Grace:
Hello Dominic, can I have a word?
Dominic:
Oh, hello Grace, of course you can.
Grace:
You know, you applied for that extra training on the new computer software that we're using.
Grace:
Well, I managed to push it through.
Dominic:
I thought it would be rejected because it was too expensive.
Grace:
There were certainly objections raised to that, but the main problem was that they didn't want you away on the days of the training.
Grace:
You'll be away in San Francisco while we're having the big sales meeting.
Dominic:
So what happened?
Grace:
I said I'd be able to fill in for you if you told me the key things needed for the customers.
Dominic:
Thanks so much, Grace.
Grace:
When can we meet so that you can fill me in then?
Dominic:
How about just before the normal start of work on Monday?
Dominic:
We can arrive an hour early and I'll have everything ready.
Grace:
I drive my daughters to school on Mondays, so it's hard for me to get here that early.
Grace:
How about at the end of the working day on Friday?
Dominic:
I'm leaving here at lunchtime that day, as I have a meeting in town about the new parts we're ordering.
Dominic:
The only time I'm really free is Thursday morning.
Grace:
I'm in a meeting that time.
Grace:
Look, I'll ask my friend Andrew to take my daughter into school on Monday.
Grace:
That way we can meet as you first suggested.
Dominic:
You'll need to have your computer with you so that I can upload some stuff.
Grace:
Will there be a lot to do?
Dominic:
I can explain all the rationale behind the design decisions to you, and if you make some brief notes, that'll be enough.
Dominic:
I'll also explain the model that we've made to show the customers.
Dominic:
It'll be quite straightforward, as it's similar to the last one we did for the previous contract.
Dominic:
The model is in my office.
Dominic:
Finally, I'll also upload the sales forecast to you, as you'll need that to prove that our ideas are right.
Grace:
Now, do you have any questions about the training?
Grace:
I've just read up about it for you.
Dominic:
Well, first of all, I'll need to stay overnight in San Francisco.
Dominic:
How should I pay for everything?
Dominic:
I paid in advance myself last time and then got the money back from the company.
Grace:
That's always a bit of a pain, though.
Grace:
You have to collect and keep all the receipts safe.
Grace:
I know the company cards is not being used, so I'll make sure you get that.
Dominic:
I don't like having to pay these expensive hotels myself, as my credit card is nearly always maxed out.
Dominic:
The company is not keen on giving out cash in advance, either.
Grace:
No, that's not popular here.
Dominic:
The next thing is how the company would like me to travel to the training.
Dominic:
The bus is the cheapest, but I like to work on my computer, and that's not very easy on a bus.
Grace:
It's also not really far enough for a plane journey, either.
Dominic:
Amtrak has a service there.
Grace:
What would you prefer?
Dominic:
Anything but the bus, really.
Dominic:
I'd even drive rather than take the bus and miss the work on the journey.
Grace:
I'll make a train booking for you.
Grace:
Driving will be too tiring for you, and you want to arrive fresh and alert.
Grace:
Now, I want to explain where your training is.
Grace:
It's at the Green Bay Business Park.
Grace:
You know where that is?
Dominic:
Yeah, I've been there before.
Grace:
Do you know the Forward Thinking Training Centre as well?
Dominic:
No, I've never been to that training company before.
Grace:
OK, so you arrive at the main gates.
Grace:
Go in and take the middle road.
Grace:
That will take you past the mobile phone company on the right, and the GPS centre on the left.
Dominic:
Just a moment, Grace.
Dominic:
I'll just get some paper.
Dominic:
I'll either write it down or I'll forget.
Dominic:
OK, here we are.
Dominic:
I'm just making a note of what you just said.
Dominic:
Right, carry on.
Grace:
So after you pass the mobile phone company and the GPS centre, take the next right and then the first left.
Grace:
Go 100 metres down that road and Forward Thinking will be on the left, with the radio station opposite.
Dominic:
That seems fairly straightforward.
Dominic:
You know, I think I do know this actually.
Dominic:
I went there last year for an accountancy training.
Grace:
I went on that for a different account there as well.
Dominic:
Yes, it was a good training, so I know where it is now.
Dominic:
When you pass Forward Thinking, then there's a dead end with the recycling depot.
Grace:
Yes, that's right.
Dominic:
Now, do I need to take anything with me?
Dominic:
My company ID, for instance?
Grace:
Let's have a look at this letter.
Grace:
No ID is required.
Grace:
It says you only need to bring this confirmation letter.
Grace:
You can take your computer for making any notes you like.
Dominic:
OK, that'll be useful.
Grace:
Yes, it says here too that lunch will be provided and drinks throughout the day.
Grace:
They'll also give you a password to get online there, so you can keep in touch with us if necessary.