BEP156 INT Socializing: Networking (Part 2)

（单词翻译）

This is the second of a two-part Business English Pod lesson on business networking.

Networking is all about people and connections. You never know when someone you meet at a conference or trade show may be able to help your business in the future. Likewise, you may be able to help someone else out. So building and maintaining a network of business contacts is essential.
But once you meet a prospective¹ contact, how do you maintain that connection? This is what we’ll focus on today. We’ll talk about ways to steer² a conversation toward a lead. We’ll also cover ways to shoot for a meeting and be persistent³. And we’ll look at the other side and discuss ways to politely leave a conversation.

Today’s lesson is mainly about sales, but these functions can be easily applied⁴ to other situations.

Last time, we met Ian, a sales rep for a pharmaceutical⁵ company, and Marissa, a pharmacy⁶ manager at Children’s Hospital. They met at a conference and Marissa mentioned her frustration⁷ with her current pharmaceutical supplier. Deliveries are often late and are sometimes packaged incorrectly. She’s concerned about getting supplies for her hospital’s vaccine⁸ clinics. And that’s where the conversation resumes today.

Listening Questions

1. What supplies does Marissa’s pharmacy need?
2. Why does Ian suggest grabbing a cup of coffee?
3. What is Marissa’s schedule like right now?