Narrator: Hello, welcome back to Tip Top Trading where everyone is gossiping about Paul's announcement that 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 not. You deserve it.
Narrator: That was a nice touch Anna.
Anna: But Tom, now you must help me.
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?
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: Give me a few minutes and I'll find some of the excellent work I did last year. You'll just need to copy it really. 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?
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.
Paul: Yes…she may only be the office assistant but she always has words of wisdom. Right…custard creams of chocolate digestives?
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!