Appendix - Transcripts

Module 1 - LOGISTICS
A. Introduction to Logistics
Exercise 1
Speaker 1 Logistics means that you manage the procurement and movement
of goods and the storage of inventory.
Speaker 2 It means the delivery of the goods the customer needs at the right
time, in the right place, and of the right quality.
Speaker 3 My definition of logistics is this: it’s to plan, organize, and manage
operations that provide services and goods.
Speaker 4 Logistics - that’s the purchasing, maintenance, distribution, and
replacement of material and staff.
Speaker 5 Logistics is the planning and support of operations such as
warehousing, inventory,transport, procurement, supply, and
maintenance.

Exercise 5
Speaker 1 My job is to organize the transport of goods either by sea, air, road,
or rail. An important part of the job is dealing with customer
requests about the most suitable mode of transport. My
responsibilities also include negotiating good shipping rates with
shipping lines and transport companies.
I also make booking reservations, that means I book space on a
ship, train, lorry, or airplane. Another part of the job is to
consolidate a number of shipments under one bill of lading. Apart
from that, I have to deal with all the necessary documentation and,
in many cases, I arrange customs clearance on behalf of my clients.
Speaker 2 I’m responsible for getting freight and passengers to their
destination safely and on schedule. Most of my customers are
international transport or shipping companies. In my job I have to
make sure that the cargo is not damaged onboard the ship or while
loading or unloading.I’m also responsible for financial aspects; that
means, for example, I have to keep an eye on the budget and
estimate [Link], I advise customers on shipping rates
and prepare quotations for our sales office.
Speaker 3 Generally my job is to know where every piece of stock is at any
given moment. When new goods arrive, I check where to put them
in the warehouse. For all this, I use modern computer systems and
sophisticated hardware and software.
Our warehouse management system helps us store and retrieve the
goods quickly. Another part of my job is to liaise with departments
such as transport and production. Apart from that, I ensure that
vehicles, machines, and any other kind of equipment are
maintained to a high level. And last but not least, I take care that
health and safety standards are maintained.

B. Logistics services
Exercise 3
(GFT Global Carrier) Provider 1
We are one of the world’s leading transport companies with a freight volume
of 600,000 containers per [Link] a major non-vessel operating common carrier
(NVOCC), we can offer our customers competitive rates with all major shipping
lines as well as flexible solutions for different sea freight requirements. We
specialize in solutions for full container loads (FCL) and less than container
consolidated loads (LCL). We also provide our customers with services such as
web-based tracking for cargo in transit.
(Home Tex International) Provider 2
As a specialist in home textiles, we can offer our clients customized services
to meet their needs. With more than 25 years’ experience in the industry and a
modem fleet of vehicles, we can ensure fast, safe delivery of your consignments.
Our services include order picking,packing, distribution and handling of all
transport documentation. Our team will be happy to assist you in all matters
regarding your order.
(Cargo Express) Provider 3
Cargo Express is Asia’s leading provider of air freight services. Specializing
in consolidated air freight forwarding, we can provide you with tailor-made
solutions for your air transport requirements. We work closely with air carriers
around the world and can offer our customers a wide range of flexible and cost-
effective services. These include collection, consolidation, customs clearance,
distribution, and online tracking of all cargo movements.
Exercise 5
1 As a major non-vessel operating common carrier, we can offer our customers
competitive rates with all major shipping lines.
2 We specialize in solutions for full container loads (FCL) and less than
container consolidated loads (LCL).
3 As a specialist in home textiles, we can offer our clients customized services
to meet their needs.
4 Our team will be happy to assist you in all matters regarding your order.
5 We can provide you with tailor-made solutions for your air transport
requirements.
6 We closely co-operate with air carriers around the world and can offer our
customers a wide range of flexible and cost-effective services.

Exercise 12
Speaker 1 Express Logistics Online Shipping
With our Quick Online Shipping tool you can find the right service to suit
your shipping needs. This online tool allows you to plan shipments, book
collections and deliveries, and keep track of your consignments. Using this
system you can also prepare shipping and customs documentation and check
shipment records for up to 90 days. To use QOS, simply log on by selecting
your town or region from the drop-down menu on the left.
Speaker 2 Intercargo E-Shipping
Our web-based booking system offers you an extensive range of e-services
designed to simplify your shipping [Link] registering with E-
Shipping, you can make price requests, schedule transport,and obtain real-time
shipment [Link] this user-friendly tool you can receive quotations for
worldwide shipments and place orders. You can also track pick-ups and
deliveries. With a mouse click you can also download commercial documents in
pdf format.

C. Modes of transport
Execise 2
Hao Well, basically we have three shipping options: we can use inland
waterways,road, or rail.
Ying Right. Let’s start with the river barge. How long would it take to ship the
consignment by barge?
Hao Normally about six days, but it often takes longer if the weather’s bad.
Ying And what about cost and flexibility?
Hao It’s cheap - it’s actually the cheapest of all the transport options. It’s not
very flexible though, mainly because there are only infrequent sailings.
There are barges to Shanghai twice a week.
Ying OK, let’s look at road transport. It would only take four days to ship by
truck, but the cost would be about 50% higher than by barge.
Hao Yes, but wouldn't it be much easier?
Ying That’s true. Let’s see how this compares with rail. Rail would definitely
be faster than the truck option if we use the express service - that takes
three days.
Hao But it would also be more expensive than shipping by road - transport
costs are about 40% higher. And the system isn’t very flexible.
Sometimes it is only possible to book space on the express train a few
weeks in advance. And then perhaps we’d have to use the standard train,
which is much slower.
Ying So, I think we need to check with our customer first and find out what’s
most important to them.

Exercise 8
First of all, we offer the general purpose container for any general dry cargo. It
comes with a timber floor and has various lashing devices to secure the load. These
lashing points are located horizontally at floor level and vertically next to the door
corner posts.

Our refrigerated container, called ‘reefer’, can be used for delicate cargo and
perishables. It is temperature-controlled and is particularly suitable for cargo that
needs regulated or cool temperatures. With our reefer your cargo reaches its
destination in perfect condition.

If you want to ship liquids, for example, foodstuffs or chemicals, we can provide
you with our ‘tanktainer’. This is a standard container frame with a tank fitted inside.
As an extra, we also offer tank containers with electric plugs in case the cargo needs
cooling or heating during transport.
 For bulky cargo we recommend the open-top container. It comes with a PVC
tarpaulin cover instead of a roof panel to allow loading from the top. The doors can be
removed to make loading easier. Last but not least, there is our ‘flat-rack’ container
which is especially designed for heavy loads. We recommend this special type of
container for the transportation of heavy machinery and pipes.

MODULE 2: HUMAN RESOURCES

Track 8 (J=Jackie, D=David)

J Good morning, David. How was your weekend?

D Excellent, thanks. Too short though!
J Yes, I know what you mean. Can we just have a word about the search
for the personnel officer in Madrid? I know that it's your responsibility,
but I'd like to be up to date on what's happening.
D Well, the job description and person specification have both been
finalized and cleared with Francisco Menendez in Madrid. We're looking
for someone with 2-5 years' generalist HR experience, either an HR
qualification or a degree and, last but not least, they must have high-level
English skills.
J So where are you planning to advertise?
D Well, firstly on our European intranet, although I don't think there's
much chance of finding anybody in-house or in the European offices.
J Not sure I agree with you there. Don't forget we took on a lot of
employees with the merger in 2002 - there might be some human
resources potential there.
D Yes, you have a point there. Then I thought I'd put the vacancy with a
couple of HR specialist recruitment consultancies which operate across
Europe.
J OK. What about an ad in the Spanish HR trade paper? They have a
monthly magazine, don't they?
D Yes, but there are very few job ads in there. I'll look into it though.
J And where are you going to interview?
D Well, I thought I'd offer interviews in the UK and Madrid, if that's OK.
It's important that Francisco Menendez is involved. As the general
manager, he and the personnel officer will need to work together closely
on the future recruitment campaign in Madrid.
J Yes, good idea. Well, David, I can see you've got it all under control.
Just keep me posted, please.
D No problem.
J Oh, sorry, I've got to run. I have a meeting about disciplinary procedures
in about five minutes. Oh, and by the way, I'll be back in the office again
on Thursday, so perhaps we can talk again then.

Track 9
A recruitment, June Stewart, and a team leader, Chiara Rossi, are
discussing terms and conditions with Marion Pelletier, who has just been
offered a position with business Systems Ltd. at their Manchester office. Listen
to the conversation and decide whether the following statements are true  or
false 
June We'd like to tell you something about conditions of employment. Of
course, they'll also be described in the contract of employment and the
company handbook, as well as in the offer letter.
Chiara Some employment procedures are different from those in France,
Marion, but there is generally more flexibility here, I think. Please ask
about anything you are not sure of.
June So, let's start with your hours. Normal working hours are 9-6 Monday to
Friday, with an hour for lunch. We currently operate a 40-hour week
(plus lunches). I'm afraid we don't operate flexitime yet and there may be
overtime during busy periods. This is either paid or given as time off in
lieu.
Marion I see.
Chiara By the way, we're currently looking at more flexible working
arrangements for our employees, but that's still in the future.
Marion OK. Could you tell me what happens if I am ill?
June We pay for the first 12 weeks of sickness and operate a company
'Permanent Health Insurance' scheme which continues to pay you after
that.
Chiara If you're ill, Marion, we expect you to phone in as early as possible on
the first day to tell us and then to keep us informed after that.
Marion Yes, that's clear. Could you tell me something about the holiday
allowance?
June Your annual paid holiday is 20 days, rising to 25 after two years' service.
You must clear dates first with your department head, of course.
MarionI have a week's holiday booked in two months' time - will you honour
this?
Chiara I'm sure that won't be a problem as it's only a week. We can discuss it in
detail later.
Marion Great. Would it be possible to see the contract?
June Yes, of course. One will be sent with the offer letter.
Chiara We'll be taking up references with your previous and present employer. I
know in France you would normally include references with your
application, but as you know, here in the UK we prefer to apply for
references ourselves. Which is why we'll make the offer of employment
'subject to satisfactory reference'.
MarionYes, I understand, I've given details of my referees on the application
form. My present employer in Marseille knows I'm leaving, so you can
go ahead and contact them. I'll tell them to expect a letter from you.
Chiara Well thanks, Marion. I hope you'll be joining us soon and look forward
to welcoming you to the department. Maybe you'd like to meet some of
the team over a bite of lunch? We'll all be going to the canteen in around
15 minutes.
Marion That sounds nice, thanks.
June Yes, well, I'll leave Chiara to look after you Marion. We'll get the offer
letter, contract, and handbook in the post within the next 24 hours. Could
you please let us know if you want to accept the job offer by the
beginning of next week?
Marion Right. Thank you both very much. I feel very positive about everything

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