* 28 Job Situations (p.2 of 3)
28.7�� When you and your colleagues start a new task
What's the main problem here? Listen <“The matter in hand is pretty complicated. We have to determine how to tackle it.” – “First, what’s the main problem here? If we find it, we’ll solve the entire puzzle.”>
What's the real issue here?�� Listen�� <�Guys, we are putting together a new music band. We are supposed to be partners, but we can�t agree on simple things. What�s the real issue here?� � �We don�t have good songs��>
What should be our primary concern?�� Listen�� <�We are going to introduce a new product into the marketplace. What should be our primary concern?� � �I guess, our primary concern is whether the market accepts our new product or rejects it.�>
What's the crux of the matter?�� Listen�� A �What is the crucial point here?��� <�Our grocery store is coming out with a new pie. We have to somehow convince the customers that our pie is better than the pies offered by our competition.� � �So, how can we do that? What�s the crux of the matter? Any ideas?�>
What's the most important thing here? Listen <“We received an order to design a housing development outside the city. The order contains several requirements.” – “What’s the most important thing here?” – “Construction shouldn’t damage the lake and the forest in the area.”>
It all comes down to the core issue.�� Listen�� <�We are trying to bargain with our suppliers. It all comes down to the core issue. They don�t want to reduce their price, and we don�t want to pay it.�>
It all boils down to one question. Listen A “It all reduces to the essential question.” <“Gentlemen, we are looking for ways to build a political alliance here. But it all boils down to one question. Who’s going to be our leader? Everyone wants to be the leader!”>
We've got to begin somewhere.�� Listen�� < �Look, our project is costly while we are on a very tight budget. I don�t know if we can pull it off.� � �We�ve got to begin somewhere. Let�s try to raise more money first.�>
Where do we begin?�� Listen�� A �What is our starting point?��� <�The goal of this project is to help families with mentally challenged children in our community.� � �It�s a noble goal. Where do we begin?�>
28.8�� When you ask for input
What do you think?�� Listen�� <�We need to determine our objectives. What do you think?� � �OK. Let's do it and then consider our options.�>
What do you think we should do?�� Listen�� <�This investment is not profitable anymore. What do you think we should do?� � �Let�s hold on to it for a while, and then drop it if we see that there is no improvement.�>
What should we do about it?�� Listen�� <�This project is about to fail. What should we do about it?�>
What needs to be done?�� Listen�� < � �Let me think. I need a couple of days. I�ll let you know.�>
What are we going to do about it?�� Listen�� < � �I don�t have any suggestions now. Let me get back to you on that.�>
How do you feel about that?�� Listen�� <�The problem here is pretty complex and hardly solvable. How do feel about that?� � �We've got to do it anyway. Failure is not an option.�>
How should we go about doing this?�� Listen�� < � �Our technical and financial experts are working on a new proposal. It�s gradually taking shape. I�ll keep you posted.�>
Any ideas on that?�� Listen�� <�The first thing we need to discuss is what we do to complete the project on such a limited budget. Any ideas on that?� � �Can we get a bigger budget?�>
Get back to me on that by Friday.�� Listen�� A �I gave you a task and you report back to me.��� <�Here�s a press release for you to review. I need your opinion. Get back to me on that by Friday.� � �Sure thing, boss.�>
28.9�� When you need to be updated
Clue me in on what�s going on.�� Listen�� A �Give me information...��� <�I�ve heard about some changes in your department. Clue me in on what�s going on.� � �Certainly, boss.�>
Fill me in.�� Listen�� <�Fill me in on what is happening. I want to stay abreast of the recent developments in our company.�>
Bring me up to date.�� Listen�� A �Update my knowledge.��� <�Bring me up to date on the latest political news. I want to be informed.�>
Bring me up to speed.�� Listen�� <�I�ve lost track of what�s going on around here. Bring me up to speed. Tell me the news and rumors.�>
Keep me informed.�� Listen�� A �Keep supplying me with new information periodically.��� <�Keep me informed about your progress.�>
Keep me posted.�� Listen�� <�Keep me posted on the changes in the situation.�>
28.10�� When you and your colleagues have started a new task
It's a start.�� Listen�� A �It is a good beginning.��� <�We got proper funding for our project. It�s a start.�>
So far so good.�� Listen�� A �We have been successful so far although we can�t be sure about the future.��� <�Our partners have agreed on our preliminary conditions. So far so good. Further talks may be tougher. We�ll see.�>
We're off to a good start.�� Listen�� <�Initially, the board of directors opposed our proposal. It was very hard to convince them. But we did it. We are off to a good start.�>
We're on our way.�� Listen�� A �We are moving to our goal.��� <�The first results are promising, and the boss gave his approval of further experiments. We are on our way.�>
We're up and running.�� Listen�� A �We are fully functional.��� <�Our laboratory is fully equipped now. We are up and running.�>
We're headed in the right direction.�� Listen�� A �We are moving in the right direction.��� <�The first round of negotiations with the investors went relatively well. We are headed in the right direction.�>
We've laid a good foundation.�� Listen�� A �We have established a basis for future success.��� <�The preliminary phase of our project is completed. We have laid a good foundation. The next phase is even more challenging.�>
We've made a dent in it.�� Listen�� A �We have made some progress.��� <�The space research program is huge. It will take decades of work. We have made a dent in it.�>
We've gotten over teething troubles.�� Listen�� A �We have overcome problems typical for the early stage of a project.��� <�The beginning of the project was difficult. Now, we�ve gotten over teething troubles.�>
28.11�� When you approach a deadline
We are running out of time.�� Listen�� A �There is no time left anymore.��� <�Our presentation is scheduled for next week. We are running out of time.�>
We are pressed for time.�� Listen�� A �We are getting late.��� <�Get down to business. We are pressed for time.�>
We have a deadline to meet.�� Listen�� A �There is a time limit which we have to comply with.��� <�Hurry up! Focus on your work. We have a deadline to meet. This time, we mustn�t be late.�>
The deadline is sooner than you think.�� Listen�� A �The deadline is closer than it appears.��� <�We�ve got to work harder. The deadline is sooner than you think. No delay is allowed.�>
The deadline is looming large on the horizon.�� Listen�� <�We have to finish construction on time. The Governor is expected to be present at the opening ceremony. The deadline is looming large on the horizon.�>
It's getting down to the wire.�� Listen�� A �It�s getting close to the finish line.��� <�I have to turn my proposal in next month. It�s getting down to the wire.�>
28.12�� When you request somebody to hurry up
This is a rush job.�� Listen�� A �This is an urgent job.��� <�This order has just arrived. It�s a rush job. Fill it right away.�>
Drop everything and do it!�� Listen�� A �Stop doing anything else and focus on the task.��� <�Where is the report? The boss is outraged! Drop everything and do it!�>
Do it right now.�� Listen�� A �Do it immediately.��� <�This is a rush order. Do it right now.�>
Waste no time.�� Listen�� <�Get back to work. Waste no time.�>
This is top priority.�� Listen�� <�I need this report tomorrow. This is top priority.�>
Hurry up!�� Listen�� <�We have to complete the drawings by the end of the week. Hurry up!�>
Get going!�� Listen�� <�Get going! We have a lot to do today, yet.�>
Get moving!�� Listen�� <�Get moving! You don�t want to be late.�>
Get on it!�� Listen�� A �Start working on this immediately.��� <�This job must be done without delay. Get on it!�>
Get right on this! Listen <“Call our business partners and ask them to reconsider their decision. Get right on this!>
I haven�t got all day.�� Listen�� <�When are you going to finish this rush job? I haven�t got all day.�>
On the double!�� Listen�� <�Your presentation is scheduled for tomorrow. Start working. On the double!�>
Chop, chop!�� Listen�� A �Move faster!��� <�Have you heard what the boss said? What are you waiting for now? Get moving. Chop, chop!>
28.13�� When you express urgency
I need it now!�� Listen�� A �The need is urgent.��� <�When do you need my report?� � �I need it now! Where is it?�>
I need it immediately!�� Listen�� <�Do you need this data now?� � �I need it immediately! The boss is waiting for it.�>
I need it yesterday!�� Listen�� <�I can complete this job in a few days.� � �In a few days? I need it yesterday!�>
Yesterday wouldn�t be too soon.�� Listen�� <�When do you need this?� � �Yesterday wouldn�t be too soon.�>
I need it as soon as possible!�� Listen�� <�When do you need this report?� � �I need it as soon as possible!�>
The sooner the better.�� Listen�� A �The sooner it is done, the better it is.��� <�When do you want this?� � �The sooner the better.�>
28.14�� When you resist urgency
Don�t rush me!�� Listen�� A �Don�t hurry me!��� <�The boss is expecting your report today.� � �Don�t rush me! I�m working on it.�>
Don�t push me!�� Listen�� A �Don�t put pressure on me!��� <�We are running out of stock. We need to place a new order with our supplier.� � �Don�t push me! I�ll send a fax to them tomorrow.�>
There are only so many hours in a day. Listen <“You have to finish the project as soon as possible.” – “I’m doing my best. There are only so many hours in a day.”>
28.15�� When you talk about now
As we speak.�� Listen�� A �At this very moment while we are speaking.��� <�Your order is being filled as we speak�.>
At the present time.�� Listen�� <�We are unable to fill your order at the present time�.>
At the moment.�� Listen�� <�All our business associates are busy at the moment�.>
At this point in time.�� Listen�� <�At this point in time, we cannot locate your shipment�.>
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