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International Business & Trade

Addressing Supply Chain Disruptions

Two international business partners are discussing how to mitigate the impact of unforeseen supply chain issues (e.g., natural disaster, political instability) on their trade operations.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
John (Male)
Emily, thanks for making time. We need to discuss the impact of this regional unrest on our upcoming shipments of semiconductors. It's looking quite volatile.
2
Emily (Female)
Of course, John. It's a critical issue. My team is already seeing delays from the port. Do we have any contingency plans in place beyond our standard buffer stock?
3
John (Male)
We're exploring alternative shipping routes, but they'll naturally come with increased costs and longer transit times. The key is to manage client expectations proactively.
4
Emily (Female)
Agreed. Communication is paramount. Perhaps we should draft a joint statement to our major clients, assuring them we're actively working on solutions and providing revised timelines.
5
John (Male)
That's a sensible approach. We should also investigate whether any of our smaller suppliers in less affected areas can ramp up production to offset the shortfall from the primary source.
6
Emily (Female)
Good point. Diversifying our supplier base, especially for critical components, is something we should prioritize in the long term, stemming from this experience.
7
John (Male)
Absolutely. For now, let's focus on the immediate crisis. I'll get finance to run some cost analyses on the alternative routes, and you can lead on client communications. We'll touch base again by end of day.
8
Emily (Female)
Sounds like a plan, John. I'll prepare the initial draft for the client statement. Let's hope this situation stabilizes soon.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

volatile

Unstable or likely to change suddenly, often used in business to describe unpredictable situations like markets or politics.

contingency plans

Backup plans prepared for unexpected problems, useful in business to handle risks like delays.

buffer stock

Extra inventory kept to prevent shortages during disruptions, a common term in supply chain management.

proactively

Acting in advance to prevent problems, rather than reacting after they occur; important for professional communication.

paramount

Of the highest importance, used to emphasize something crucial in discussions or negotiations.

ramp up

To increase production or activity quickly, often in response to demand or shortages in business contexts.

diversifying

Spreading out sources or options to reduce risk, like having multiple suppliers instead of one.

touch base

To briefly contact or check in with someone, a casual business phrase for follow-up meetings.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

It's looking quite volatile.

This uses present continuous for ongoing situations and 'volatile' to describe instability. Useful for updating on uncertain business conditions, like market changes.

Do we have any contingency plans in place beyond our standard buffer stock?

A question seeking information on backups, using 'in place' for readiness. Great for discussions on risk management in trade.

The key is to manage client expectations proactively.

Emphasizes importance with 'the key is to' structure, plus adverb 'proactively'. Helpful for explaining strategies in client relations.

Communication is paramount.

Simple statement using 'is paramount' to stress importance. Ideal for business talks where clear communication is vital.

We should also investigate whether any of our smaller suppliers... can ramp up production.

Uses 'investigate whether' for suggestions on exploration, and 'ramp up' idiom. Useful for proposing solutions in supply chain issues.

We'll touch base again by end of day.

Informal future plan with 'touch base' phrasal verb and time expression. Common in professional emails or calls for follow-ups.