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5.Patricia ____ an interesting suggestion at the meeting.
6.If we don’t come up with new products, we ____ the risk of falling behind our competitors.
7.Our chairman is too old for the job. Some of the directors have ____ pressure on him to resign.
8.The writer has ____ some recommendations in his report.
9.What conclusions have you ____ from the facts given in his letter?
10.I have ____ a great deal of thought to our financial problems.
11.After five hours’ negotiation, we finally ____ agreement.
12.I don’t want to ____ action until I’ve heard everyone’s opinion.
5. Complete the following passage with the correct forms of the following words: arise(v) rise(n) rise(v) raise(v)
A serious problem has (1)____ in my company. Because the cost of living (2)____
by 6 % last year, management decided to (3)____ the salaries of all the staff. For this reason, they gave everyone a (4)____ of $10 a week. However, later on, they had to pay for this by (5)____ the prices of all our products by 10 %. Such a large (6)____ in prices made out products uncompetitive. So now, management is talking of lowering our salaries again.
6.Translate the following text into English
Влюбом бизнесе необходимо, чтобы менеджеры работали эффективно. Эффективность зависит от следующих умений:
- умения избавляться от непродуктивной, занимающей много времени деятельности. Менеджер должен научиться говорить “нет” людям, требующим его внимания по незначительным вопросам; - умения передавать полномочия, касающиеся повседневных проблем, своим
подчиненным. Важно побуждать людей вносить свой вклад в работу предприятия. Менеджеру необходимо больше времени, чтобы сосредоточиться на более важных задачах; - умения эффективно распоряжаться своим рабочим временем. Менеджеру
необходимо составлять список работ, которые должны быть выполнены в течение, например, недели, и распределять их в порядке необходимости. (list the tasks in order of priorities). Кроме того, необходимо назначать крайние сроки (set deadlines) для выполнения этих задач.
Такой рациональный подход к работе пойдёт на пользу и предприятию, и самому руководителю.
7.The use of the verbs make and do often causes difficulties.
We use do: 1. to talk about activities without mentioning what they are.
2.to talk about work or task.
3.with a determiner ( e.g. the , some) + ing
We use make: 1. to talk about creating or constructing.
2.with nouns connected with talking about sounds.
3.with nouns connected with travel.
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There are many other expressions with make and do which do not follow these guidelines. It is best to learn them or use a dictionary.
Do – good, your best, harm, (someone) a favour
Make – an appointment, a choice, a start, arrangements, money, an attempt, progress
Which of the following words are used with ‘do’, and which with ‘make’?
1.a suggestion |
11. a job |
21. an offer |
2. nothing |
12. good |
22. damage or harm |
3. an exam |
13. research |
23. certain or sure |
4. business |
14. progress |
24. an experiment |
5. a speech |
15. choice |
25. the accounts |
6. a loss |
16. a forecast |
26. an excuse |
7. a trip |
17. an appointment |
27. decision |
8. your best |
18. an effort |
28. a phone call |
9. the typing |
19. profit |
29. changes |
10. money |
20. a deal |
30. repairs |
8.Complete the following sentences with the correct form of either ‘do’ or ‘make’, and one of the words given above. Translate them into Russian.
1.Janine, can you try to ____ me ____ with my dentist for this afternoon, please?
2.Michael, can you ____ me ____? I need to borrow a car.
3.No, we don’t know what went wrong yet, but we’re ____ some _____ .
4.He said I wasn’t working hard enough and I’d really have to ____ an ____ .
5.I can’t tell you now, but we expect to ____ a ____ early next week.
6.We’re ____ much ____ than last year; we’re definitely ____ progress.
7.We spent three days ____ to the warehouse roof after the storm last week.
8.We ____ a lot of ____ in Japan, and since the profit margin is high, we ____ a lot of ____ .
9.I checked the figures last night and found that I’d ____ a lot of ____ .
10.It’s either one or the other. You’ll have to ____ a ____ .
11.Have you had to ____ a ____ in front of an audience?
12.What is the longest ____ you’ve ever ____ to a foreign country?
13.Have you ever ____ a ____ about poor quality of something you bought?
14.Is complaining useful? Do you think it ____ any ____ ?
15.Have you ever ____ any ____ about customer service could be improved?
16.What ____ have you ____ for the next summer holidays?
Reading-Listening - 2 / Business analysis and decision-making /
Read the internal report about the investment which has gone wrong. After you have read it, discuss the questions below.
Manx Office Equipment.
Confidential report
Acquisition of Gordon brown Ltd.
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Background
Two years ago Gordon Brown Ltd was acquired for 2.5 million pounds. Gordon Brown Ltd had been a family company specializing in supplying office furniture in the North East of England. Manx Office Equipment saw this acquisition as an effective way to extend their customer base in this part of the country.
Results
After two years, the Gordon Brown operation has still not made a profit (last year’s figures reveal a 250,000 pounds loss). Despite considerable restructuring and a complete change of management, the company has seen a steady decline in the number of customers and volume of business.
Analysis
We have identified the following:
1.Gordon Brown’s reputation in the region was as a family company. The restructuring changed not only the senior management but also the ethos of the company. Customers no longer identified with the company.
2.Gordon Brown products were mainly traditional office furniture; Manx office equipment is predominantly modern style. There has been no clear product strategy to promote these two different styles.
Conclusions
1.If our objective was to increase our customer base in the North East of England, we should have considered the needs and demands of Gordon Brown’s customers.
2.If we want to turn the company round and start earning profits, we will have to pay more attention to customer needs in the future.
Listen to the tape and discuss the options and possible outcomes of the situation with the Gordon Brown Ltd in the context of their business.
1.Diversification into different sectors.
2.Expansion into new markets.
3.Relocation of part of the business (production / head office etc.).
4.Acquisition by a larger company.
5.Closure of part of the business due to contraction.
Communication skills
Asking for the facts
Can you bring us to the date? Can you give us the background? Where do we stand with?
Making a suggestion
We should sell out as soon as possible
Why don’t we sell out?
Disagreeing
I don’t agree with that all.
I totally disagree.
Agreeing
You’re absolutely right.
I totally agree with you.
Expressing doubt
I’m worried about the store’s location I’m not sure about it.
Making a decision
The solution, then, is to keep the store going.
I think on balance we feel we should keep the store going.
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Identifying needs
We’ve got to get more information. We need more information about…
Stating future actions
So, the next thing to do is
What we’ve got to do now is ….
Case study Texan Chicken: Work out a strategy to save a failing fast food company
Background
Texan Chicken was founded by Eva and Ramon Martinez. They have had no previous experience in the restaurant industry. They opened their first restaurant in West London, and within five years had built up a chain of 40 outlets, using a franchising system.
The reason for their success was the quality of their product. Their delicious fried chicken was based on a recipe that Ramon had discovered when traveling in Texas.
It was served with a sauce which varied from mild to very hot, depending on the customer’s taste. All the restaurants offered a take-out service, which was popular with customers.
When Texan Chicken went public the share price rose by 120% within a week.
There seemed to be no limit to Texan Chicken’s profits and expansion.
Unfortunately the company’s share price has fallen recently by over 80 %. There has also been a strong pressure on Eva and Ramon Martinez to resign as co-chairmen of the business. At present, they own 40 % of the shares. The other major shareholder is a South African businessman, Martin Webb, who own 12 %. Eva and Ramon Martinez have called in a team of management consultants to advise them on their future strategy.
Listen to this interview on Business News, a daily radio program in which experts comment on topical business items. Note down four problems facing the business.
Texan Chicken recently did a survey to find out what its customers thought about its restaurants. Here are the results.
Consumer survey (summary) |
|
||
Customers |
|
|
|
Age |
18 – 30 |
58 % |
|
|
30 – 40 |
32 % |
|
|
40+ |
10 % |
|
Sex |
Male |
54 % |
|
|
Female |
46 % |
|
Status |
Single |
|
65 % |
|
Married, no children |
23 % |
|
|
Married, with children |
12 % |
|
60
First visit |
8 % |
More than once a week |
5 % |
Once a week to once a fortnight |
29 % |
1.Quarter chicken, salad and rice
2.Chicken breast burger
Customers’ opinions (%) |
|
|
|
|
Good |
OK |
poor |
Quality / freshness of food |
40 |
50 |
10 |
Value for money |
10 |
30 |
60 |
Service |
8 |
38 |
54 |
Cleanliness |
5 |
14 |
80 |
Friendliness of staff |
24 |
48 |
28 |
Decor |
1 |
34 |
65 |
You are members of the management consultant team called in by Eva and Ramon Martinez to advise them on their future strategy. Discuss the options below. Consider any other ideas for improving profitability. Work out a plan of actions which will turn the company round.
The following options will be discussed by the management consultants at their next meeting.
1.Persuade Eva and Ramon Martinez to resign. Appoint a new Chief Executive with extensive experience of franchising in the food industry.
2.Seek opportunities to merge with a large fast food company which could offer management expertise and financial resources.
3.Improve profits by expanding in Europe through joint ventures. A German supermarket chain has already shown interest in such a venture.
4.Make major changes in the business. For example:
a)Have more company-owned outlets. This would give greater control over the restaurants.
b)Offer special promotions (e.g. huge discounts on certain meals).
c)Launch a major advertising campaign.
Words to remember:
deficiency – ошибка, недостаток
to accomplish the task – выполнить задачу
to contribute to – вносить вклад, содействовать