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<Upper-Intermediate> Lesson No.31

Technical Consulting Services for International Customers / 海外顧客への技術コンサルティング提供

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

Providing technical consulting services to overseas customers facing technical challenges requiring specialized expertise.
技術的課題を抱える海外顧客に専門知識を活用したコンサルティングサービスを提供する場面です。

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 assess...(...を評価させてください)
2.I can propose a three-phase...(3段階の...を提案できます)
3.We'll carry out detailed...(詳細な...を実施します)
4.We'll modify your...(貴社の...を修正します)
5.Let me elaborate on...(...について詳しく説明させてください)
6.We can accomplish all three phases within...(3段階すべてを...以内に達成できます)
7.We commit to achieving...(...を達成することを約束します)

1-2 Essential words
1.assist(手伝う)
2.assess(評価する)
3.detect(検出する)
4.enhance(強化する)
5.validate(検証する)
6.elaborate(詳しく説明する)
7.accomplish(達成する)
8.eliminate(解消する)
9.commit(約束する)
10.coordinate(調整する)
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)

Providing technical consulting services to overseas customers facing technical challenges requiring specialized expertise.
技術的課題を抱える海外顧客に専門知識を活用したコンサルティングサービスを提供する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
Thank you for coming today. We've been struggling with thermal management issues in our new product line, and we need expert guidance to resolve this quickly.
(本日はお越しいただきありがとうございます。新製品ラインで熱管理の問題に苦しんでおり、これを迅速に解決するための専門的な指導が必要です。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
I appreciate the opportunity to assist you. Let me first assess your current situation. Could you describe the specific thermal issues you're facing and how they affect your production timeline?
(お手伝いする機会をいただき感謝いたします。まず現在の状況を評価させてください。直面している具体的な熱の問題と、それが生産スケジュールにどう影響しているかを説明していただけますか?)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
Our components overheat during continuous operation, causing unexpected shutdowns. This has delayed our product launch by 2 months already, and we're concerned about further setbacks.
(部品が連続運転中に過熱し、予期しないシャットダウンを引き起こしています。これによりすでに製品発売が2か月遅れており、さらなる遅延を懸念しています。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
I understand your concern. Based on similar cases, I can propose a three-phase consulting approach. First, we'll carry out detailed thermal analysis to detect the root cause. Second, we'll modify your cooling design to enhance heat dissipation. Third, we'll monitor the improved system under actual operating conditions to validate the solution.
(ご懸念は理解いたしました。類似事例に基づき、3段階のコンサルティングアプローチを提案できます。第一に、根本原因を検出するため詳細な熱解析を実施します。第二に、放熱を強化するため冷却設計を修正します。第三に、解決策を検証するため実際の運転条件下で改善されたシステムを監視します。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
That sounds comprehensive, but what about the cost and timeline? We need to launch within 3 months, and our budget is limited to 50000 USD for this consulting service.
(それは包括的に聞こえますが、費用とスケジュールはどうでしょうか?3か月以内に発売する必要があり、このコンサルティングサービスの予算は50000米ドルに限られています。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
Let me elaborate on the cost breakdown. The analysis phase requires 15000 USD, design modification 25000 USD, and validation 10000 USD, totaling exactly 50000 USD. Regarding timeline, we can accomplish all three phases within 10 weeks if we proceed immediately. This leaves you 2 weeks buffer before your launch deadline. However, any postponement of our start date will reduce this buffer and increase the likelihood of missing your target.
(費用の内訳について詳しく説明させてください。解析段階には15000米ドル、設計修正に25000米ドル、検証に10000米ドルが必要で、合計ちょうど50000米ドルです。スケジュールに関しては、直ちに進めれば3段階すべてを10週間以内に達成できます。これにより発売期限の2週間前に余裕が残ります。ただし、開始日を延期すると、この余裕が減り、目標を逃す可能性が高まります。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
The timeline is tight but acceptable. One more question: what if the proposed solution doesn't eliminate the overheating problem completely? Do you offer any guarantee?
(スケジュールは厳しいですが許容範囲です。もう1つ質問があります。提案された解決策が過熱問題を完全に解消しない場合はどうなりますか?何か保証はありますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
That's a valid concern. We commit to achieving at least a 15 degrees Celsius reduction in peak operating temperature, which our assessment indicates will stabilize your system. If we fail to reach this target, we'll continue the modification phase at no additional cost until the objective is met. Additionally, we'll provide 3 months of follow-up monitoring after project completion to ensure long-term stability.
(それは妥当な懸念です。私たちは、ピーク動作温度を少なくとも15度下げることを約束します。これにより、評価ではシステムが安定すると示されています。この目標に達しない場合、追加費用なしで目的が達成されるまで修正段階を継続します。さらに、長期的な安定性を確保するため、プロジェクト完了後3か月間のフォローアップ監視を提供します。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
I appreciate your commitment to results. How do we coordinate the work with our internal engineering team? They'll need to be involved throughout the process.
(結果へのコミットメントに感謝します。社内のエンジニアリングチームとどのように作業を調整しますか?彼らはプロセス全体を通じて関与する必要があります。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
Absolutely. We'll collaborate closely with your team at every phase. We'll assign a dedicated project coordinator who will communicate daily progress updates and consult with your engineers on all design decisions. Weekly review meetings will ensure everyone stays aligned. Your team's input is critical for us to modify the solution to fit your specific manufacturing constraints and facility requirements.
(もちろんです。各段階でチームと緊密に協力します。毎日の進捗状況を伝え、すべての設計決定について貴社のエンジニアと相談する専任のプロジェクトコーディネーターを割り当てます。週次レビュー会議により、全員が足並みをそろえられます。貴社の特定の製造上の制約と施設要件に合わせて解決策を修正するには、チームの意見が不可欠です。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
Excellent. Your proposal addresses all our concerns. I'm ready to proceed with this consulting engagement. When can you start, and what do you need from us to begin immediately?
(素晴らしい。提案は私たちの懸念すべてに対応しています。このコンサルティング契約を進める準備ができました。いつ開始できますか?また、直ちに始めるために私たちから何が必要ですか?)
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)

Providing technical consulting services to overseas customers facing technical challenges requiring specialized expertise.
技術的課題を抱える海外顧客に専門知識を活用したコンサルティングサービスを提供する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
Thank you for coming today. We've been struggling with thermal management issues in our new product line, and we need expert guidance to resolve this quickly.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
I appreciate the opportunity to [手伝う] you. Let me first [評価する] your current situation. Could you describe the specific thermal issues you're facing and how they affect your production timeline?

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
Our components overheat during continuous operation, causing unexpected shutdowns. This has delayed our product launch by 2 months already, and we're concerned about further setbacks.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
I understand your concern. Based on similar cases, I can propose a three-phase consulting approach. First, we'll carry out detailed thermal analysis to [検出する] the root cause. Second, we'll modify your cooling design to [強化する] heat dissipation. Third, we'll monitor the improved system under actual operating conditions to [検証する] the solution.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
That sounds comprehensive, but what about the cost and timeline? We need to launch within 3 months, and our budget is limited to 50000 USD for this consulting service.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
Let me [詳しく説明する] on the cost breakdown. The analysis phase requires 15000 USD, design modification 25000 USD, and validation 10000 USD, totaling exactly 50000 USD. Regarding timeline, we can [達成する] all three phases within 10 weeks if we proceed immediately. This leaves you 2 weeks buffer before your launch deadline. However, any postponement of our start date will reduce this buffer and increase the likelihood of missing your target.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
The timeline is tight but acceptable. One more question: what if the proposed solution doesn't eliminate the overheating problem completely? Do you offer any guarantee?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
That's a valid concern. We [約束する] to achieving at least a 15 degrees Celsius reduction in peak operating temperature, which our assessment indicates will stabilize your system. If we fail to reach this target, we'll continue the modification phase at no additional cost until the objective is met. Additionally, we'll provide 3 months of follow-up monitoring after project completion to ensure long-term stability.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
I appreciate your commitment to results. How do we coordinate the work with our internal engineering team? They'll need to be involved throughout the process.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
Absolutely. We'll collaborate closely with your team at every phase. We'll assign a dedicated project coordinator who will communicate daily progress updates and consult with your engineers on all design decisions. Weekly review meetings will ensure everyone stays aligned. Your team's input is critical for us to modify the solution to fit your specific manufacturing constraints and facility requirements.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
Excellent. Your proposal addresses all our concerns. I'm ready to proceed with this consulting engagement. When can you start, and what do you need from us to begin immediately?
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)

Providing technical consulting services to overseas customers facing technical challenges requiring specialized expertise.
技術的課題を抱える海外顧客に専門知識を活用したコンサルティングサービスを提供する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
Thank you for coming today. We've been struggling with thermal management issues in our new product line, and we need expert guidance to resolve this quickly.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
I appreciate the opportunity to assist you. [まず現在の状況を評価させてください。] Could you describe the specific thermal issues you're facing and how they affect your production timeline?

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
Our components overheat during continuous operation, causing unexpected shutdowns. This has delayed our product launch by 2 months already, and we're concerned about further setbacks.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
I understand your concern. Based on similar cases, [3段階のコンサルティングアプローチを提案できます。] First, we'll carry out detailed thermal analysis to detect the root cause. Second, we'll modify your cooling design to enhance heat dissipation. Third, we'll monitor the improved system under actual operating conditions to validate the solution.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
That sounds comprehensive, but what about the cost and timeline? We need to launch within 3 months, and our budget is limited to 50000 USD for this consulting service.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
[費用の内訳について詳しく説明させてください。] The analysis phase requires 15000 USD, design modification 25000 USD, and validation 10000 USD, totaling exactly 50000 USD. Regarding timeline, [直ちに進めれば3段階すべてを10週間以内に達成できます。] This leaves you 2 weeks buffer before your launch deadline. However, any postponement of our start date will reduce this buffer and increase the likelihood of missing your target.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
The timeline is tight but acceptable. One more question: what if the proposed solution doesn't eliminate the overheating problem completely? Do you offer any guarantee?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
That's a valid concern. We commit to achieving at least a 15 degrees Celsius reduction in peak operating temperature, which our assessment indicates will stabilize your system. If we fail to reach this target, we'll continue the modification phase at no additional cost until the objective is met. Additionally, we'll provide 3 months of follow-up monitoring after project completion to ensure long-term stability.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
I appreciate your commitment to results. How do we coordinate the work with our internal engineering team? They'll need to be involved throughout the process.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Consulting Engineer】:
Absolutely. We'll collaborate closely with your team at every phase. We'll assign a dedicated project coordinator who will communicate daily progress updates and consult with your engineers on all design decisions. Weekly review meetings will ensure everyone stays aligned. Your team's input is critical for us to modify the solution to fit your specific manufacturing constraints and facility requirements.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
Excellent. Your proposal addresses all our concerns. I'm ready to proceed with this consulting engagement. When can you start, and what do you need from us to begin immediately?
\ 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
A client is facing thermal management issues in their new product line and needs expert consulting to resolve the problem quickly.
The consulting engineer must explain the analysis approach, proposed solution, cost breakdown, timeline, and guarantee to help the client make a decision.
顧客が新製品ラインで熱管理の問題に直面しており、問題を迅速に解決するための専門的なコンサルティングを必要としている。
コンサルティングエンジニアは、顧客が決定を下せるよう、解析アプローチ、提案された解決策、費用の内訳、スケジュール、保証について説明しなければならない。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Client Technical Manager】:
We're struggling with a critical technical issue that's delaying our product launch. Can you explain how your consulting service can help us resolve this problem within our budget and timeline?
(重大な技術的問題に苦しんでおり、製品発売が遅れています。貴社のコンサルティングサービスが、予算とスケジュール内でこの問題を解決するのにどう役立つか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. Assess the current technical situation
2. Propose a structured consulting approach
3. Elaborate on cost and timeline details
4. Commit to specific performance targets
​※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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