Yuka:
Hello, Mark. Are you busy on Thursday or Friday afternoon?
Mark:
Hi, Yuka. I’ve got an important presentation for one of my clients this Thursday, but I’ll be free on Friday. Is there something I can help you with?
Yuka:
I need to discuss the next sales promotion plan with Jim and Satoshi. I’d really appreciate your input. Do you think you’d be able to join us?
Mark:
Sure. What time do you plan to start?
Yuka:
How about 3 pm on Friday, in meeting room A?
Client:
Tom Brown, XYZ Corp. project team. How can I help you?
Yuka:
Hello, This is Yuka Kato from ABC Corp.
Client:
Hello, Ms. Kato. What can I do for you?
Yuka:
I would like to talk about the schedule for the upcoming project. Could we arrange a meeting for next week?
Client:
Of course. I’m available on Wednesday or Thursday afternoon.
Yuka:
Great. Then how does Thursday October 25th work for you? I can come to your office for 3 o’clock. I’ll also send you an agenda and the documents beforehand.
Client:
Sounds good. I look forward to seeing you.
Yuka:
I have to apologise, Ben. I know I said that I would submit the report to you by this Friday, but I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to make it.
Boss:
Really? What happened?
Yuka:
I’ve been so busy dealing with problems this week, mainly because of various faults that were found in our products. I just haven’t had enough time to collect the data for the report. I’m really sorry. I’m running way behind schedule.
Would it be possible to submit it to you by 1 pm next Tuesday?
Boss:
OK. But I’ll take that as a promise. Please don’t let me down.
まず、仕事が間に合わず予定を変更してもらうことを丁寧にお詫びしましょう。その後、理由を説明し、調整後の時間を提案します。明確に「1時までに」と期限を提案する時には”by 1 pm on Tuesday”を。「1時頃までに」と幅を持たせたい場合には”by around 1 pm on Tuesday”を使うこともできます。