top of page

<Elementary> Lesson No.7

Response to Product Customization Request from Overseas Customer / 海外顧客からの製品カスタマイズ要求への対応検討

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

Evaluating feasibility and costs for extensive customization requests from a major overseas customer.
海外大口顧客からの大幅なカスタマイズ要求の実現可能性とコストを検討する場面です。

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 explain our cost structure(コスト構造について説明させてください)
2.We need to modify our production line for...(...のために生産ラインを変更する必要がある)
3.Thank you for sharing your budget(予算をお知らせいただきありがとうございます)
4.We can offer a cost reduction plan if...(...であればコスト削減プランを提示できる)
5.This gradual approach allows us to...(この段階的なアプローチにより...できる)
6.Let me check with our production manager and...(生産マネージャーに確認して...)
7.We will send the updated proposal by...(...までに更新版の提案書をお送りする)

1-2 Essential words
1.explain(説明する)
2.increase(増加する)
3.reduce(削減する)
4.confirm(確認する)
5.gradual(段階的な)
6.improve(改善する)
7.mention(言及する)
8.detailed(詳細な)
9.receive(受け取る)
10.include(含む)
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)

Evaluating feasibility and costs for extensive customization requests from a major overseas customer.
海外大口顧客からの大幅なカスタマイズ要求の実現可能性とコストを検討する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Thank you for meeting with us today. We received your proposal for the customized power supply unit, but we need to discuss the cost and lead time in detail. Could you explain how you calculated the unit price of 850 USD?
(本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございます。カスタマイズ電源ユニットのご提案を拝見しましたが、コストと納期について詳しく話し合う必要があります。単価850 USDの算出方法を説明していただけますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Certainly. Let me explain our cost structure. First, the special voltage regulation circuit requires European-certified components, which increase material costs by 30 percent. Second, we need to modify our production line for your specifications. Third, the engineering team will conduct additional safety tests to meet your industry standards.
(承知しました。コスト構造について説明させてください。第一に、特殊な電圧調整回路にはヨーロッパ認証部品が必要で、材料費が30パーセント増加します。第二に、お客様の仕様に合わせて生産ラインを変更する必要があります。第三に、エンジニアリングチームが貴社の業界基準を満たすため追加の安全試験を実施します。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
I understand the technical requirements, but 850 USD is significantly higher than our budget of 650 USD per unit. We plan to order 5000 units annually. Can you reduce the cost to make this project work for both sides?
(技術要件は理解しましたが、850 USDは当社の予算である1台あたり650 USDを大幅に上回っています。年間5000台の発注を予定しています。双方にとってこのプロジェクトが成立するようコストを削減できますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Thank you for sharing your budget. We reviewed the numbers with our engineering and production teams. We can offer a cost reduction plan if you confirm a 3-year contract. We will reduce the unit price to 750 USD in year one, 720 USD in year two, and 690 USD in year three. This gradual approach allows us to improve our production efficiency over time.
(予算をお知らせいただきありがとうございます。エンジニアリングチームと生産チームで数字を検討しました。3年契約をご確認いただければ、コスト削減プランを提示できます。1年目は単価を750 USDに、2年目は720 USDに、3年目は690 USDに削減します。この段階的なアプローチにより、時間をかけて生産効率を改善できます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
That sounds more reasonable, but we are still concerned about the lead time. Your proposal mentions 16 weeks for the first batch. Our production schedule requires delivery within 12 weeks. Is it possible to speed up the process?
(それはより妥当に聞こえますが、納期についてまだ懸念があります。貴社の提案では最初のバッチに16週間とあります。当社の生産スケジュールでは12週間以内の納品が必要です。プロセスを早めることは可能ですか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
We understand your schedule is important. Let me check with our production manager and get back to you by tomorrow. However, I should mention that reducing the lead time may require additional resources, which could affect the unit price. We will prepare a detailed timeline and cost estimate for the 12-week option.
(貴社のスケジュールが重要であることは理解しています。生産マネージャーに確認して明日までにご連絡いたします。ただし、納期を短縮するには追加のリソースが必要になる可能性があり、単価に影響する場合があることをお伝えしておきます。12週間オプションの詳細なタイムラインとコスト見積もりを準備いたします。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
I appreciate your flexibility. Please send us the updated proposal with the 3-year pricing plan and the 12-week lead time option. We need to review it with our management team before making a final decision. When can we expect to receive the document?
(柔軟にご対応いただき感謝します。3年間の価格プランと12週間納期オプションを含む更新版の提案書を送ってください。最終決定の前に経営陣と検討する必要があります。いつ資料を受け取れる見込みでしょうか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
We will send the updated proposal by the end of this week. The document will include the cost breakdown, production timeline, and quality assurance plan. If you have any questions after reviewing it, please feel free to contact me directly. We look forward to working with your team on this project.
(今週末までに更新版の提案書をお送りします。資料にはコストの内訳、生産タイムライン、品質保証計画が含まれます。ご検討後にご質問があれば、直接ご連絡ください。このプロジェクトで貴社チームと協力できることを楽しみにしています。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Perfect. We will wait for your proposal and schedule a follow-up meeting next week to discuss the details. Thank you for your time today.
(完璧です。提案書をお待ちして、来週詳細を話し合うフォローアップミーティングを予定します。本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございました。)
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)

Evaluating feasibility and costs for extensive customization requests from a major overseas customer.
海外大口顧客からの大幅なカスタマイズ要求の実現可能性とコストを検討する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Thank you for meeting with us today. We received your proposal for the customized power supply unit, but we need to discuss the cost and lead time in detail. Could you explain how you calculated the unit price of 850 USD?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Certainly. Let me [説明する] our cost structure. First, the special voltage regulation circuit requires European-certified components, which [増加する] material costs by 30 percent. Second, we need to modify our production line for your specifications. Third, the engineering team will conduct additional safety tests to meet your industry standards.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
I understand the technical requirements, but 850 USD is significantly higher than our budget of 650 USD per unit. We plan to order 5000 units annually. Can you reduce the cost to make this project work for both sides?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Thank you for sharing your budget. We reviewed the numbers with our engineering and production teams. We can offer a cost reduction plan if you [確認する] a 3-year contract. We will [削減する] the unit price to 750 USD in year one, 720 USD in year two, and 690 USD in year three. This [段階的な] approach allows us to [改善する] our production efficiency over time.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
That sounds more reasonable, but we are still concerned about the lead time. Your proposal mentions 16 weeks for the first batch. Our production schedule requires delivery within 12 weeks. Is it possible to speed up the process?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
We understand your schedule is important. Let me check with our production manager and get back to you by tomorrow. However, I should [言及する] that reducing the lead time may require additional resources, which could affect the unit price. We will prepare a [詳細な] timeline and cost estimate for the 12-week option.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
I appreciate your flexibility. Please send us the updated proposal with the 3-year pricing plan and the 12-week lead time option. We need to review it with our management team before making a final decision. When can we expect to receive the document?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
We will send the updated proposal by the end of this week. The document will [含む] the cost breakdown, production timeline, and quality assurance plan. If you have any questions after reviewing it, please feel free to contact me directly. We look forward to working with your team on this project.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Perfect. We will wait for your proposal and schedule a follow-up meeting next week to discuss the details. Thank you for your time today.
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)

Evaluating feasibility and costs for extensive customization requests from a major overseas customer.
海外大口顧客からの大幅なカスタマイズ要求の実現可能性とコストを検討する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Thank you for meeting with us today. We received your proposal for the customized power supply unit, but we need to discuss the cost and lead time in detail. Could you explain how you calculated the unit price of 850 USD?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
Certainly. [コスト構造について説明させてください。] First, the special voltage regulation circuit requires European-certified components, which increase material costs by 30 percent. Second, we need to modify our production line for your specifications. Third, the engineering team will conduct additional safety tests to meet your industry standards.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
I understand the technical requirements, but 850 USD is significantly higher than our budget of 650 USD per unit. We plan to order 5000 units annually. Can you reduce the cost to make this project work for both sides?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
[予算をお知らせいただきありがとうございます。] We reviewed the numbers with our engineering and production teams. [3年契約をご確認いただければ、コスト削減プランを提示できます。] We will reduce the unit price to 750 USD in year one, 720 USD in year two, and 690 USD in year three. [この段階的なアプローチにより、時間をかけて生産効率を改善できます。]

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
That sounds more reasonable, but we are still concerned about the lead time. Your proposal mentions 16 weeks for the first batch. Our production schedule requires delivery within 12 weeks. Is it possible to speed up the process?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
We understand your schedule is important. Let me check with our production manager and get back to you by tomorrow. However, I should mention that reducing the lead time may require additional resources, which could affect the unit price. We will prepare a detailed timeline and cost estimate for the 12-week option.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
I appreciate your flexibility. Please send us the updated proposal with the 3-year pricing plan and the 12-week lead time option. We need to review it with our management team before making a final decision. When can we expect to receive the document?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Sales Representative】:
We will send the updated proposal by the end of this week. The document will include the cost breakdown, production timeline, and quality assurance plan. If you have any questions after reviewing it, please feel free to contact me directly. We look forward to working with your team on this project.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
Perfect. We will wait for your proposal and schedule a follow-up meeting next week to discuss the details. Thank you for your time today.
\ 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 major overseas customer requests extensive customization of a standard power supply unit.
The customer needs detailed information about feasibility, cost, and delivery schedule.
海外の大口顧客が標準電源ユニットの大幅なカスタマイズを要求している。
顧客は実現可能性、コスト、納期について詳細な情報を必要としている。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Procurement Manager】:
We are very interested in your customized solution, but we need you to explain the pricing structure and delivery options clearly. Can you walk us through the details?
(貴社のカスタマイズソリューションに大変興味がありますが、価格構造と納品オプションを明確に説明していただく必要があります。詳細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.Explain the cost structure(コスト構造を説明する)
2.Offer a cost reduction plan(コスト削減プランを提示する)
3.Mention additional requirements(追加要件に言及する)
4.Prepare detailed estimates(詳細な見積もりを準備する)
​※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)

bottom of page