Unit 1

Amitava Chattopadhyay says that companies need to pay careful attention to they manufacture their products.

that

which

who

where fashion label outside the top super-luxury brands is either already manufacturing in Aasia or thinking of it.

Almost everyMost every

Almost

Nearly

Our product includes tables, chairs and cupboards.

group

pack

package

portfolioTTI said it was sensible to increase its production in low- markets where it was closer to some of its major customers.

price

cost

expense

charge

With trade barriers falling, fashion houses were rushing to move production .

faraway

offset

offshoreforeign

Fast-moving . goods, such as fresh food, have to be sold quickly.

customer

buyer

client

consumer

Big brands tend to squeeze small, independent businesses.

outin

up

into

The Asian consumer really does believe that luxury comes from Europe and must be made there the best.

being

is

be

to beThe Made in Italy label is important but what we are really offering a style, and style is an expression of culture.

isto be

be

being

Renewing Sanyos Japanese licence means that almost half of Burberrys sales at retail value will continue under licence in Asia.

producing

produce

be produce

to be producedBig brands tend to squeeze small, independent businesses.

outin

up

into

FillBlank

Brand l(oyalty/loyalty) is the tendency to always buy a particular brand.

Almost half of Burberry's sales at retail value will continue to be produced under l(icence/licence) in Asia.

If a product is d(urable/durable), it is able to last a long time without becoming damaged.

The iDrive audio system in the 740 is top of the r(ange/range) and incorporates the latest features to provide a rich audio experience.

A market s(egment/segment) is a group of customers of similar age, income level and social class.

The market f(ollower/follower) is the second best selling product or brand.

Product lifecycle consists of introduction, growth, m(aturity/maturity) and decline.

Unit 2

There was a on the way to the airport as there was an accident on the freeway.

postpone

delaylateness

traffic

If something is , it is the best and most likely to bring success and advantage.

optimumdisruptive

orienting

frustrating

As the industry faces what may be a prolonged passenger decline, analysts say companies are under greater pressure to travelers' concerns.

care

supply

provide

addressThe psychology of air rage is a new of study.arearegion

location

sector

Some air rage incidents are caused by problems which are familiar many regular travelers.

for

about

toon

Ahlberg has long understood that busy executives cannot afford time in traffic jams as they try to reach city centre venues.

waste

to wastewasted

wasting

Executive do not particularly enjoy getting up at to catch an early morning flight.

dawnmorning

early

sunset

analysts of the phenomenon blame alcohol, but many people now think that the airlines are at fault.

Almost

Most

Most of

Most the

If something is , it is continuing for too long and therefore boring or annoying.

apparent

interminableintermittent

legislative

There is increasing concern in the US about another cost-cutting , which could seriously harm passengers health: cabin ventilation.

exercise

doing

work

apply

FillBlank

A c(ancellation/cancellation) is a decision to stop something that has already been arranged from happening.

City center is downtown in American English.

Economy class is coach class in American English.

If you make a r(ound/round) trip, you go on a journey and return to where you started from.

The bank holiday weekend was a nightmare from start to f(inish/finish).

Next year, our product r(ange/range) will include hats and shoes.

Unrest means the disagreements or fighting between different groups of people.

A convict is someone who is in prison because they are guilty of a crime. Cabin and flight crews, who are in the front line of the battle against disruptive and dangerous in-flight behavior, have called for stiffer penalties against the offenders.

To cram means to force a lot of things into a small space, or to do many things in a short period of time.

Legislation is a law or set of laws suggested by a government and made official by a parliament.

Concession is something which is allowed or given up, often in order to end a disagreement, or the act of allowing or giving this.

Unit 3

10. in a quiet neighbourhood in central Da Nang, the local Cao Dai temple is worth a quick visit.

Location

LocatedTo locate

Locative

It is only clearer now that true reform is necessary torules and regulations that inhibit competition.

affirm

abash

abolishabase

The team achieved a very substantial change in culture by being very clear at the that it was creating a new and different culture from the two companies that merged.

begin

first

outset

setting

The new computer virus could all the data off your hard disk.

swap

wipediscard

spite

They are starting a new of negotiations with ABC Steelworks next month.

circle

roundschedule

roundabout

Many organizations talk about doing more business electronically, implementing cost-cutting .and improving efficiency.

methodologies

measuresmeans

ways

The real power of the company are its 135 supervisors, each of whom leads a team of up to 50 cleaners.

roles

players

workers

employees

He looked for a way to get out of thecorporate life by exchanging his time for money.

constructive

conventionalconvalescent

conservative

Laptops and cell phones are standard for all supervisors at SOL.

equipments

equipmentmachinery

machines

AB has approximately 2,500 employees in three large call centres in cities in South of England.

work/locate

working/locating

working/located

worked/located

To cut costs and increase efficiency, AB is now considering a number of options concerning the location of its call centres.

concern

concerningwhat concern

which concerning

In SOL, its cleaners wear red and yellow jumpsuits that reinforce the companys image.

upbeat

beating

beaten

downbeat

FillBlank

If an organization is b(ureaucratic/ bureaucratic), it has complicated official rules which may seem unnecessary.

In a h(ierarchical/hierarchical) organization, everyones status is clearly defined.

If an organization is c(onservative/ conservative), it tends not to like or trust change, especially sudden change.

A company car and a mobile phone are some of the p(erks/perks) that come with the job.

If you are f(anatical/fanatical) about something, you are every interested and eager to do it.

If something is in chaos, it is in a state of total confusion and lack of order.

They accused the striking workers of being in b(reach/breach) of contract.

There was a growing c(onflict/conflict) of interest between her business dealings and her position as a politician.

In order to keep our competitive e(dge/edge), we are at Free Horizons must continue to provide unique travel services and remain totally customer-focused.

Unit 4

The company has the plans to redevelop the disused car park site.

worked

finalized

wrapped

winded

Reducing the number of employees is the best way to stay profitable in the current economic .

air

atmosphere

climateweather

We often perceive change as a threat to our stability, our self-esteem and our values. It is therefore hardly surprising that the most frequent reaction to change is .

persistence

resistanceconsistence

competence

Shoppers complained about poor quality .and high prices.

merchandise

merchant

commerce

enterprise

Business leaders need to in mind that change is a natural part of the human condition and introduce change carefully for it to be successful.

expect

consider

bearhold

vendors design their own booths and are encouraged creative.

be

being

to beis

The department stores steady of market share may be because the concept was born in a different era.

lose

losslosing

lost

The seating plan has been reorganized to new staff.

accommodateaccomplish

account

accede

I received the years results yesterday and I am delighted to announce that our company has had fantastic year.

other

others

the other

another

Last year we had our fifth consecutive year of growth with$98 million in net profit.

consecutivecontinuity

continue

consequent

FillBlank

He was the managing director in c(harge/charge) of a workforce of 28 people.

A w(holesaler/wholesaler) is someone who buys and sells goods in large amounts to shops and businesses.

Last year, LHDA d(ecentralized/ decentralized/ decentralized/ecentralized) the decision making process to the construction sites via field operations branches.

Consignment is an amount of goods that is sent somewhere.

T(rade/trade) secret is a secret technique used by a company in manufacturing its products.

Change is easier in flatter organizational structures than in h(ierarchical/hierarchical) ones.

A supportive style of management, together with adequate training, can also boost self-confidence and so help staff c(ope/cope) better with change.

Unit 5

Yahoo has strengthened its European with the $578m acquisition of Kelkoo, the French-based shopping service.

appearance

presence

face

staying

The European online retail market is forecast to 116bn in the next three years.

growing

will grow

grow

to growWal-Mart yesterday really surprised investors when it a strong note of optimism.

sounded

rang

heard

talked

It is an excellent business if a manager can follow all guidelines and motivate workers to work in a safe environment.

doing

working

practiceaction

Gains in Targets credit card business, as well as both its Target Stores division and Marshall Fields stores, a small drop in pre-tax profit at Mervyns department store chain.

setoff

offset

outset

set out

using a new distributor, our costs fell giving us a gross margin of 40 per cent on our product line.

as a result

the result

resulting

as a result ofaction by train drivers seriously affected rush-hour services.

Commercial

Business

Industrial

Corporate

Our performance in Italy should improve significantly the bankruptcy of our biggest competitor.

followingfollowed

follow

follows

FillBlank

A bank s(tatement/statement) is a printed record of the money put into and removed from a bank account.

A c(redit/credit) card is a small plastic card which can be used as a method of payment, the money being taken from you at a later time.

A r(ecession/recession) is a period when the economy of a country is not successful and conditions for business are bad.

Bankruptcy is a situation when a company are unable to pay what it owe.Intellectual property is someone's idea, invention, creation, etc., which can be protected by law from being copied by someone elseGross m(argin/margin) is the difference between the sales and the production costs.

Dividend is the part of the profits of a company that is paid to shareholders for each share that they own.

Earnings per share are a companys p(rofits/profits/profit/rofit) divided by the number of its shares.

OTC is the abbreviation for over the c(ounter/counter).

Unit 6

Improvement in the jobs means improvement in state revenues, which in turn may help out Carroll County.

image

painting

illustration

pictureTarget has a more upmarket and style conscious image than other discount retailers.

grown

cultivatedraised

plough

Unfavorable news stories have appeared foreign companies working in the area.

attack

attacking

attacked

attacks

He let his actions his talking for him.

make

work

doexecute

After the war he .. a gamble on oil rights on a barren stretch of land between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

did

tookcaught

hold

Research capacity building is seen as three legged: individual, organizational and enabling environment.

chair

seat

throne

stoolWhere a worker fails to comply with the company'sof practice, the supervisor is responsible to verbally advise the worker.

model

ciper

codesystem

Say the word 'Australia' and a vision of beaches and blue seas immediately to mind.

arrives

springs

summers

steps

Nike uses a of global ad campaigns such as good v evil and local advertising such as its famous poster campaigns in the UK.

group

cooperation

mixture

mix

After Mac sales tapered off in late 1984, Apple faced a serious problem because management had essentiallythe future of the company on the new computer.

play

betdanger

chance

At Nike, there is a . decision-making process that gives marketing directors real power.

streamed

streamlined

straightened

hardened

My number one advertising principle-if I have one- is to wake up the consumer, concludes Knight, with an absolute that is unique among modern-day chief executives.

conviction

submission

admission

confliction

Knight has an absolutely clear and strategy to use celebrity athlete endorsement.

commitment

committing

committed

commit

Focus has been asked to present ideas for advertising campaigns to the managements of the companies

concerning

concern

concerns

concernedFillBlank

Long term success requires you to have a solid plan which includes a well-t(thought/hought)-out approach to map out how you are going to meet your objective.

H(oardings/hoardings) are large boards used to display advertisements.

Product l(ine/line) is a number of related products offered by a supplier, which often cover the needs of several different segments.M(erchandise/merchandise) is goods that are bought and sold.

If you have something to sell, you can p(lace/place) an advert in the local newspaper.

Code of p(ractice/practice) is a set of standards agreed on by a group of people who do a particular job.

Thirst q(uenching/quenching) is a term that describes a drink that stops you feeling thirsty.

Unit 7

Hospitality in the UEA is very important but should not be as future commercial success.

explained

clarified

illuminated

interpretedIn Russia, lunch has many and is obviously the big meal of the day.

sequences

coursesprogresses

programs

It may be true that cultures are becoming more alike under the effect of globalization and mass tourism. However, there often ..a gap between any two given cultures.

remains

are

be

remaining

Although I know them all very well, I have to my colleagues by their surname.

talk

addressdeal

speak

The ball is in your means it is your responsibility to take action next.

hand

courtcourse

fingers

To have it . with somebody means to try and settle a dispute by talking about it.

in

out

off

about

The hosts will normally begin with polite (How are you? How are you enjoying your visit? etc.)

enquiries

requires

requirements

requests

As a gesture of respect, your host is likely to open and carefully examine your gift in your .

appearance

present

presence

view

FillBlank

A c(ounterpart/counterpart) is a person or thing which has the same purpose as another one in a different place or organization.

If you give somebody o(ffence/offence), you upset and hurt his feelings because you are rude and show a lack of respect to him.

Danes prefer to get d(own/down) to business quickly. Pre-meeting small talk will be limited.

R(egardless/regardless) of how you feel, refusing an invitation of any kind may give offence.

F(urther/further) to your letter of 10 January, I would like to thank you for your kind invitation.

What enables us to b(ridge/bridge) the gap between countries is often called cultural awareness.

Empathy, i.e., openness of mind and heart, together with a willingness to step into someone elses s(hoes/shoes), is a necessary condition for such an awareness to develop.

All the behaviors, beliefs and values that we have always taken for g(ranted/granted) may indeed appear strange to someone from another cultural group.

Unit 8

Sometimes, candidates will take a psychology test before the interview to assess their mental ability and skills.

reasoningseasoning

realizing

recognizing

High performers are peopleapparently limitless energy and enthusiasm, qualities that shine through even on the bad days.

on

whose

that

with

High performers are full of ideas and get things quickly and efficiently.

do

donedoing

to do

These days, many applicants submit their CV to companies they would like to work for.

cumulatively

speculatively

relatively

comparatively

High performers inspire others not just by pep talks but also through the force of their example.

sheer

severe

fierce

hard

FillBlank

My favorite company advertised a v(acancy/vacancy) for a sales representative last week.

It is a good idea to assemble an interview p(anel/panel) rather than conducting interviews alone.

After the employer has made a job o(ffer/offer) to you, the employer can require that you take a medical exam.

These days, its normal for successful candidates to have to work a p(robationary/probationary) period in a company.

If you are m(eticulous/meticulous), you are very careful and with great attention to every detail.

Unit 9

Countries faced new pressure in their efforts to develop the economy, people's living standards and maintain social stability.

rise

raiseinflate

average

Roy us a very good price and has done a fantastic job on repairing the carpet damage caused by the cat.

brought

quoted

showed

presented

According to a recent study it is expected that the iPhone willthe market for smartphone usage among US Physicians. manage

monitor

dominateadminister

About two decades ago, the supporters of globalization promised that free trade would bring a to people in both developed and developing countries.

prosperity

property

appropriateness

properness

To means to make laws, systems or attitudes less severe.

liberalize

decentralize

deregulate

subsidize

If we placed a very large order, 15,000 boxes, would you be able to dispatch immediately?

sayspeak

example

instance

For its supporters, fair trade is an example of how world trade can and should be run to poverty.

deal

tackle

cope

challenge

Technically, fair trade could be banned because WTO rules prohibit differentiation between products on the basis of their . of production.

meansmeaning

methodology

significance

The two companies have had some initial by email and now a face-to-face meeting is required.

correspond

correspondenceresponses

exchanges

FillBlank

Organizations and individuals that conduct the exploitation of natural resources shall have to c(omply/comply) with all regulations on declaration.

It is difficult for foreign brands to b(reak/break) into Japanese market.

If you want to place an o(rder/order) online, you will have to type either your credit card number or your customer account number.

Millions of people have, especially in developing countries, work in s(weatshop/sweatshop) conditions, working long hours in many unsafe and unhealthy condition for meager wages.

Our company is trying to b(reak/break) into the Chinese market. We plan to put our new model on the market next winter.

If a government is l(aissez-faire/aissez-faire/laisser-faire/aisser-faire), it does not have many laws and rules which control the buying and selling of goods and services.

Unit 10

If anything, service volume was trending downward because of the lack of consumer .. in Southern California earlier this year.

belief

reliability

confidenceopinion

Second-half results will be hit by both the costs of cleaning the plant and a fall in sales caused by bad .

public

publicitypublication

publication

The problem was discovered during the checks performed on the aircraft after the arrival at Changi airport.

habitual

usual

normal

routineBargains & Quality offer a wide range of free standing or built in domestic , including dishwashers, refrigerators, washers & dryers, cookers.appliancesapplications

applicants

applies

Even though Mieles manufacturing costs are higher than of its competitors, the company says these are justified by its ability to produce appliances that, despite their high prices, people want to buy.

that

those

which

what

The company has built up a tremendous loyalty among consumers who know that the brand stands quality.

up

about

for

with

FillBlank

W(hite/white) goods are large electrical goods for the house, such as cookers and washing machines.

Domestic a(ppliance) is a device, machine or piece of equipment, especially an electrical one that is used in the house such as a cooker or washing machine.

C(ompensation/compensation) is the money that is paid to someone in exchange for something that has been lost or damaged or for some inconvenience.

We have a policy of zero d(effects/defects) so we surprised when shortly after the launch, we received complaints about the durability and reliability of this product.

The relaunch of the product failed due to lack of consumer confidence caused by bad p(ublicity/publicity).

Unit 11

Big business is being asked to explain itsto a growing number of social, ethical and environmental concerns.

access

approachway

road

China and South Korea promised anti-dumping.

to avoidavoiding

avoid

avoided

Oil and mining groups have to make public their payments to developing countries in to fight corruption.

a trial

an effort

an effect

an advance

Kraft announced in July it would cut fat and sugar in its food, limit sizes and stop marketing in school.

dieting

eating

portionpart

The company published the first independent audits of their supplier factories, along with the taken to improve often terrible labour standards.

steps

schedules

acts

activities

FillBlank

Someone who is law-a(biding/abiding) obeys the law.

I(ntegrity/integrity) is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change.

A s(weetener/sweetener) is a gift or money given to persuade someone to do something, especially in a way that is secret and often dishonest.

Unit 12

The concept behind IKEAs amazing success is unbelievably simple: make affordable, well-designed furniture available to the .

crowds

massesgroups

humans

It is Ingvar Kamprads ideas and values that are at the of Ikeas philosophy.

heart

centre

coremiddle

All Ikea executives are strongly discouraged traveling first or business class.

to

with

about

fromAll Ikea executives are aware of the value of cost-.

consciousnessrecognition

realization

concern

Mr Kamprad is determined that the group will not public, because short-term shareholder demand conflicts with long-term planning.

goexchange

step

advance

The informality and of hierarchy are emphasized by his dress style, with an open-necked shirt preferred to a tie.

short

lack

absent

disappearance

FillBlank

If you are h(umble/humble), you are not proud or not believing that you are important.

Stock e(xchange/ exchange) is a place where shares in companies are bought and sold.

A d(yslexic/dyslexic) person has difficulty with reading and writing.

One of Mr Kamprads characteristics is his obsessive a(ttention/attention) to detail.

Unit 13

Kraft's vision is to consumers' needs and making food enjoyable and healthier.

meetplease

give

provide

In an attempt to encourage growth, some companies offer bonuses for innovation or hire stars from outside.

fatrich

thick

vast

Coke, Kraft and Unilever are just a few of the that are struggling to innovate and build the brands they already have.

vasts

huges

significances

giantsFillBlank

C(ore/core) business of an organization is its main or essential activity.

Expecting immediate r(eturns/returns/return/ eturn) on the investment is not a good strategy no matter the market.

A f(ocus/focus) group is a small group of people who are asked to discuss and give their opinions about a particular subject. The information obtained is used by people doing market research.

A(nonymity/anonymity) is the condition of being unknown or namelessness.

If you are i(ntuitive/intuitive), you use your feelings rather than facts to consider things.

Unit 14

Samsungs market capitalization exceeded .. of Nokia last week as this fact became evident in the companies first-quarter results.

which

thatthose

it

Nokia seems to realize how potentially serious its situation is, but two obstacles in the way of Nokia regaining authority.

run

drive

sit

standFillBlank

As Americans, we believe there ought to be a level playing f(ield/field) for everyone. Even if we don't expect to finish first, we do expect a fair start.She seems to be able to anticipate the market, which helps her to stay ahead of the g(ame/game).

IndiateMistakes

Midterm

1. The way service staff (deal) with (their) customers (reflect) clearly how they (themselves) are managed.

2. Employees (express) attitudes, behavior and (emotional) towards customers that reflect their own feelings towards their (work), and these sentiments are (determined) by their managers.

3. (Employee morale) is (closely), directly and positively (relate) to customer service (satisfaction).

4. Researchers have (pointed out) that even employees own (perceptions) of quality of service (they provide) are related to both their personal job satisfaction and (productive).

5. (When) organizations treat their employees (good), the employees treat (their) customers (accordingly).

6. When organizations and the work group (have) policies and practices (aimed) at (maintain) service quality, customers will be (happier) with those services.

7. The more a companys employees (have) contact with customers, the more (its) morale and (organizational) policies (affects) customer satisfaction.

8. All (service) organizations (investment) in (trying) hard (to get) excellent customer service.

9. Managers in service industry (know) that (other) factors (beyond) their control affect staff morale, mood and (to service).

10. (Demanding) and rude customers can (weakens) the morale of (staff), (no matter how) well they are treated by their managers.

Final exam

1. While leadership (can be learnt), it cannot be taught. It is a skill (that), like swimming or flamenco guitar, is (develop) through personal (experience) and coaching.

2. (It) has become generally (accept) that our organizations need (better) leadership if they are to survive and prosper in (these) difficult times.

3. (Well-led) companies know that leaders are (made), not born, and (invests) in the (development) of their future managers.

4. In spite of the energy (devoted) to leadership development, the (return) on investment rarely comes (up to) the hopes and (expects) of participating executives or company sponsors.

5. (Accustomed to) planning for annual improvements in her basic business (strategy), Anne failed (notice) changing priorities in the (wider) market.

6. Although she (had built) a loyal, high-performing team, she had (few) networks outside her group (to help) her (anticipating) the new demands.

7. Anne needed to (acquire) the (able) to think creatively and (consider) a broader range of forces in (finding) new strategy for the group.

8. (As) a leader, Ann is expected to (identification) new trends and (spot) new opportunities in the business (environment).

9. She is (also) expected (to recognize) new partners and (find) new ways of (bring) them on board.

10. To be (success) at the next level, Anne had to change her (perspective) on (what) was important and accordingly what she would spend her time (doing).

Resit

1. India (outsourcing companies) now have (a large share) of the US and UK IT service markets, but Indian and Asian (companies) have found it (is harder) to make headway in northern and central Europe.

2. Indian IT services companies can provide (large numbers) of skilled graduates (with) good English. However, (far fewer) Indian graduates speak good German, and Indian (business) are less experienced in the culture and business practices of mainland Europe.

3. This (cultural gap) and (grow pressure) on companies in Germany (in particular) to cut costs, present (an opportunity) for eastern European contractors.

4. (When it comes to) IT skills (in depth), India still has (the edge), and IT services companies in Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic (cannot be compete) on cost alone with India, Malaysia or China.

5. However, the high standard of (general education) in eastern Europe, and (healthy supply) of graduates with both languages and business experience, mean that the region is attracting (interesting) both among the large (outsourcing providers), and among their customers.

6. In Latvia, for example, there is a (significant pool) of experienced IT (professions) (particularly) in research institutes - and IT graduates, (says) Valdis Lokenbahs, president of Dati Group, the countrys largest IT services provider to the western market.

7. Latvias location is an (advantage) in (itself) and an opportunity to (combining) eastern and western (business cultures).

8. Its IT (experts) can (also) (work) in several European (language).

9. In the European market, language skills are (an issue), (in particular) in tasks (where) employees deal (direct) with customers.

Midterm

MC 1_reading

BEC Vantage Masterclass Workbook, P.6

WHAT ARE THE ORGIGINS OF COMPANYS STRUCTURE?

If we look at the structures of companies, we can see how they have reflected the current mix of ideologies at any one time: political, social, legal and economic, to mention but four. One the other hand, we can also say that structure is a normal feature of human nature. In other words, we prefer organization to chaos and we respond well to clearly defined areas of activity. In this way we can see in the earliest communities the beginnings of organizational structure.

If we look for the practical applications of this thinking, a good starting point is the Ford Motor Company. Henry Ford, who set up his automobile manufacturing company in 1903, firmly believed that efficiency in the workplace was based on providing just that mix of knowledge and skills required to carry out a single, often repetitive, task. Therefore the training provided to his workers focused on what was needed to do the job.

Today, companies structured according to this approach would be considered very minimalist, since they are only concerned with narrow areas of competence. Modern management has had to pay much more attention to the needed of the workforce and find ways to motivate them. Todays worker is not only a unit of production, but also a resource with clearly defined needs and wants. This, in turn, has had implications for companies in the way they structure and organize their activities. This move to a more human face came at a time of rapid industrial change and gave the workers a new position in the company hierarchy. In addition, management began to change, moving away from more autocratic models, where a single leader has total power, to broader ones involving a greater degree of power-sharing. This breadth was reflected in the particular mix of skills needed for success. These can be summarized as:

( planning what needs to be done

( leading the team of colleagues and workers who are going to do it

( organizing the work in the most efficient manner

( controlling what has been done to ensure that it meets the plan.

These four areas have remained the cornerstone of management. While companies may have changed their hierarchies and become leaner and flatter, the tasks carried out by managers have remained largely unchanged. The Marketing Manager needs to prepare the marketing plan, in terms of activities and budgets; then he or she needs to ensure that the plan is communicated to all those who are to be involved in its implementation; after this stage come the implementation itself and the manager needs to organize the work of those who are to carry it out; and finally to complete the process, the results need to be compared against the plan. What we have stated for the Marketing Manager is repeated throughout the company, with minor adaptations to fit each departments activities and concerns.

1. The company structures are based on

four principles.

more than four principles.human nature.

primitive societies.

2. According to the author, people like to

live in a well-ordered society.work together on shared tasks

have a degree of risk in their lives.

work in clearly defined organizations.

3. Henry Ford provided

a wide-ranging traning for his workers.

very repetitive training for his workers.

beliefs and visions for his workers.

narrowly focused training for his workers.4. Todays workers

are simply tools of production.

have lower expectations than their predecessors.

have recognizable requirements and wishes.are more efficient than their predecessors.

5. According to the author, successful managers need

to exercise a range of skills.to be good at planning tasks.

to lead by example.

to follow models from well-established companies.

6. Why does the author give marketing as an example?

because it is a typical management areabecause it is a unique management area

because marketing is central to all company structures

because companies today are marketing-driven

MC 2_ Reading

Cambridge BEC Vantage, test 3, part 3, p 62

MORNING, NOON and NIGHT

The long-hours culture at work

Working an eight-hour day is a luxury for most professional people. Nowadays, the only way to guarantee an eight-hour working day is to have the kind of job where you clock on and off. Those professionals who have managed to limit their hours to what was, 20 years ago, the average do not wish to identify themselves. I can quite easily achieve my work within a normal day, but I dont like to draw attention to it, says one sales manager. People looked at me when I left at 5 oclock. Now, I put paperwork in my bag. People assume Im doing extra hours at home.

But more typical is Mark, who works as an account manager. He says, My contract says I work from 9 until 5 with extra hours as necessary. It sounds as if the extra hours are exceptional. In fact ,my job would be enough not only for me, but also for someone else part-time. The idea of an eight-hour day makes me laugh! He says he has thought about going freelance but realises that this doesnt guarantee better working hours.

Professors Cary Cooper, occupational psychologist at the University of Manchester, is the author of the annual Quality of Working Life survey. The most recent survey found that 77% of managers in Britain work more than their contracted hours, and that this is having a damaging effect on their health, relationships and productivity. Professor Cooper is critical of the long-hours culture. He says that while bosses believe long hours lead to greater efficiency, there is no evidence to support this. In fact, the evidence shows that long hours make you ill.

There are, he says, steps that can be taken. One is to accept that the in-tray will never be empty. There are always things to do. You just have to make the rule that on certain days you go home early. Prioritising work and doing essential tasks first helps, he says. He also thinks its time to criticize bad employers and unreasonable terms of employment. By all means, show commitment where necessary but when expectations are too high, people have to begin saying openly that they have a life outside of work.

Personal development coach Mo Shapiro agrees that communication is important. Staff need to talk to managers about the working practices within a company. Both parties should feel that the expectations are realistic and allow them to have responsibilities and interests outside work. She recongnises, however, that in many organizations the response might well be, If you want more interests outside work, then find another job.

She believes that senior staff have a duty to set an example. I recently worked for a firm of solicitors where the partners started at 7.30am. What kind of message is that to send to the staff? She believes there is no shame in working sensible hours C in fact quite the reserve. Some people might be in at 7.30am but will be doing very little. You can work really hard from 9 to 5 and achieve the same. If you find it difficult to achieve an eight-hour day, there is, as a last resort, the old trick of leaving your jacket on your chair and your computers switched on, even after you have left the building.

13. What does the writer say in the first paragraph about people who work an eight-hour day?

They are reluctant to admit to this.They are disliked by their colleagues.

They are limited to certain professions.

They often catch up on work in the evenings.

14. What does Mark say about his work?

His main concern is job security.

Too much of his time at work is wasted.

The terms of his contract are misleading.

He objects to being given other peoples work.

15. What does Cary Cooper say about recent trends in the workplace?

He believes that a long working day is counter-productive.

He has doubts about the results of the Quality of Working Life survey.

He says that employers should accept the link between working hours and safety.

He argues that further research is needed into the relationship between work and health.

16. How does Cary Cooper think people should deal with the requirements of the workplace?

Obtain help in negotiating terms of employment.

Let people know when demands are unreasonable.

Delegate the less important work to other staff.

Accept that the modern workplace is a competitive place.

17. What does Mo Shapiro see as a problem for employees today?

They lack the communication skills that modern business requires.

Many employers would not regard requests for shorter hours favourably.

Most employers do not want to be responsible for the professional development of staff.

They have difficulties adapting to the rapid changes occurring in working practices.

18. What does Mo Shapiro think about present working hours?

In many companies senior staff need to work a long day.

The best staff are efficient enough to finish their work within eight hours.

There are too many staff deceiving employers about their hours of work.

Top executives should use their influence to change the long-hours culture.

MC_ Reading 3

BEC Vantage Test builder Test 2, part 3, p.41

SELECTING YOUR BUSINESS NAME

SELECTING YOUR BUSINESS NAME

The right business name is important. If you choose the wrong one, you might end up with something that sends all the wrong messages. To be successful, your business name needs to define your identity and say whats special about what you are offering. Think about the market you want to sell into, and why your customer will prefer to buy your product or service rather than someone elses. A good business name is one that tells customers what to expect. For example, Early Learning Center appeals to parents because it tells them that the toys it sells are educational.

Illiterate names have caught on everywhere, that is names that involve deliberately misspelled words. Kwik-Fit, the company that promises to fit car parts speedily, was one of the fist in the UK. The name was the brainchild of Kwik-Fits chief executive, who, as a schoolboy, earned extra pocket money cleaning ovens. He advertised himself as Kookers Kleaned! Some people grumble about these misspellings, arguing, for example, that children will copy them, but even these purists dont hesitate to buy an ice cream from Phun Phlavours! These misspellings work because they catch the eye. The trouble is, as more and more are invented, they lose their impact.

But unusual names are not always the most effective. Names like Tie Rack or Body Shop which just say what your company is about can work just as well. They are short, and they have an honest no-nonsense ring to them. Sometimes using a personal name can achieve the same effect: Laura Ashley projects a gentle and elegant image that makes the customer feel comfortable about buying that companys products.

If you are providing a service, decide whether your company name should describe our customers problem or your unique solution to the problem. For example, a vehicle breakdown service could call itself Panic Breakdowns, which only serves to emphasize the negative state of mind of the customer; or Instant Rescue, which sends out a reassuring message that help is at hand. Which name would you select if you had a burst water pipe: Flood Warning or Peace of Mind?

Consider too the impact your name will have when people hear or read it. What effect does it have when spoken over the telephone? Snappy Happy Snaps may describe your photographic agency, but it sounds ridiculous over the phone. When your name appears in Yellow Pages or similar directories, usually amongst a hundred others offering a similar service, you want yours to be the one that catches the eye. One trick is to ensure that the first letter of your name appears early in the alphabet. A business in Finland called itself by the meaningless name Quello, simply because there is no letter Q in Finnish, so Quello was the only entry in the directory under that letter!

If you deal with overseas customers, check that your name wont cause your problems. A good translation agency will help you avoid the trap of choosing a name that means something offensive in another language. There is a famous case of stick deodorant manufactured by an Asian company who had selected a name which meant something really bad in English. The matter was made worst by the instruction printed on it in English, which read Push up bottom.

49. According to the writer, a business name is a good one if it

identifies your market needs.

avoids confusion with other companies.

creates a different kind of image.

persuades people to use your company.50. What is the writers attitude to the use of illiterate names?

They have been used so much that people no longer notice them.

They are bad because children will learn wrong spellings.

They are good because people find them amusing.

They fail to describe the service or product accurately.

51. What does the writer like about simple company names?

They accurately describe the product.

They inspire confidence.They give a personal touch.

They are easy to remember.

52. Which name, Flood Warning or Peace of Mind, would the writer probably prefer?

Flood Warning because it shows the company understands the problem.

Peace of Mind because Flood Warning sounds more serious than burst pipe.

Peace of Mind because it is designed to comfort the customer.

Flood Warning, because few people know the expression peace of mind.

53. According to the writer, you can help to make your company name stand out by

using an initial letter that gets your name into the front of directories.

making sure the name that people has an unusual letter in it.

choosing a short name that people can say easily over the phone.

putting your advertisement in several directories.

54. What advice does the writer give to companies who sell overseas?

Provide a translation of your company name into your customers language.

Use a good translation agency to translate the product instructions.

Describe your product in simple language that a foreign customer can understand.

Be sure that your company name is not a rude word in another language.

Matching 1_Reading

BEC Vantage Masterclass Workbook p24

Read the article about dress codes. Choose the best sentence from below to fill each of the gaps. Do not use any letter more than once.

DRESS CODES

The dotcom boom at the end of last century had many effects on our behavior at work. Industry observers have commented for years about the more relaxed style of the hi-tech start-up companies. Flat, non-hierarchical structures and a very informal communication style are to symptoms of this style which can be observed from within one of these companies. (0) G

For years the dark suit, the plain white shirt and the sober choice of tie have been the corporate uniform of men at work. (1). . Large organizations even had a written dress code which specified the limited range of colours and styles that the employee could choose from. Only in the so-called creative industries such as advertising were employees encouraged to show their individuality.

Towards the end of the twentieth century, we began to see earliest signs that the days of corporate conformity were coming to an end. Some companies introduced casual Fridays on which employees could celebrate the approaching weekend by discarding their suits and ties and putting on chinos and sport shirts. (2). . These developments move at different speeds in different parts of the world. The impetus, as with many business trends, comes from America, and it is hear that you are most likely to see the above-mentioned jeans and T-shirt worn by the CEO of Silicon Valley-based electronics multinational. (3). . The feeling in these institutions is that they still need to adapt to the customers cultures rather than impose their own.

Business behavior is not only influenced by the States. Climate and culture also have a large role to play. In many Asian cultures, business people dress conservatively but, its hot, they do not feel obliged to wear jackets. (4). . The chic little black dress might be the ultimate in good dress sense to a French secretary but much too flimsy for a businessperson brought up in a Muslim community.

For the international business person, the best advice is probably to err on the side of conservatism. (5). . We need to be aware of the signals we send through our dress. He regimental tie might be a badge of honour for the traditional English male but could be considered old-fashioned military posturing by the younger generation.

A. However, in many cases jeans and T-shirts were not encouraged at that time.

B. Looking too smart is definitely preferable to appearing too casual.

C. Dress is a sign of internal culture of the organization.

D. In contrast, European companies often made distinctions between staff who work face-to-face with customers as opposed to the back-office boys.

E. Women joining these companies were expected to conform by wearing dark suits and conservative blouses.

F. In addition, businesswomen in many countries continue to wear traditional dress and may be offended by Western women who they feel are dressed provocatively.

G. The most visible external sign of this relaxed style is the way that most employees tend to dress down.

1-E;2-A;3-D;4-F;5-BMatching 2_reading

BEC Vantage Masterclass Workbook p26

Look at the statements below and the information about training courses. Which course (A, B, C or D) does each statement 1-7 refer to? For each statement, mark one letter.

1. You will not need to use some of these letters more than once.

2. This is an active course where other people give you their opinions on your performance.

3. This course deals with translating what a customer wants into actual sales.

4. You will be introduced to system for processing customer information.

5. It helps sale people finalize the deal.

6. You will need to understand yourself as well as understand your customers.

7. You will analyze the personalities of other members of your sales team.

A. CLOSE THE SALE

This course focuses on the final and absolutely vital phase of the sales process.

Do you have difficulty getting the customer to sign on the dotted line? Do your monthly sales figures disappoint you and your Sales Manager? If the answer is yes, this course is the one for you. We will be looking at the transition from establishing the need to making the sale.

B. RAPPORT BUIDLING

Selling is 80% about relationships. The key to success are self-knowledge and customer knowledge. Starting with a 360-degree profile we will be building your understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses. Then we will be looking at the strengths and weaknesses of the rest of your team and focusing on the relationships. This will be the springboard to some real learning as we simulate the sales relationship. A really insightful course which will lead to greater understanding and skill.

C. CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT

A two day course which introduces you to a key resource the CMT the Customer Management Tool. Based on the very CDB- an easy-to-use customer database the CMT is a powerful tool. It allows you to actively manage your customers and so maximize sales. Sales action planning becomes transparent and a really effective way to manage yourself and your team.

D. DEALING WITH OBJECTIONS

An objection can kill the sale just at the moment you thought you had it all signed and sealed! The customer hasnt got the budget, the competitor has a long-standing relationship, the price is not flexible enough. Dealing with these sorts of objections is the real skill of selling. This one-day workshop is based on role-plays and feedback. Our workshop leader-Pat Niven- will take you through the key steps to dealing with objections and then give you the chance to put your new-found skill into practice.

1-D;2-A;3-C;4-A;5-D;6-B;7-BMatching 3_reading

Choose the best sentence (A-G) to fill in each of the gaps. Do not use any letter more than once. There is an example at the beginning.

Cambridge BEC Vantage Test 1, part 2, p. 20

GETTING THE BEST FROM YOUR STAFF

Ed Smith, a senior manager for Trustco Ltd in Worcester, used to work a minimum of 70 hours a week. He travelled regularly between the UK and USA and began to feel he had become almost a stranger to his wife and his two young sons. (0) .........G........ . This idea worked.

These days, he still goes to work very early but he also leaves early. He now sees his children before they go to bed and then does about an hour's work by computer from home in the evening, keeping in touch with American colleagues. (1).................. . The key to Ed Smith's changing his hours was persuading his employer that he and other staff were more productive when they worked the hours that suited them. This is easier said than done, of course. (2).................. . Many of them are slow to realise the benefits of letting employees work fewer or more flexible hours.

A recent survey of five thousand senior managers found that nearly half of them always worked more than their contract hours, while many worked evenings and weekends. A majority thought that this not only had a negative effect on their family relationships and their health, but also reduced their productivity. (3).................. . It seems that it is job satisfaction that is the deciding factor when it comes to employee productivity.

However, the good news is that more employers are now starting to realise that they are only going to get higher output from their staff if those staff are happy and want to be at work. (4).................. . His company have brought in changes partly for competitive reasons. The research and development part of the business employs highly trained scientists, who are expensive to replace. (5).................. . The employees seem to be very happy with the new arrangements and, as a result, productivity rates have gradually but consistently increased and staff turnover rates have fallen dramatically. According to Ed Smith, many companies would benefit from a similar scheme, and everyone, from directors to employees' families, would have something to gain.

A. Ed Smith's new working hours are just one example of the attempt to alter corporate culture.

B. This adds to the increasing evidence that long hours are not necessarily useful hours.

C. They are often willing to accept that happy employees produce more.

D. He admits to feeling much happier, and believes he has established a balance between work and home life.

E. It can be difficult to persuade organisations that a change of this type is in their interest, too.

F. To keep them happy, 'trust time' has been introduced, where the company trusts employees to do what is required, in whatever time it takes.

G. Realising that he was putting himself under too much stress, he decided to try to change his working hours.

1-D;2-E;3-B;4-A;5-F