礼节美语 Business Etiquette 246 Preparing for a Media Interview 2

 　　公司主管 Lenny 要接受媒体采访，请媒体咨询公司的Carl帮他准备。Carl告诉Lenny, 记者一上来会问几个简单问题，但不能因此而放松警惕。Carl说：

　　C: Remember to keep your game face on. It's really important not to seem surprised when they ask the first difficult question. You don't want to have a moment where it seems you're on the defensive¹.

　　L: All right...I'll be expecting tough questions. What kind of controversial topics do you think they might cover?

　　C: I'd be ready to answer questions about anything. Your company's stock price has recently taken a dip, your CFO left your company and joined a rival firm, there was a product recall last year and sales for your latest gadget² have been disappointing.

　　L: Wow...I see what you mean. So overall, what do you think my response strategy should be?

　　Carl告诉Lenny要 keep your game face on. 保持战斗姿态。game face 原指球员场上比赛时的面容表情，引伸为志在必得的样子。 这样做是因为，软问题过后，记者出其不意，提出第一个刁难性问题时，you don't want to seem on the defensive. 你不想让人看出你处于被动防守的状态。记者什么样的问题都可能问，比如：公司股票最近下跌，take a dip; 公司首席财务长官跳槽到对手的公司；跳槽在英语里可以用 jump ship. 如，Your CFO jumped ship to join a rival firm. 另外，公司最近有产品因为质量问题被召回，而且最新推出的产品销量也不尽人意。遇到这样的问题，Lenny该怎样回答呢？

　　C: The main thing is to focus on the positive. Yes, our stock price has been a little volatile³... but we are on course for a third quarter rebound⁴. Yes, it was unfortunate that our CFO chose to join our rivals, but the opening has given us a chance to hire fresh blood and incorporate new ideas.

　　L: I see your point: don't evade⁵ the question, but try to twist it towards the positive.

　　C: Exactly! And you need to appear confident and strong.

　　L: What kind of tone would you recommend I take with the interviewer? Friendly? A little distant?

　　Carl说，被问到这种难堪问题时，关键是要 focus on the positive. 强调积极的一面。比如，公司股票价格最近是有些波动，但是 we are on course for a third quarter rebound. 第三季度预计会出现反弹；虽然高管跳槽，但这样我们才有机会 hire fresh blood 雇佣新人。归根结底一句话，不能回避问题，但要从积极的一面来回答问题。接受采访时采取什么样的态度最合适呢？Carl回答说：

　　C: Stay friendly but remember: they're not on your side.

　　L: I guess that's the same as when I'm at any business negotiation⁶.

　　C: Yes. Use the interviewer's first name...especially at the beginning of the interview. But don't overdo⁷ it, because that sounds insincere.

　　L: These are all really good points, Carol. Maybe we could meet again next week. I think I need a little bit more practice.

　　C: Sure. I'll have your secretary set up the appointment. See you next week, Mr. Lee.

　　L: Goodbye, Carol.

　　Carl说，态度必须友好，但是要记住，they're not on your side. 采访你的人不是站在你这边的。Carl还建议Lenny从采访一开始就用记者的first name名字称呼对方，这样显得亲切，但 don't overdo it. 也不要显得过份热络。Lenny跟Carl约定，下星期再演练一次。

1 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。

2 gadget   

n.小巧的机械，精巧的装置，小玩意儿

参考例句：

• This gadget isn't much good.这小机械没什么用处。
• She has invented a nifty little gadget for undoing stubborn nuts and bolts.她发明了一种灵巧的小工具用来松开紧固的螺母和螺栓。

3 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

4 rebound   

v.弹回；n.弹回，跳回

参考例句：

• The vibrations accompanying the rebound are the earth quake.伴随这种回弹的振动就是地震。
• Our evil example will rebound upon ourselves.我们的坏榜样会回到我们自己头上的。

5 evade   

vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避

参考例句：

• He tried to evade the embarrassing question.他企图回避这令人难堪的问题。
• You are in charge of the job.How could you evade the issue?你是负责人，你怎么能对这个问题不置可否？

6 negotiation   

n.谈判，协商

参考例句：

• They closed the deal in sugar after a week of negotiation.经过一星期的谈判，他们的食糖生意成交了。
• The negotiation dragged on until July.谈判一直拖到7月份。

7 overdo   

vt.把...做得过头，演得过火

参考例句：

• Do not overdo your privilege of reproving me.不要过分使用责备我的特权。
• The taxi drivers' association is urging its members,who can work as many hours as they want,not to overdo it.出租车司机协会劝告那些工作时长不受限制的会员不要疲劳驾驶。