Project 1
You are going to interview a business person
(Select from the list or maybe you already know someone?)

• The people may be small entrepreneurs (PME) or executives in a big company (G.E) .
• If you call a big company , ask the receptionist for the contact person (see addresses).
• If no contact name is given, ask if anyone speaks French in the company,
• Failing this ask to speak to the director's secretary.
• The big companies selected all are subsidiaries of French or  French-speaking countries  (Belgium, Quebec, The Carribean, Africa...) in the KY or TN area.
• Try to get hold of a French native or of a person who speaks French in the company and is dealing with the French market or the head office of the parent company.

Objectives
      The aim of this exercise is to provide you with an opportunity to communicate in French, in
      an authentic business context.
      See  guidelines below.
      Your written report should be accompanied by some illustrations and will be published on
      this   French for the Professions   site.

TIP: You should tell  the person that you would like to speak some French but will probably move on to English when you need to, because you are only in your 2nd year of French.  People will be happy that you are willing to make the effort to speak some French [introductions, politeness (merci, aurevoir Monsieur/ Madame etc..), basic questions (asking for information etc..) ] and will generally be very accommodating.

Interview and written report due: 7 March 2002
1.  Oral report (2-5 min) in French, in class
2.  One page max. written report (include literature from the person & company if  possible
e.g. business card, brochure,..ad...)

• Guidelines

I. Call and arrange a visit

1. Call first and introduce yourself in French.
2. Follow politeness guidelines on the telephone: see modules 1 & 2 (course packet)
3. Explain the purpose of your call (in French) (see TEST 1)
4. Set up an appointment on the phone (or in person if possible) to  interview the person.

 II. Purpose of your call = class project French for the Professions at MSU with
Dr. Thérèse Saint Paul

            =  a report of French-speakers who work in area (will be placed on course web site)
            =  information about person & company
            =  information about the cultural differences between French and US styles of work/ life
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

             III. Questionnaire
1.Nom  de la personne?
2.Nom de l'entreprise/de la société?   Est-ce une filiale d'une société française?

                                                                        Où est la maison - mère? etc.

3.Secteur d'activité? ex. De quel type d'entreprise s'agit -il?

                         Service? Industrie? (Fabrication? Produit?)  Autre?

4.Fonction de la personne?

Quel travail faites-vous? Que faites-vous?

5.Histoire de l'entreprise?

Depuis quand est-ce qu'elle existe? Combien y-a-t-il d'employés/d'effectifs?

6.Les clients?  Quels sont vos clients? Ou sont vos client

Vos clients sont au KY/ TN?  dans d'autres états?  Lesquels?Vous avez des clients dans d'autres pays? Lesquels?

 7. Remarques sur les différences interculturelles (France-USA)

 
      Rappel: Les PME ont un directeur; les G.E ont un PDG.
      Le patron/la patronne (owner)

do not forget to ask for the person's direct telephone number and if they can send you their card and some literature (de la documentation sur l'entreprise e.g. une brochure etc.)