那么多的影響凤藏。
• They got away with it, really. 他們避開了，真的堕伪。

3. Expressing certainty and doubt

你肯定嗎揖庄？
在推測(cè)未來的時(shí)候，用這樣的表達(dá)方式來說明事情不是很清楚：

• It's all a bit up in the air. 這一切都懸而未決欠雌。
• At the moment, it's anybody's guess. 現(xiàn)在蹄梢，誰也說不準(zhǔn)。
• Your guess is as good as mine. 我也不知道富俄。
• It's going to be a bit of a waiting game. 這將會(huì)是有點(diǎn)伺機(jī)而動(dòng)的情形禁炒。
• It's too early to tell. 現(xiàn)在說還為時(shí)過早而咆。

如果你對(duì)即將發(fā)生的事情更加確信的話，使用這種表達(dá)方式：

• It's clear we need to do something. 顯然齐苛，我們需要做一些事情翘盖。
• I've got no doubt about it. 我沒有疑問桂塞。
• It seems pretty locked in. 看上去確定了凹蜂。
• There's an air of inevitability. 有不可避免的氣氛。

Module 3 Discussing unexpected news

1. Financial information

財(cái)務(wù)信息的詞匯
用這樣的單詞來談?wù)摻鹑谕顿Y阁危。

• Our pension fund contains very few risky investments. 我們的養(yǎng)老基金包含了極少數(shù)的高風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資玛痊。
• My retirement plan contains mainly conservative investments. 我的退休計(jì)劃主要是保守的投資。
• Timing is everything in a volatile market. 時(shí)間在波動(dòng)的市場(chǎng)中就是一切狂打。
• I wish it were a more stable market. 我希望它是一個(gè)更穩(wěn)定的市場(chǎng)擂煞。
• Savings accounts give guaranteed returns. 儲(chǔ)蓄賬戶有保障的回報(bào)。
• According to my financial advisor, gold is great. 據(jù)我的財(cái)務(wù)顧問趴乡，黃金是很棒的对省。

2. Distancing and adding disclaimers

限定和疏遠(yuǎn)一個(gè)觀點(diǎn)
在討論中，你可以添加免責(zé)聲明來表明不確定性或者將自己遠(yuǎn)離觀點(diǎn)來避免沖突：

• It could be me, but I don't think that's the best idea right now. 這可能只是我晾捏，但我不認(rèn)為這是現(xiàn)在最好的想法蒿涎。
• Well, I could be wrong, but the markets are just too volatile. 嗯，我可能是錯(cuò)的惦辛，但是市場(chǎng)太不穩(wěn)定了劳秋。
• I don't know how others see it, but this could be just a small loss. 我不知道別人怎么看這件事，但是這可能只是一個(gè)小的損失胖齐。
• It seems to me that a retirement plan is the way to go. 在我看來玻淑，退休計(jì)劃是最好的辦法。

你也可以使用這樣的表達(dá)方式來抽離事實(shí)和觀點(diǎn)呀伙。

• Generally, you'll find volatile markets during a slowdown. 通常情況下补履，你會(huì)在放緩過程中發(fā)現(xiàn)市場(chǎng)波動(dòng)。
• It appears that since interest rates went up, so has the market. 看起來剿另，由于利率上升干像，所以市場(chǎng)上揚(yáng)。
• You're right about the market, to an extent. 在一定程度上驰弄，關(guān)于市場(chǎng)你是對(duì)的麻汰。

3. Restating opinions after objections

分歧和異議
這里有一些可以軟化分歧避免沖突的方法。首先戚篙，不同意之前五鲫，承認(rèn)你理解其他人的觀點(diǎn)。

• I hear you, but I'm not going, OK? 我聽到你說的了岔擂，但我不會(huì)去位喂，好嗎浪耘？
• I see where you're coming from, but I'm just not interested. 我明白你為什么這樣說，但我就是不感興趣塑崖。
• I get your point, but I'm going to invest anyway. 我理解了七冲，但我還是會(huì)去投資。

如果你聽到對(duì)你的一個(gè)想法的強(qiáng)烈反對(duì)规婆，你可以通過提醒一個(gè)重要的論點(diǎn)或事實(shí)來回復(fù)：

• I hear you. But I can't ignore the fact that I've got too much stuff. 我聽到你所說的澜躺。但我不能忽視的事實(shí)是我有太多的東西。

如果你預(yù)料到有分歧抒蚜，你可以清楚地表明你只是提供你的觀點(diǎn)掘鄙。

• Well, the way I see it, you just need to wait. 嗯，這件事在我看來嗡髓，你只需要等操漠。
• Oh, it looked like a good prospect – for me, at least. 哦，這看起來像是一個(gè)很好的前景－至少饿这，對(duì)我來說浊伙。
• All I'm saying is take a closer look at this investment. 我所說的都是再仔細(xì)看看這項(xiàng)投資。
• I see. The only thing is, the price has been rising for the last year. 我懂了长捧。唯一的一件事是嚣鄙，去年價(jià)格一直在上漲。

Module 4 Writing informational emails

1. Knowing what to edit

To: efstudent@bigcompany.com
From: hector.director@bigcompany.com
Subject: Project update

EF student,

As I am sure you are aware, Big Company has been working hard to minimize the impact of the economic slowdown since the beginning of the financial year.

However, further unfavorable events have forced the board to consider deeper changes. The government's decision to raise corporate taxes will squeeze our profit margins and mean higher costs for our existing real estate and our expansion plans.

With this in mind, we are gathering information to help us gauge where we need to make changes. I would like you to provide:

? a comprehensive update on all projects you and your team are currently running, and those that are planned for the next fiscal year

? an evaluation of your projects

○ Which are essential? Why?
○ Which are inessential and can be frozen for now? Why?

I look forward to reading about the efforts of your team.

Best regards,

Hector Vasquez
Director
Big Company

自我編輯過程
好的作者會(huì)一遍又一遍地閱讀他們的作品來清理錯(cuò)誤和提高他們的寫作質(zhì)量唆姐。在你將要自我編輯之前這是三個(gè)你要考慮的方面拗慨。

編輯內(nèi)容
你回答了所有問你的問題了嗎？你錯(cuò)過了什么要點(diǎn)了嗎奉芦？哪些要點(diǎn)需要更加詳細(xì)赵抢？

編輯結(jié)構(gòu)
你有效地組織了你的文本來表達(dá)你想要說的內(nèi)容了嗎？強(qiáng)調(diào)你的主要觀點(diǎn)的兩個(gè)最好的方法是以它開始或結(jié)束声功。你用了哪一個(gè)烦却？

編輯風(fēng)格
你用一個(gè)適當(dāng)?shù)娘L(fēng)格來寫你的電子郵件了嗎？應(yīng)該是正式的還是非正式的先巴？你是給別人信息還是想說服別人其爵？

From:
efstudent@bigcompany.com
To: hector.director@bigcompany.com
Hi, boss.

Thanks for your email. I'll try to give you a complete list of the projects that are absolutely essential and those that aren't needed so much.

So, we're trying to reorganize some of the marketing media. We don't really use the marketing media anymore. It's out of use. Plus, it's all a bit of a mess, and we'll need a few people to help out with it. This one's not that important, IMHO.

We're also working on the designs for the new client from the US. You told us to spend all of the first six months on this one, and we're doing OK, but pretty slow. I think this one's worth a whole lot of money, and they'll keep working with us if we do it well.

Then there's the recruitment drive. We got a big budget for this, and we used most of it on advertising. Advertising is pretty important if we want to get the best staff. If we don't succeed in getting some new staff, it could possibly mean we have to give up on the US project. Some of the guys are leaving in Q2, too, so it's pretty important for our future plans.

Anyway, I think this is all of the projects, but I'd have to check with the team.

Thanks!

EF student

2. Making changes

From:
efstudent@bigcompany.com
To: hector.director@bigcompany.com
Hi, boss.

Thanks for your email. I'll try to give you a complete list of the projects that are absolutely essential and those that aren't needed so much.

Major US client designs
We're working on the designs for the new client from the US.
● You told us to spend all of the first six months on this one.
● They'll keep working with us if we do it well.
● We're doing OK, but pretty slow.
● I think this one's worth a whole lot of money.

Staff recruitment
Then there's the recruitment drive.
● We got a big budget for this, and we used most of it on advertising.
● Some of the guys are leaving in Q2, too, so it's pretty important for our future plans.
● If we don't succeed in getting some new staff, it could possibly mean we have to give up on the US project.
● Advertising is pretty important if we want to get the best staff.

Media reorganization
So, we're trying to reorganize some of the marketing media.
● We don't really use the marketing media anymore. It's out of use.
● Plus, it's all a bit of a mess, and we'll need a few people to help out with it.
● This one's not that important, IMHO.

This is a comprehensive list of current and future projects.

Thanks!

EF student

3. Writing concisely

如何使用主動(dòng)和簡(jiǎn)明的語言
你可以用幾個(gè)技巧使你的商業(yè)和學(xué)術(shù)寫作更加清晰。首先伸蚯，去除多余的表達(dá)方式摩渺。注意，每對(duì)句子的第二個(gè)版本更短－而且更有效剂邮。

• Reflect back on what you write. 往前回顧一下你寫的東西摇幻。
• Reflect on what you write. 回顧一下你寫的東西。

• Let me know whether or not you'll attend. 讓我知道你是不是會(huì)參加。
• Let me know whether you'll attend. 讓我知道你是否會(huì)參加绰姻。

• We've hired a team of knowledgeable experts. 我們雇了一群知識(shí)淵博的專家枉侧。
• We've hired a team of experts. 我們雇了一群專家。

去除不必要的重復(fù)狂芋。注意文章的第二個(gè)版本要短得多榨馁，并切中要點(diǎn)。整個(gè)第二句縮短到只有 May 3rd deadline帜矾。這是唯一重要的部分翼虫。

• My team hit the deadline for the Crane project. The deadline for the project was May 3rd. The team also wrote the final report for the Crane project. 我的團(tuán)隊(duì)在規(guī)定期限內(nèi)完成了吊車項(xiàng)目。項(xiàng)目期限是五月三號(hào)黍特。團(tuán)隊(duì)還為吊車項(xiàng)目寫了總結(jié)報(bào)告蛙讥。
• My team hit the May 3rd deadline for the Crane project and wrote the final report. 我的團(tuán)隊(duì)在規(guī)定的五月三號(hào)期限之前完成了吊車項(xiàng)目并撰寫了總結(jié)報(bào)告锯蛀。

嘗試用主動(dòng)動(dòng)詞來代替名詞形式來寫作灭衷。不要過度使用be。注意旁涤，每對(duì)句子的二次版本中的be被一個(gè)積極的動(dòng)詞所替換翔曲。

• The software is for complete protection against viruses. 這款軟件用于對(duì)病毒進(jìn)行完全防御。
• The software completely protects against viruses. 這款軟件可以完全抵御病毒劈愚。

• Mazo's new products are a threat to our profits. Mazo的新產(chǎn)品對(duì)我們的盈利是個(gè)威脅瞳遍。
• Mazo's new products threaten our profits. Mazo的新產(chǎn)品會(huì)威脅我們的盈利。

你可以用幾個(gè)技巧使你的商業(yè)和學(xué)術(shù)寫作更加清晰菌羽。首先掠械，去除多余的表達(dá)方式。注意注祖，每對(duì)句子的第二個(gè)版本更短－而且更有效猾蒂。

• The issue was analyzed by Canary Consult. 這個(gè)問題被金絲雀咨詢公司分析過了。
• Canary Consult analyzed the issue. 金絲雀咨詢公司分析過這個(gè)問題是晨。

• The first deadline will be hit on September 5th. 第一個(gè)截止日將在9月5號(hào)來臨肚菠。
• We'll hit the first deadline on September 5th. 9月5號(hào)是我們第一個(gè)截止日。

From:
efstudent@bigcompany.com
To: hector.director@bigcompany.com
Hector,

Thank you very much for your email. Please find below a complete list of projects, organized from the most to the least essential.

Major US client designs
This is the highest-priority project for us.
● We are budgeting the six months required for this project.
● The project provides good value, as the client will give us more business if we are successful.
● We have made acceptable progress despite delays.

Staff recruitment
This is also a high-priority project for us.
● If we wish to continue to recruit talented staff, we cannot lose this project.
● We will need to replace two team members leaving in Q2.
● If we do not succeed, it may threaten the designs for our US client.
● We have already used a large part of the budget for this.

Media reorganization
This is not a high priority for us.
● We will not reorganize the marketing media anytime soon.
● We do not use the media much anymore.
● The project is complicated and would need a lot of effort.

This is a comprehensive list of current and future projects. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

Best regards,

EF student