We' ve looked before at how to set up an appointment on the phone with someone you already know, but what about if you haven’t met the person or established a relationship with them yet?

我们之前已经说了如何用电话约见我们知道的人，但是如果是和一个我们未曾谋面的，还没有确定关系的人呢?

In today' s Business English Podcast, we' ll be looking at how to make contact with a prospective client and, on the opposite end of the line, we' ll examine language you can use to politely decline a request for information or a meeting.

在今天的商务英语播客中，我们将会知道如何和一个潜在的客户联系，在电话的另一头，我们还会检测到你是不能有礼貌地邀请，并且能够在交谈中降低商业意图。

We' ve already met Mario from Viva Fashions in previous episodes. Now Mario wants to meet with the head buyer for a chain of American stores owned by DeBourg Brands but, at this point, he doesn' t even know the buyer' s name.

在之前的播客里我们已经看到了万岁时装的马里奥。现在马里奥想见的是美国连锁店的主要买家，这个连锁店归狄本阁•布兰德所有。不过重要的是，他还不知道最大买家的名字。

Mario is going to "cold call" the company and see if he can reach the buyer. First, he needs a name, and then he needs to try to speak to the buyer to make an appointment.

马里奥试图通过陌生电话联系买家。首先，他需要知道名字，然后他要试着跟买家说约见面。

Listening Questions – First Call:

1.What techniques does Mario use to get information from Joan?

2.Why do you think Joan agrees to help Mario?

Listening Questions – Second Call:

1.Why does Mario keep saying "thank you" instead of "please" after making a request?

2. What language does Mario use when stating the reason for his call, and why?

3. Throughout the conversation, Mario uses informal language to minimize his request. Can you spot a few examples?