Feel comfortable telephoning potential new clients or suppliers in English - The English Training Company

Feel comfortable telephoning potential new clients or suppliers in English. And learn how to make a good professional impression.

“How comfortable do you feel telephoning potential clients and suppliers in English?”

We all get a little nervous speaking to someone new and more so in another language like English. Don’t´worry preparation and practice can solve it and really help settle your nerves and to feel comfortable.

Here are my top tips and some useful English phrases to help you.

My Top Tips – Feel comfortable telephoning potential new clients or suppliers in English.

Here are My Top Tips to help you. Follow these points:

1. Clear 30 second introduction (who, what and why)
2. Show you know them (research them and their company)
3. Start by asking and not talking about yourself
4. Listen, take notes and use active listening in English
5. Ask good questions
6. Ask again for repetition if needed or it is unclear
7. Thank them & sum up in your own words

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Here’s an example – Spanlogistics, a transport logistics company, wants to talk with a Polish trucking company.

(Imagine you are calling a potential partner supplier, with no appointment. In English, we call this cold calling. In the first 30 seconds of your call, the other person should learn who you are, what you do and why you’re calling).

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My Top Tips – Feel comfortable telephoning potential new clients or suppliers in English.

Example:

“Hi, my name is Christopher Wright.” Emphasise your name and pause a second for them to process what you said.

“I’m calling from SpanLogistics.” Again, a short pause to let the prospect process what you said.

“What we do is help companies transport products around Europe quickly and cost effectively using 15 European   transport hubs.”

“We are looking for a specialist company that transports from Germany and Poland to all of Eastern Europe”

“Is this a bad time for a quick chat?”.   Be concise and to the point about “who”, “what” and “why”. Saying “bad time” as opposed to “good time” works better as it helps to show empathy to the other person and therefore they are more likely to say yes.

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“I saw on your company website that you transport goods from Germany and Poland to all of Eastern Europe”

or “I saw from your LinkedIn profile that you did a Masters in Operations and Logistics from Munich Business School as have over 7 years experience in a Polish Logistics company.”

“We are looking for a specialist company that transports from Germany and Poland to all of Eastern Europe.”

Make people feel special and unique with your research and that you’ve selected them and their company first before many others. It also shows you are professional, serious and (KEY) that you are not wasting your or their time.

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“I saw on your company website that you transport hubs in Germany and Poland can reach all Eastern European destinations. Can you tell me more about transport process?”  This is all about asking and listening to show interest in them. Let them speak, listen and take short notes.

“Um-huh” “Really?” “I see” “Interesting” “So…4 transport hubs, north to south, east to west in both Germany and Poland, is that right?” – active listening techniques.

As you listen, use active listening techniques to show you are paying attention and actively listening to them.

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“What is your current process for transporting from Germany and Poland to Eastern Europe?”

“Who do you work with, like what types of clients or partners?” 

“What challenges do you face when you transport goods?”

Ask good questions that go more in depth to show real interest in how their company works and the problems they face.

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“Sorry i didn’t catch that, can you repeat it please?”

“I´m not sure what you mean, can you explain it more simply, please?

“Sorry I missed that, can you please explain it again?  Never be afraid to ask for repetition or clarification. We do it in conversations in our language and give yourself more permission to do it in English, another language. Most people understand and want to help two way communication”.

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“Thanks for sharing all of that useful information. I have a lot clearer picture now.”  

“If I understand correctly…” 

And when you sum up in your own words you can use this structure:

“XYZ specialises in…,?”

“You currently do this by…” 

“Your main partners are…” “And your main clients are….”

“Your top two challenges are…” 

“Is that a good summary of what your company does?”

Keep each part to 1 or 2 sentences. The sum up (summary) is just to show that you totally understand the other person’s situation.

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I hope this helps you in your job and professional career, Christopher!

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Practice

Think of a situation you had or will have telephoning a potential new client or supplier. Then practice saying the expressions we used above.

Want my feedback? Put your examples in the comments box below or email me at info@englishtco.com or chris@englishtco.com.

My Top Tip Recommendation:  Meetings In English – How To Answer Hostile Questions In English

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