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<Upper-Intermediate> Lesson No.18

Switching Proposal from Competitor Products / 競合製品からの切り替え提案

0.Greetings & Ice-break (2min.)|挨拶と導入

 

0-1 Greetings

Let’s practice a short small talk that you can use to greet a business partner and start building a good relationship.

講師との挨拶を兼ねて、ビジネスパートナーと信頼関係を築くための短いスモールトークを練習してみましょう。

[Tips / 会話のヒント]

・Can you hear me clearly? 

 私の声はクリアに聞こえますか?
・How's your day going so far?

 今日はどんな一日でしたか?
・Talk about one small topic (Work, Weather, News, Hometown, Sports event, etc.)

 軽い話題について話しましょう(仕事、天気、ニュース、地元、スポーツイベントなど)

0-2 Introduction​

In today’s lesson, we’ll learn about the following situation. Have you ever experienced something similar?

本日のレッスンでは以下のようなシチュエーションについて学びます。同様のシチュエーションを経験したことがありますか?​

​​

- If you have experience, please tell us what it was like, what was difficult, or what you learned.

   経験があれば、どんな内容だったか、難しかったことや学んだことなどを教えて下さい。 

- If you don’t have experience, try to imagine yourself handling that situation in English.

  What do you think would be challenging?

  経験がなければ、英語でその状況に対応しているところを想像してみましょう。どんなことが難しそうですか?

Situation / シチュエーション

Proposing product advantages, switching benefits, and migration support to overseas companies currently using competitor products for switching to our products.
現在競合他社製品を使用している海外企業に自社製品の優位性、切り替えメリット、移行サポートを提案する場面です。

1. Read (2 min)|型を学ぶ
Let's read the following key sentences aloud!
下記の文章や単語を順番に音読しましょう!

1-1 Basic phrases
1.Let me demonstrate...(...を実証させてください)
2.We utilize advanced sensor technology that...(...する先進的なセンサー技術を活用しています)
3.I've calculated the total investment at...(総投資額を...と算出しました)
4.To mitigate transition risks...(移行リスクを軽減するため...)
5.We'll carry out the installation in...(...で設置を実施します)
6.We can accommodate your budget constraints in...(...で御社の予算制約に対応できます)
7.If you commit to...(...をお約束いただければ)

1-2 Essential words
1.demonstrate(実証する)
2.utilize(活用する)
3.detect(検知する)
4.considerable(かなりの)
5.elaborate(詳しく説明する)
6.mitigate(軽減する)
7.disturbed(妨げられる)
8.assign(配置する)
9.accommodate(対応する)
10.compensate(補償する)
2. Try  (3 min)|ロールプレイ練習

Let’s practice the role-play.

ロールプレイの練習をしましょう!

Situation / シチュエーション(Reference again)

Proposing product advantages, switching benefits, and migration support to overseas companies currently using competitor products for switching to our products.
現在競合他社製品を使用している海外企業に自社製品の優位性、切り替えメリット、移行サポートを提案する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Thank you for meeting with us today. We've been using your competitor's equipment for 5 years, and we need to understand why we should consider switching to your products now.
(本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございます。私たちは競合他社の機器を5年間使用しており、今なぜ御社の製品への切り替えを検討すべきなのか理解する必要があります。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
I appreciate the opportunity to present our solution. Let me demonstrate three key advantages. First, our latest model reduces energy consumption by 18 percent compared to your current equipment. Second, we utilize advanced sensor technology that detects potential defects 48 hours earlier. Third, our maintenance costs are 22 percent lower over a 5-year period.
(ご提案の機会をいただき感謝いたします。3つの主要な優位性を実証させてください。第一に、当社の最新モデルは現在お使いの機器と比較してエネルギー消費を18パーセント削減します。第二に、当社は潜在的な欠陥を48時間早く検知する先進的なセンサー技術を活用しています。第三に、当社の保守費用は5年間で22パーセント低くなります。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Those benefits sound considerable, but I'm concerned about the switching costs and risks. Could you elaborate on the total investment required and how you'll mitigate disruption during the transition?
(それらのメリットはかなり大きいようですが、切り替えコストとリスクが心配です。必要な総投資額と、移行中の混乱をどのように軽減するかについて詳しく説明していただけますか。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Understood. I've calculated the total investment at 340000 USD, which includes equipment, installation, and training. To mitigate transition risks, we'll carry out the installation in 3 phases over 8 weeks, so your production line won't be disturbed. We'll also assign 2 dedicated engineers to assist your team throughout the process. Our data shows that clients typically achieve full operational efficiency within 6 weeks.
(承知しました。機器、設置、トレーニングを含む総投資額を340000米ドルと算出しました。移行リスクを軽減するため、8週間かけて3段階で設置を実施しますので、生産ラインが妨げられることはありません。また、プロセス全体を通じて御社チームを支援する専任エンジニア2名を配置します。当社のデータでは、顧客は通常6週間以内に完全な運用効率を達成しています。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
The phased approach is helpful, but 340000 USD is a considerable amount. We need to submit this proposal to our board next month. Can you provide any flexibility on pricing or payment terms to make this more feasible for us?
(段階的なアプローチは有益ですが、340000米ドルはかなりの金額です。来月この提案を取締役会に提出する必要があります。これを私たちにとってより実現可能にするため、価格または支払条件について何か柔軟性を提供していただけますか。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Absolutely. We can accommodate your budget constraints in 2 ways. First, if you commit to a 3-year service contract, we'll reduce the equipment cost by 28000 USD. Second, we offer a payment plan where you pay 40 percent upfront and the remainder in 4 quarterly installments with no interest. This way, you can modernize your facility while managing cash flow effectively.
(もちろんです。2つの方法で御社の予算制約に対応できます。第一に、3年間のサービス契約をお約束いただければ、機器費用を28000米ドル削減します。第二に、40パーセントを前払いし、残額を無利息で4回の四半期分割払いとする支払プランを提供します。このようにして、キャッシュフローを効果的に管理しながら施設を近代化できます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
That pricing flexibility is quite persuasive. One final concern: what happens if we encounter technical issues after the switch? We can't afford extended downtime.
(その価格の柔軟性は非常に説得力があります。最後の懸念が1つあります。切り替え後に技術的問題が発生した場合はどうなりますか。長期のダウンタイムは許容できません。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
We take that concern seriously. Our service package includes 24-hour technical support with a 4-hour response time for critical issues. We'll also keep backup components at your facility for the first 12 months. If any defect occurs due to our equipment, we'll compensate you for production losses according to our service agreement. This ensures minimal risk to your operations.
(その懸念は真剣に受け止めます。当社のサービスパッケージには、重大な問題に対する4時間の応答時間を伴う24時間技術サポートが含まれています。また、最初の12か月間は御社施設にバックアップ部品を保管します。当社の機器に起因する欠陥が発生した場合、サービス契約に従って生産損失を補償します。これにより、御社の業務へのリスクが最小限に抑えられます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Your comprehensive support plan addresses our concerns effectively. I'll present this proposal to our board with a positive recommendation. Please send me the detailed documentation by the end of this week so we can proceed with the evaluation.
(御社の包括的なサポート計画は当社の懸念に効果的に対処しています。この提案を前向きな推薦とともに取締役会に提示します。評価を進められるよう、今週末までに詳細な資料を送ってください。)
3. Use  (4 min)|ロールプレイ & 実践(空欄補完)

Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

Situation / シチュエーション(Reference again)

Proposing product advantages, switching benefits, and migration support to overseas companies currently using competitor products for switching to our products.
現在競合他社製品を使用している海外企業に自社製品の優位性、切り替えメリット、移行サポートを提案する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Thank you for meeting with us today. We've been using your competitor's equipment for 5 years, and we need to understand why we should consider switching to your products now.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
I appreciate the opportunity to present our solution. Let me [実証する] three key advantages. First, our latest model reduces energy consumption by 18 percent compared to your current equipment. Second, we [活用する] advanced sensor technology that [検知する]s potential defects 48 hours earlier. Third, our maintenance costs are 22 percent lower over a 5-year period.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Those benefits sound considerable, but I'm concerned about the switching costs and risks. Could you elaborate on the total investment required and how you'll mitigate disruption during the transition?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Understood. I've calculated the total investment at 340000 USD, which includes equipment, installation, and training. To [軽減する] transition risks, we'll carry out the installation in 3 phases over 8 weeks, so your production line won't be [妨げられる]. We'll also [配置する] 2 dedicated engineers to assist your team throughout the process. Our data shows that clients typically achieve full operational efficiency within 6 weeks.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
The phased approach is helpful, but 340000 USD is a considerable amount. We need to submit this proposal to our board next month. Can you provide any flexibility on pricing or payment terms to make this more feasible for us?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Absolutely. We can [対応する] your budget constraints in 2 ways. First, if you commit to a 3-year service contract, we'll reduce the equipment cost by 28000 USD. Second, we offer a payment plan where you pay 40 percent upfront and the remainder in 4 quarterly installments with no interest. This way, you can modernize your facility while managing cash flow effectively.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
That pricing flexibility is quite persuasive. One final concern: what happens if we encounter technical issues after the switch? We can't afford extended downtime.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
We take that concern seriously. Our service package includes 24-hour technical support with a 4-hour response time for critical issues. We'll also keep backup components at your facility for the first 12 months. If any defect occurs due to our equipment, we'll [補償する] you for production losses according to our service agreement. This ensures minimal risk to your operations.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Your comprehensive support plan addresses our concerns effectively. I'll present this proposal to our board with a positive recommendation. Please send me the detailed documentation by the end of this week so we can proceed with the evaluation.
4. Challenge (7 min)|応用実践

Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

*Let's practice this part repeatedly until we can speak it smoothly.

  このパートはスムーズにスピーキングできるようになるまで繰り返し練習しましょう。

Situation / シチュエーション(Reference again)

Proposing product advantages, switching benefits, and migration support to overseas companies currently using competitor products for switching to our products.
現在競合他社製品を使用している海外企業に自社製品の優位性、切り替えメリット、移行サポートを提案する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Thank you for meeting with us today. We've been using your competitor's equipment for 5 years, and we need to understand why we should consider switching to your products now.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
I appreciate the opportunity to present our solution. [3つの主要な優位性を実証させてください。] First, our latest model reduces energy consumption by 18 percent compared to your current equipment. [第二に、当社は潜在的な欠陥を48時間早く検知する先進的なセンサー技術を活用しています。] Third, our maintenance costs are 22 percent lower over a 5-year period.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Those benefits sound considerable, but I'm concerned about the switching costs and risks. Could you elaborate on the total investment required and how you'll mitigate disruption during the transition?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Understood. [機器、設置、トレーニングを含む総投資額を340000米ドルと算出しました。] [移行リスクを軽減するため、8週間かけて3段階で設置を実施しますので、生産ラインが妨げられることはありません。] We'll also assign 2 dedicated engineers to assist your team throughout the process. Our data shows that clients typically achieve full operational efficiency within 6 weeks.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
The phased approach is helpful, but 340000 USD is a considerable amount. We need to submit this proposal to our board next month. Can you provide any flexibility on pricing or payment terms to make this more feasible for us?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Absolutely. [2つの方法で御社の予算制約に対応できます。] First, if you commit to a 3-year service contract, we'll reduce the equipment cost by 28000 USD. Second, we offer a payment plan where you pay 40 percent upfront and the remainder in 4 quarterly installments with no interest. This way, you can modernize your facility while managing cash flow effectively.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
That pricing flexibility is quite persuasive. One final concern: what happens if we encounter technical issues after the switch? We can't afford extended downtime.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
We take that concern seriously. Our service package includes 24-hour technical support with a 4-hour response time for critical issues. We'll also keep backup components at your facility for the first 12 months. If any defect occurs due to our equipment, we'll compensate you for production losses according to our service agreement. This ensures minimal risk to your operations.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Your comprehensive support plan addresses our concerns effectively. I'll present this proposal to our board with a positive recommendation. Please send me the detailed documentation by the end of this week so we can proceed with the evaluation.
\ If you have some extra capacity, give it a try(余力があればやってみましょう)/
5. Real-world application (5 min)|実務応用

Let's speak freely with the phrases and flow we learned today. If you can, imagine your real job—it makes practice more effective.
本日学習した単語やフレーズ、会話の流れを思い出しながら、自由に話してみましょう。可能であれば、自身の実務を想像しながら話すと効果的です。​

Situation / シチュエーション
You are proposing a switch from a competitor's equipment to your company's products to an overseas client.
The client is concerned about switching costs, transition risks, and post-switch technical support.
あなたは海外の顧客に対して、競合他社の機器から自社製品への切り替えを提案しています。
顧客は切り替えコスト、移行リスク、切り替え後の技術サポートについて懸念しています。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
We're interested in your proposal, but we need clear justification for switching from our current supplier. Can you walk us through the key advantages and how you'll support the transition?
(御社の提案に興味がありますが、現在のサプライヤーから切り替える明確な正当性が必要です。主要な優位性と移行をどのようにサポートするかを説明していただけますか。)

🧑‍🎓【Student / Your Role】:
(Free Speaking based on today's lesson)

Hints / ヒント
1. Demonstrate product advantages
2. Calculate total investment costs
3. Mitigate transition risks
4. Accommodate budget constraints
​※This is not a role-play. Please speak until you finish your thoughts.
 このパートはロールプレイ形式ではありません。最後まで通して話してみましょう。
6.  Wrap-up (2 min) |レッスンの振り返り

Let's review today's lesson with your teacher!
今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう!

 

6-1 Comments from student

・Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ
・Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ

 

6-2 Feedback from teacher

・Good points / 良かった点
・Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント
・What to review / 復習ポイント

 

*6-3 Questions from student (if any)

Japanese translation(日本語訳)

1. Read (2min)(型を学ぶ)|基本フレーズ

2. Try  (4min)(ロールプレイ練習)|型を使った練習
Let’s practice the role-play.
ロールプレイの練習をしましょう!

3. Use  (7min)|応用
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

4. Challenge (7min)|実践
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

5. Wrap-up (3min) – レッスンの振り返り

"Let’s review today’s lesson with your teacher!”

「今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう!」

5-1.  Comments from Student

  - Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ

  - Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ

5-2.  Feedback from Teacher

  - Good points / 良かった点

  - Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント

  - What to review / 復習ポイント

5-3. Question from Students (If any)

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