This is the second part of the meeting. Listen to it a couple of times and then put the letter of the corresponding words/phrases in the blanks below.

a. short notice      b. afloat
c. awful               d. lay off
e. pick up            f. renegotiate
g. storage            h. downward

.... Fiona may have to (1) staff within the next 2 or 3 months. Kira reports that if we don't start selling more suitcases and packing crates she is going to be looking at replacing a few staff.

OPINIONS: Michael believes that business will (2) . Contrary to this Tom thinks the figures indicate a (3) trend. If the Hong Kong office fails to fulfill its contract the Guangzhou plant could ask for compensation. But Michael thinks Fiona is exaggerating and always turning everying into a crisis. Kira insists the sales figures must increase ... and quickly.

SOLUTIONS: Solutions suggested by Michael are to: (4) and take 200 cases per month instead of 500 cases. Kira's final decision is to not renegotiate the contract. Possible sales include Canadian airlines with 60 crates at $615 dollars each, and the KCR with 77 crates at $717 dollars each.

FINANCIAL STATUS: The financial situation of the company is not good. The current account balance is $212000 dollars with $22000 dollars in outstanding checks so the actual number is just under $200000 dollars.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN: Michael must complete those deals and Tom must email weekly reports to Kira.weekly reports

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