Future Technology
The speakers at the Bright Ideas conference last year gave optimistic ideas about the future. I liked what Henrik Mayer said. He believes that technology will provide more health services to people who live far from hospitals. If a sick person has a mobile phone, the doctors will use teleconferencing technology to help sick people by phone. This seems realistic, and it will help people have fewer health problems in the future. [Teleconferencing software will be effective for doctors and sick people].
------------------------------
A: Hey, You know, there's a revolution in technology going on.
B: Yeah, I know
A: Are we ready for it?
B: We? you mean, IXW?
A: Yeah. People have had smartphones for years, but we haven't developed one mobile application.
B: I can see why you're worried. I already do all my banking on my smartphone. If only I could do my taxes on it.
A: I'm sure our competition is working on that. We should be, too. I have some concerns about our company's attitude toward mobile applications.
B: Yeah. We're in danger of failing behind.
A: We are failing behind. Some developer's probably already invented the next cool app for banking. And they're selling it to a competitor right now.
B: Why don't you talk to Todd and Joan about it?
A: Maybe I will. I have a meeting with them this afternoon.
B: Do you think they're concerned about mobile?
A: Not yet. But after our discussion, they will be.
------------------------------
Multi - Drive
Plan your day.
Get your email.
Send texts.
Get organized while you're in your car.
Stop wasting time in your car. Multi-Drive, our latest hands-free invention, will revolutionize the way you work – and get to work. Use any smartphone with the Multi-Drive system. Now you can work safely and successfully outside your office. Want to organize your schedule? Tell Multi-Drive. Need that important email from your boss? Let Multi-Drive read it to you. Text messages? Speak and send them with Multi-Drive.
Be more productive. Go to work before you get to work!
Warning: Driving while using a mobile device is against the law. Use Multi-Drive responsibly.
- Multi-Drive is a revolutionary new way to use your smartphone in your car.
- Multi-Drive helps you be more productive on your way to work. You can prepare report, make appointments and text colleagues.
- Todd Maecam created the Multi-Drive application. He's one of our most inventive developers.
- Todd will now describe how Multi-Drive works. Todd?
- Sorry, I am not very organized. I can't find my notes. Uh, just a minute.
------------------------------
INVENTOR: Everything is changing. Technology is revolutionizing our work and entertainment.
JUDY: What's she talking about?
MAC: I'm not really sure. Something about how they'll soon be producing notebooks that are as thin as a piece of paper?
JUDY: I'm not interested. I'm happy with my old desktop computer.
MAC: Shhh! Let's listen to what she's saying.
INVENTOR: No more monitors. We'll be using our hands, the wall, a desk – anything flat – as a touch screen.
JUDY: Huh?
MAC: Wow. I think that she means we'll be taking anything flat and using it as a computer monitor. Like, we could see a video game and a keyboard on a wall and press the keys to play the game.
JUDY: Scary! I don't want to play a video game or call somebody on my hand.
MAC: But you will. Everyone will be doing it someday.
INVENTOR: Yes, ladies and gentlemen! This is the future.
------------------------------
A: That was an amazing documentary
B: Gotta love those tiny robots.
A: Yeah. But I find it hard to believe these robots will go inside our bodies, find cancer cells and destroy them.
B: I dont know, some of the prediction about the future technology really blew me away.
A: I liked when the scientist predict we'll have genetic scanners that can read our whole DNA in two minutes. But I find it hard to believe.
B: I think in the future, robots will be everywhere.
A: Yeah. We'll have robot babysitters, robots helping the elderly...
B: No! I mean these robots will be everywhere, and they'll be so small, we won't be able to see them. They'll get inside our brains and tell us what to do. Must buy that brand of soda. Must have those new sneakers.
A: Seriously, though, it's shocking how much robots will take over our lives in the future.
B: Scary, huh? Oh I have another prediction.
A: What?
B: I predict... a pizza delivery.
------------------------------
A: Joan, how was the conference?
B: Fascinating. I saw a very different idea of the future. And I think it'll be good for business.
A: How do you mean?
B: You know how so many people are pessimistic about the future?
A: Yeah. It can be a little scary sometimes.
B: Well, all of the speakers at the conference were optimistic. For them, the future's incredible.
A: That's great, I suppose. But is it realistic?
B: I think so. The speakers talked about how technology is improving the lives of people in the developing world. Cellphones have brought better communication, and people are getting computers.
A: And computer need software.
B: Exactly. Africa will be a huge market for us soon.
A: It will.
B: I also saw a demonstration of some technology that would be great for us.
A: Really? What was it?
B: The latest teleconferencing Technology. We did a call with Tokyo, and it was like they were in the room with us.
A: It would be wonderful to have that here.
B: Yeah. We could have more effective meetings with Sunset Computers in New York.
A: Or with Lindstorm in Sweden. Fewer long business trips.
B: Exactly what I was thinking.
------------------------------
B: Okay. Let's get started. The purpose of this meeting is to talk about upgrading or computers. We also need tp prepare for tomorrow's meeting with the vendor.
C: Yes. Nancy Keagan from Compunow. I think Compunow has the kind of computers we need, and at a reasonable price.
B: So, let's make sure we're all on the same page regarding quantities and cost. Todd?
A: I expect we'll need about 35 new laptops oven the next 12 months. I want laptops so that people can move around and talk to each other more.
C: That's a great idea. It's noisy in the office sometimes. If people can move to a quieter area, they can be more productive.
B: So, how many computer do you need, Simon?
C: I anticipate my team will need 15 desktop computers in the next year. Compunov's SF-36 would be perfect. It does a great job with large database, and doesn't often slow down or crash.
B: I see. So, altogether, you two foresee a need for 50 computers over the next year. Um, Todd, have you looked at Compunow's laptops?
C: Yes, and I talked to some people over at Sunset Computers. They love the PF-30s. They're powerful and reasonably priced.
B: Hmm..mm.. how reasonably?
A: Well, Sunset bought theirs for 800 dollars each.
B: Hmm. That's a bit high. We need to negotiate a better price. Simon, how much are the SF-36s?
C: The standard model starts at 900.
B: That's quite reasonable.
C: But we need something with more memory and larger hard drive. The one I want costs about $1100.
B: Let's um, take a break. I'll have a look at the budget and see if I can make these numbers work. I'll come get you if there's a problem.
A: Okay.
C: Sure.
model: a specific design or type of product
upgrade: to improve the quality or performance of something
crash: to fail suddenly
hard drive: where files are stored on your computer
As you all know, we have a very limited budget right now. We would love to upgrade our computers to help all our employees become more productive. Unfortunately, we've been unable to negotiate a reasonable price with the vendor. It looks like we will have to stay with the standard model.
- my computer doesn't have enough memory to run the software.
- A 2 percent increase in the budget isn't enough.
- my computer crashed, and I couldnt finish my work.
------------------------------
Hi, Bill.
A quick update to make sure you know what's going on with the negotiations: As you know, Fred Thompson is taking the lead for our team. He's doing a great job. I'm telling you, nobody takes advantage of that guy! We made some real headway today. I think we can do business with them. No final deal yet, but we're close. We can definitely make the numbers we talked about work.
------------------------------
Okay. I just want to make sure we're all on the same page regarding our negotiating position. I anticipate the negotiations will be difficult, but I also foresee reaching a deal with the vendor. In the end, I expect them to decrease their price by at least 15 percent.
------------------------------
B: So, Nancy, as I told you in my email, over the next 12 months we need 50 computers: 35 Laptops and 15 desktops. We're looking at your PF-30 laptops and the SF-36 desktops. I, uh, also gave you some prices.
D: Yes, and thanks for the detailed information. I, uh, suggest that we begin by going over your needs. But, uh, would you clarify a couple of points for me? First, how did you choose these particular computers? We. uh, sell a lot of different models.
C: I chose the SF-36 because it's powerful, and it has a solid reputation for being durable. They're pretty much state of the art.
D: Yes, they great computers.
A: I, uh, chose the PF-30. The use them at Sunset Computers. They love them because they're lightweight and tough.
D: Doesn't IXW own Sunset?
B: That's right.
D: And, in your email, you said that you just need a basic laptop for your employees?
B: Yes
D: So, where did you get the price of $800 for the PF-30 laptop? Our lowest price for those is $900.
A: Umm, I'm not sure that I understand. I was told that Sunset paid 800 for them.
D: Well, I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding somewhere. We never sell them for lower than 900.
B: Hmm. Thirty-five PF-30s at $900 each would be.. over $30,000. That would be an enormous problem for our budget. And, um, we were expecting a lower price because we're buying so many computers.
D: Well, you have to understand, I have some limitations.
B: So there's really no way you can go below 900?
D: No, I'm afraid not. But I am confident we can work something out. We just have to be a little more flexible.
------------------------------
D: Okay. Let's look at your preliminary offer. You want to buy 15 SF-36s and 30 PF-30s.
B: And we want a bulk discount to lower their prices.
D: I'm afraid a bulk discount's out of the question. I'm really sorry, but we can't offer a discount on only 50 computers.
B: Nancy, help us out here. There's no way we can pay the full price.
D: Joan, I want to work with you. IXW and Sunset together could be a huge customer for us in the future. Here's what I can do. I propose that you not buy the PF-30.
A: Let me get this straight. You're suggesting we dont buy laptops?
D: No, I'm suggesting you dont buy the PF-30s.
A: So what do you propose we buy?
D: The PF-29. A general office laptop. A little bit slower than the 30, but all our customers love it.
C: Joan, she's right. I know the PF-29. It's fine for what we need. I didnt know you still sold them.
B: Okay, So, um, how much?
C: What would you say if I offered them to you for $600 each?
B: I think I'd probably accept. It's easy within our budget.
C: I can't confirm this today, I'll have to check with my boss.
B: And, um, I want more information from you two. Why dont we meet later in the week and finalize this?
C: That would be great.
------------------------------
At the beginning of negotiations, their preliminary offer was $475 per general office laptop. That's full price! Obviously, we couldnt accept that. Then, because we wanted to buy 175 machines, they offered us a bulk discount. I checked with my boss, and finalized the deal at $425 per machine.
------------------------------
Negotiate to win-win!
The best kind of negotiation ends in a win-win situation. That is, both sides feel that the final deal was good for them. There are specific negotiating strategies that can be used. First, separate the people from the negotiations. Don't let emotions and personalities get in the way of an agreement. Second, don't focus too much on preliminary offers. Try to understand what will be good for both sides. Third, work with the other side to find solutions that will lead to a win-win result. Finally, be honest and fair. Look at the facts on both sides. Try following these steps to increase your chances of a win-win result.
------------------------------
D: So, my boss confirmed that $600 for the PF-29 is okay.
B: I'm glad to hear it.
C: me too. I've been talking with a few friends who use the PF-29, and they recommend it.
B: So, let's take a moment and review what we've agreed to so far.
D: Okay, This is what I have: Over the next year, IXW will buy 35 PF-29 laptops at $600 per unit, and 15 SF-36 desktops, at $1,100 per unit. The total of both purchases is $37,500.
B: Good! That's what I have too. Now, let's talk about the next steps. What about the, uh, ordering and payment process, and the service plan?
C: Well, it's simple. When you decide you want computers, you call me. After a delivery, we'll send an invoice. standard 30-day payment. We offer a standard one-year service plan that covers parts and labor - no charge to IXW - and I'll send a contract for you to review in a couple of days. Just call me if there's a problem.
B: Well. I think that we're all in agreement.
C: Nancy, it's been a pleasure working with you.
A: Yes. Your suggestion to go with PR-29 broke the deadlock.
C: Absolutely.
D: Thanks. I look forward to building a long-term relationship with IXW. I'll be in touch.
------------------------------
Hi, Sam.
Just wanted to take a moment and review the results of our negotiations. This is what I have: The vendor has confirmed that they can deliver 250 laptops at $850 per unit. That's down from the full price of $925. Delivery would be over the next three months. The total purchase price is $212,500.
The next step is for them to send us the contract. You will need to sign that. Oh, one question: The standard service plan is for two years. Are we interested in paying an extra $30 per unit to make that a three-year service plan? Let me know before they write up the contract.
------------------------------
Komentar
Posting Komentar