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?
我們之前已經說了如何用電話約見我們知道的人，但是如果是和一個我們未曾謀面的，還沒有確定關系的人呢？

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.
在今天的商務英語播客中，我們將會知道如何和一個潛在的客戶聯系，在電話的另一頭，我們還會檢測到你是不能有禮貌地邀請，并且能夠在交談中降低商業意圖。

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.
在之前的播客里我們已經看到了萬歲時裝的馬里奧。現在馬里奧想見的是美國連鎖店的主要買家，這個連鎖店歸狄本閣•布蘭德所有。不過重要的是，他還不知道最大買家的名字。

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.
馬里奧試圖通過陌生電話聯系買家。首先，他需要知道名字，然后他要試著跟買家說約見面。

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?