Business english. Logistics

Introduction to logistics

Make a list of all the different areas of logistics you can think of by completing the diagram below

Exercise 1. Five people give their definition of logistics. Complete the sentences using the words from the box

Listen to the recording and check your answers from exercise 1

provide • storage • support • distribution • delivery • maintenance

1. Logistics means that you manage the procurement and movement of goods and the _________ of inventory.
2. It means the _________of the goods the customer needs at the right time, in the right place, and of the right quality.
3. My definition of logistics is this: it’s to plan, organize, and manage operations that _________services and goods.
4. Logistics - that’s the purchasing, maintenance, _________, and replacement of material and staff.
5. Logistics is the planning and _________of operations such as warehousing, inventory, transport, procurement, supply, and _________.

Exercise 2. Complete the following table using the words from exercise 1

Exercise 3. Now complete the sentences with the correct form of the words from the table

1. In my job I oversee the _________ of vehicles and machinery.
2. Do they also _________ parcels and packages on Sundays?
3. Goods are normally bought in the _________ department.
4. We _________ a 24-hour delivery service.
5. This company only _________ goods by road.
6. We _________ all our goods in the warehouse.

Exercise 4. Match the definitions (a-f) with the words (1-6) below

Exercise 5. Listen to three people describing their jobs in logistics: a warehouse manager, a freight forwarder, and a shipping operations manager. Match each job to the correct person

Упражнение 5

1. _________ 
2. _________ 
3. _________ 

Now listen video again and complete the sentences

Person 1
1. My job is to the transport of goods either by sea, air, road, or rail.
2. An important part of the job is _________ with customer requests about the most suitable mode of transport.
3. My responsibilities also include _________ good shipping rates with shipping lines and transport companies.
4. I _________ customs clearance on behalf of my clients.
Person 2
5. In my job I have to _________ that the cargo is not damaged onboard the ship or while loading or unloading.
6. I _________ customers on shipping rates and prepare quotations for our sales office
Person 3
7. Another part of my job is to _________ with departments such as transport and production.
8. Apart from that, I _________ that vehicles, machines, and any other kind of equipment are maintained to a high level.

Exercise 7. Match the verbs (i-8) with the activities (a-h) to make phrases from the recordings. Then listen again to check if necessary

Exercise 8. Work with a partner to describe two different jobs. The phrases in the box will help you.
TALKING ABOUT JOB RESPONSIBILITIES partner В File 09. p. 72

File 01
Partner A
Job specification for position as store supervisor
1. Responsible for store and inventory.
2. Make purchase requests for all stocked items that are at minimum.
3. Receive and process incoming orders.
4. Ensure materials received are in good condition.
5. Inform customers of collection or delivery dates.
6. Check invoices against orders.

Exercise 9. Replace the underlined verbs with words from the box that have the same meaning

provide • train • organize • ensure • inform about • check
1. We supply software for the car industry.
2. I often advise clients on the most suitable transport method.
3. In mv iob I have to make sure that passengers arrive on schedule.
4. Mv iob is to supervise incoming goods.
5. I also plan the transport of goods.
6. I instruct staff.

Exercise 10. Complete the form with your own job details. Use complete sentences and expressions from this unit

TALKING ABOUT REGULAR ACTIVITIES
When talking about general facts and describing what we normally do, we use the present simple. It is often used with words that say how often something happens, e.g. usually, often, always, sometimes, every, etc. We use the verb do to make questions and negative statements:
I work for an international logistics company.
He usually spends a lot of time with his customers.
Do you ship goods to Asia?
He doesn’t work in the European office.

Exercise 11. Put the words in the right order. Use the correct form of the verb

  

1. an excellent / provide / delivery service / my company.
2. you / how much / handle / cargo / per year ?
3. to other countries / not ship / we / chemical products
4. responsible for / be / the warehouse manager / also / vehicles and machinery.
5. to foreign companies / car parts / this vendor / supply ?
6. usually / arrange / for companies / a freight forwarder / documentation.

Exercise 12. Work with a partner. Follow the steps below to practise this dialogue

A Ask В what he/she does.
В Respond. Tell A where you work.
A Ask В to give you some details about the job.
В Tell A about your main job activities. Then ask A about his/her job.
A Respond. Describe your job activities.

Exercise 13. Complete the crossword puzzle with words from this unit

Exercise 14. Read this article and answer the questions

Over to You
1. Do you know any other countries with considerable export growth rates?
2. How does logistics play an important role in a country’s economy?
3. What do you know about the logistics industry in your country?

KEYS