• You will hear a discussion between James, the General Manager, and Sarah, the

Man: Come in, Sarah.
Woman: Thanks.
Man: Right. We need to discuss some of the issues raised at the last meeting with your department.
Woman: Yes, there were a lot of questions about computer systems and flexible working hours.
Man: We’ll talk about computer systems in a minute, but I think we can leave flexible working hours for the time being. What I’m really very concerned about at the moment, though, is how some staff are working. I’m not at all happy with how long it’s taking for some reports on visits to come in. Peter Jones, for instance, hasn’t produced a single report on time. The last, on his visit to Berlin was two weeks late. It’s not as though they’re long reports - they should only take a short time to write.
Woman: I’ll certainly warn Peter about getting reports in more quickly but it really comes down to a question of staff training. I think we need to do some workshops on time management.
Man: I agree, but getting consultants in to do the training costs money. It’d be cheaper to use one of our own staff. Have we got anyone who could do it?
Woman: Laura Williams has some management training experience.
Man: She’s away on a team building course at the moment, though, isn’t she?
Woman: Only ’till next week. I’ll speak to her when she gets back. I’m sure she’ll be interested.
Man: Now, I’d like to move on to computer systems. As you know, we’re going to upgrade our software. The plan was to install it in January but that’s proved difficult so it’s going in during February because we certainly want it to be ready and running for March.
Woman: Good. I’m worried about the computer skills of some of the staff, though. A few could do with some extra training.
Man: I’m sure you’re right. Could we organise that on the premises, do you think?
Woman: Possibly, but it’d be expensive. I know the business college in Park Street has a really good computer section. I’ve compared their prices with those of the computer training centre at Blackstone and the college prices are far more reasonable.
Man: Let’s go for that, then. Will you see to it?
Woman: Certainly. Now, I think this would be a good time to make some office changes before the new software comes in. The Accounts team need a bigger office. At the moment, we’ve only got five people using the Marketing office on the second floor, so Accounts could take over that office if we moved Marketing to the first floor.
Man: And Human Resources up to the third floor? Yes, that sounds a good idea.
Woman: Great. It’ll mean moving a lot of equipment. Accounts keep complaining about some of their equipment. It’d be nice if we could replace it.
Man: We certainly can’t replace all of it. What’s causing most problems?
Woman: Well, we’ve had to call technical support in at least once every week for the past two months to deal with the fax machine. The printers were causing trouble but they’re working well enough now and everyone complains that the photocopier is slow but it’s alright, really.
Man: Right, I’ll see what we can do. Now, I have to go in a minute. What do we need to discuss when we meet next week?
Woman: There’s the Health and Safety report.
Man: Oh, John Wilkins has already done that.
Woman: Good. What about the programme for the French clients? They’re coming at the beginning of next month.
Man: Time is getting short. We’d better deal with that.
Woman: And then what about getting a new PA to replace Louise?
Man: Oh, we can leave that, I think. She isn’t going till the end of April now.
Woman: That’s good. I thought she was leaving sooner.