Business travel

A: You wanted to see me?
B: Todd, we have a problem in Sweden
A: You mean, with Lindstorm?
B: Yes, with Lindstorm. They're going to be late. This could be a huge problem for us. 
A: But we've made promises to clients.
B: Exactly. And the CEO's being really unhelpful. I dont understand what the problem is, but someone has to go over there and find out. 
A: You mean, you're going to Sweden?
B: No, Todd. I mean, you're going to Sweden. Can you leave tomorrow?
A: Well...
B: Is this a problem?
A: No, no. I can handle it.
B: I dont need a visa for Sweden, just my passport, so it's pretty simple. But I'll need all the details you have about the Windstorm situation. 
A: Of course. I'll send you all I've got.
B: Joan...try not to worry too much. I know the people at Lindstorm. They're good people. I'm sure this is all just a misunderstanding.
A: Hmmmh..
B: It's going to be all right.
A: I hope so. It has to be.    

Hello, is this the New Orient Hotel in Shanghai? 
Great. And you are a five-star resort, correct? 
Wonderful. Uhh, I would like to book a room for the evenings of the 24th and 25th. 
Yes. A single room. 
You know what? Actually do you have a deluxe suite? 
You do? Great. And uh, what services does your hotel provide for a room like that? 
Ok. All right. A DVD player, a mini-bar, a panoramic view of the city. If I wanted to get a massage, could I do that? I could get a massage in the room or at the spa? 
The gym is right next to the spa? And do you have a pool? You have a pool and a jacuzzi.
Uh, do you have a business center? it's in the room? OK, that includes a fax machine and a telephone line. 
Uh, no. I dont golf. You have a golf course. Oh, ok, maybe I'll begin.
Uh, great. And do you have any conference rooms? You do. Wonderful.
All right, I am going to go ahead and book this.
Uh, I'm going to be paying with a credit card. Uh, yeah. The credit card number is 8423-6655-5301. The expiration is 07-11-22.

Hi, there. I would like to book a ticket from Los Angeles to Shanghai. Departing on the 23rd. 
Yes, an 11 a.m. departure is fine. 
Uh, 17:05 on the 24th in Shanghai? Yeah. That would be perfect.
Uh, yes. Banks - Stuart Banks.
My passport number? Uh, yes. Just a moment. Umm, my passport, right. 

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HOTEL CLERK: Hotel Royal. Good evening.
BUSINESSMAN: Uh, hi. I have a reservation for the nights of December 7th and 8th. My name is Kent. Brad Kent.
HOTEL CLERK: Uh-huh? Right. I see it here.
BUSINESSMAN: I'd like to change that to the 8th and 9th, if possible.
HOTEL CLERK: All right. Let me just check. No problem, sir.  I can make that change for you now, if you like.
BUSINESSMAN: That'd be perfect. Thank you so much.
HOTEL CLERK: Not at all. Is there anything else?
BUSINESSMAN: Uh, yes. Does my room have internet access?
HOTEL CLERK: Yes, it does. Every room at Hotel Royal has free internet access.  
BUSINESSMAN: Great. Thank you very much.    

A: Per Lindstrom
B: Per. This is Todd Billings from IXW. Joan and I have been trying to reach you. 
A: Oh, Todd! I'm really sorry. Things are happening fast here. 
B: Look. It's absolutely critical that we meet. I want to ask you some questions about the software you're developing for us. It's already behind deadline.
A: Well, honestly, Todd, I'm extremely busy this week. It's, uh, hard to explain.
B: Per. It's vital that we sit down together and talk. We're paying your company a lot of money. It's essential we get an understanding of what's going on. 
A: You're right. Uh, when can we set up a meeting?
B: How about sometime today? I'm in Stockholm right now. 
A: You're in Stockholm? 
B: Per. I sent emails and left voicemail messages. You didn't get them?
A: Oh, no, I um ... it's been crazy here. 
B: Look. We need to meet as soon as possible. When are you free today?
A: Oh, uh.. let, let me just check my calendar. 
B: Todd, I'm sorry, but I'm booked all day. Today just doesn't work.
A: What day will suit you?
B: Hmmm. I'm free early tomorrow morning. Can you do 8 o'clock?
A: Yes. I'll be there at 8. 
B: Great. I'll clear my schedule for the rest of the morning. And again, I'm sorry for all this.
A: I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. 
B: And I'll explain everything.
A: That would be good.    

A: So, Todd. I have some positive news, but also some bad news. First, the bad news. Our director of engineering quit two weeks ago. He just walked out the door (leave).
B: That's unfortunate.
A: Yes. We're a small company, and when someone like that quits...
B: Okay. So I understand why you're running behind schedule (go slower than planned). But, moving forward (continue), what are we going to do to wrap this project up (finish)? We need that software fast.
A: I understand. And this is the positive news. We are fast-tracking your project (achieve as quickly as possible). We've hired a new senior engineer, and she's working only on your project. Her team will work seven days a week (all the time) until it's finished. 
B: Good. So, when do we get our software?
A: I wish that I had better news for you. We'll miss the deadline (not meet the schedule) by two weeks. But we are back on track (on schedule again).
B: Per. I just flew halfway around the world to hear this, because you weren't answering your emails. Communication is the real issue here. You have to keep us informed (tell me what's happening).  
A: Yes. Agreed. From now on, I'll email you daily until the software is ready. 
B: Okay. Daily sounds good. 
A: So, let's look at the new production plan.
C: [Joan's voicemail] You've reached the voicemail of Joan Baxter. I'm not available right now, so please leave a message after the tone.
B: Joan, this is Todd. I just wanted to give you a summary of my meeting with Per. I'm sorry to tell you this, but the software will be two weeks late. They lost their best engineer a couple of weeks ago. But they're hired a new person, and Per has the team working around the clock (work nonstop). I have to say that maybe two weeks isn't so bad. I was worried that it would be two months. Anyway, give me a call when you get this.  

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Our product manager quit suddenly last week. She just walked out the door.
We'll have to work 24/7. We're already running two weeks behind schedule.
Communication is the key. Moving forward, how can we improve it?
They wrapped the project up in three months. It was incredible.
They're fast-tracking Tom for a manager's position. In only two years' time, he'll be a boss.
Our project is back on track. Everything's going much better now.