- BUSINESS SKILLS SAY IT IN STYLE
Bei fast jeder Diskussion kommt es irgendwann
zum Abwägen der Vor- und Nachteile einer
Sache. ANNA HOCHsrEOER gibt Beispiele. mUli IW
hen .fru:ed with having to deeide wh ich is the best
of severa l different options, we normally diseuss
the advantages and disadvamages of eaeh approach
with our eolleagues, our boss or business partners. Let's
look at some examples of how this is done in English.COMPARING
Discussing the pros aod eoos of different options in-
volves making comparisons - so, let's start by brush-
ing up on eomparative and superlative struetures:- A is cheaper I more attractive I better than B.
- A Is better-looking I longer-running I more highly paid
than B. - A is just as good as B.
- B is less easy to operate than A.
- A is slightly ~ than B, yet B is far more Wi.a.b.I.e:.
- A is the best-designed I the longest-Iasting I the most
highly ski IIed one we have.
COIl11lASTlNG
When diseussing different options, we ofte n use eon-
junetions and other linking expressions that have eon-
trascive meaning, i.e. they link rwo opposing ideas:- Model A is cheaper, but model B is probably tonger-
lasting. - I agree that candidate A has littie experience.
Nevertheless, I think we shoutd give her the benefit of
the~. - On the one l:J..an.d, we need to inerease sales. On the
other hand, we have no marketing budget.
44 BusintSS Spotlight
OISAGRUING
Comparing d ifferent o ptions offen involves disagreeing
wirh anorher person's opinion. This ean be done in a po-
lire and diplomatie way by parrially agreeing wirh the
othcr person's view bcfore staring a diffcrcm opinion:- I agree - UD to a point. Even so, model B is cheaper.
- I can see what you're saying, but right now we simply
can't afford it.
FACING A roUGH CHOICE
Andy and Ben are discussing whether or not to hire
more reehnieal sraff to o perate the eusromet horline:Andy: The technical support we're oHering just isn't good
enough. Our competjtors provide much better service.
Ben: True, but then you mustn't forget we are a Jot
cheaper than them, you know.
Andy: I suppose so. However, money's not everything.
Believe me: the lang-term benefits of investing in
more slaft are going 10 outweigh Ihe short-term
cost savings.
Ben: Weil, let's consider all the options before we decide,
Andy. How about ctosing down the telephone hot-
line altogether? It we offer only email support, our
staff will have more time to respond to ~.
Andy: On the contrary. Writing an email takes longer than
answering a phone call.
Ben: But. then again, you can da it in yoor own time. OK,
the doymsjde is that customers will complain if they're
kept waiting. But we could send them an automatlC
response to say their query is being dealt with.
Andy : Be thai as jt may. it has to be dealt with Quickty.
And thai means more staft. Unless, that is, we
Qu)sQurce the hotline.
Ben: Hmm, now tbars a thougbt", I;
biS zu II "AN NA HOCHSl EDER is a Munich-based teacher of
English as a Second Language and also writes on
language issues in Spotlight and Business Spotlight.
~, Contact [email protected]4/2010