نترس!

Don’t panic

Narrator

Hello, welcome back to Tip Top Trading where everyone is gossiping about Paul’s announcement. Anna is to lead the company’s new stock management system for the new laser-curved fruit.

(Denise on phone)

Denise

Yes Anna…the new girl…she’s done really well although I don’t know what experience she’s got….anyway, about the hairdresser you mentioned, oh I loved his aftershave… Tom

I can’t understand it. I’ve got all the experience and all the ideas…she’s just such a… Anna

Tom. Sorry to interrupt, I just wanted to check you’re ok with me leading this strategy for stock management.

Tom

Oh of course. Yeah, you deserve it.

Narrator

That was a nice touch Anna.

Anna

But Tom, now you must help me.

Tom

Eh?!

Narrator

Anna! That’s not the best way to ask for help. Remember what I’ve always told you about politeness?

Anna

Be polite – yes you keep telling me that.

Narrator

And if you want someone to help you, ask them, don’t tell them – even if it is Tom!

Anna

Oh right. I’m in a bit of a panic. I’ve never done this before. I don’t know where to begin.

Narrator

Well start by asking your colleagues for help like this: I would be most grateful if you could give me some help Please could I ask you for some advice?

I know you’re busy but could you spare me a few minutes of your time please?

Go on, give it a try!

Anna

Right, thanks. I’ll try. Erm, excuse me Tom. Sorry about earlier. I’m a little nervous about leading this strategy thing and I would be most grateful if you could give me some help… please?

Tom

Of course Anna. Why didn’t you say, I’d be delighted. I’ve lost count of the number of projects I’ve lead over the years.

Anna

Great, thanks. So… where do you think I should begin?

Tom

Well, give me a few minutes and I’ll just find some of the excellent work I did last year. Basically, you’ll just need to copy it. Hold on… Paul

Ah Anna… just popping out for some biscuits… err, how’s the stock management strategy coming along?

Anna

Oh very good Paul… actually, please could I ask you for some advice, please?

Paul

Yes of course… although I don’t know if I’ll be much use!

Tom

… now where did I save those damn documents?… Anna

I’m very grateful for this opportunity but I’m a little unsure of where to start. Tom is looking for some his old work but… Paul

Really?! To be honest, this isn’t Tom’s speciality. At a time like this I would ask Denise.

Anna

Denise!?

Paul

Yes… she may only be the office assistant but she always has words of wisdom. Right… custard creams or chocolate digestives?

Anna

What?

Paul

Biscuits?

Anna

Oh… custard creams please. Err, Denise, I know you’re busy but could you spare a few minutes of your time please?

Denise

Of course Anna, always happy to help you.

Anna

Well you know the stock management control system?

Denise

The one you’ve now got to work out… well done for getting that!

Anna

Thanks. I really don’t know where to begin. It was OK writing it down for Paul but how do I put it in to practice? There’s just too much to do!

Denise

Calm down Anna. You’ll be fine. The first thing you need to do is to look at our current system.

Anna

Look at our current system. How do I do that?

Denise

Easy! Just take the lift down to the warehouse and speak to Mr Ingle and then write down what you find – and draw up an action plan of tasks you need to do – like a shopping list – I’m very good at those.

Anna

Go and see Mr Ingle? Oh do I have to.

Denise

He’s ok really Anna. If you approach him in the right way he won’t bite your head off!

Anna

What? Bite my head off! Oh… well, if he won’t bite me… then I suppose I should go and see him. Thanks for your advice Denise, I could kiss you. Right, I’m going to go and see him right now.

Narrator

Make an action plan! A good idea. Well done Denise, you’re smarter than you look! And well done Anna, you eventually got the help you needed by using these phrases: I would be most grateful if you could give me some help Please could I ask you for some advice?

I know you’re busy but could you spare me a few minutes of your time please?

Remember, if you’re stuck for ideas just ask for help…but maybe not Tom, I wonder how he’s getting on?

Tom

(shouting across room) Here Anna, I’ve got them. Look, all my ideas from my last stock control project…pages and pages of them. Just copy these, they’re brilliant. Anna? Anna!

Paul

…too late, I’ve just seen her in the lift. Fancy a custard cream Tom?

Narrator

So Anna is off to speak to the prickly Mr Ingle. Let’s hope she uses those phrases to ask for help, otherwise she might get her head bitten off – and it could get very messy! See you next time.