Developing speaking skills

A:

Good morning, Mr. White. Would you be so kind as to answer some questions about management?

B:

With great pleasure. What particular are you interested in?

A:

What is the nature and purpose of management?

B:

Management is the process of designing and maintaining an environment in which individuals, working together in groups, efficiently accomp­lish selected aims.

A:

How is productivity defined?

B:

Productivity can be defined as the output-input ratio within a time period with due consideration for quality. It can be improved by increasing outputs with the same inputs; by increasing inputs but maintaining the same outputs; or by increa­sing outputs and decreasing inputs to change the ratio favourably. And do you know what the difference between effectiveness and efficiency is?

A:

Yes, Mr. White, I do. Productivity implies effectiveness and efficiency in individual and organisational performance. Effectiveness is the achievement of objectives and efficiency is the achievement of the ends with the least amount of resources. Managers cannot know whether they are productive unless they first know their goals and those of the organisation.

A:

I would like to ask you one question. Is management a science or an art?

B:

Managing like all other practices is an art. It is know-how. It is doing things in the light of the realities of the situation. Yet managers can work better by using the organised knowledge about management. This knowledge constitutes a science. Thus, managing as practice is an art and the organised knowledge underlying the practice may be called a science.

A:

There are four functions of management: plan­ning, organising, directing and controlling. What does planning involve?

B:

As far as I know, planning involves selecting missions and objectives and the actions to achieve them; it requires decision making, that is, choo­sing future courses of action from among alter­natives.

A:

What does organising mean?

B:

Organising is that part of managing that involves establishing an intentional structure of roles for people to fill in an organisation. Designing an effective organisation structure is not an easy managerial task.

A:

And what about directing? As far as I understand, it is influencing people so that they will contribute to organisation and group goals.

B:

Yes, you are right. All managers would agree that their most important problems arise from people, their desires and attitudes, their behaviour as indi­viduals and in groups.

A:

I know that controlling is the fourth function of management and it is measuring and correcting individual and organisational performance to ensure that events confirm plans.

B:

Certainly. It involves measuring performance against goals and plans, showing where deviations from standards exist and helping to correct them.

A:

I know you are very busy, Mr. White. Thank you for conversation and help. I have got the answers to all my questions. Good bye.

B:

Good bye. Good luck.

A:

Hallo! Haven’t seen you for a long time. How are you?

B:

……………………………………………........................................................

A:

They say, you are a student of Lviv Polytechnic National University. What specialty have you chosen?

B:

……………………………………………........................................................

A:

Is knowledge of management useful in our everyday life?

B:

……………………………………………........................................................

A:

Could you explain the functions of management with examples from your life?

B:

……………………………………………........................................................

A:

It’s very interesting. I have never thought about this. It means that knowledge of management can help us to improve our lives. Thank you very much for useful information! I will try to use it in my everyday life.

B:

……………………………………………........................................................

A:

Hallo. How are things going on? Have you written your composition in English?

B:

……………………………………………........................................................

A:

You know, my topic is “Management and my profes­sional education”. To tell the truth, I have prepared the plan of my composition, but I am not sure if that is enough.

B:

……………………………………………........................................................

A:

So, I decided to analyze my professional education according to the functions of management.

B:

……………………………………………........................................................

A:

First of all – planning. I mean I can use strategic planning for setting my goals of professional education and tactical planning for defining my objectives.

B:

……………………………………………........................................................

A:

It seems to me I can organise my working days and weekends effectively and this will help me to get better results.

B:

……………………………………………........................................................

A:

The problem is with controlling and directing. I understand that controlling is carried out by teachers and the system of assessment. But it is not easy for me to be self-controlled and self-directed. And what about you? Do you always do the things you should do?

B:

……………………………………………........................................................

A:

And this is the problem. I think every person should start with self-training and defining his or her desires. It is useful to keep a diary and every day write down the things, which you have done in order to achieve your goal.

B:

……………………………………………........................................................

A:

OK. Thank you for conversation. It’s high time to write the composition. See you.

B:

……………………………………………........................................................

Reporter

Manager

You are planning to write an article aimed at young people who would like to start up a new business. You are to provide some vital business information and practical advice on how to get off the ground and develop the company. Ask questions about the manager’s job. You need to get plenty of good material.

You have been with the firm for many years and run a reputable business, are trusted by consumers and respected by the business community. Try to give some successful hints on how to proceed.

Use the following words and word combinations: to monitor, responsive, flexible, market, strategy, policy, to obtain, product, service, competitive, alternative, rapid, assignment, feedback, performance, to clarify, routine, request, customer, to respond, to provide guidelines, to summarise, trend, to plan, to prepare thoroughly, to persuade, to carry out research, to direct, to control, to organise, to achieve, resources, to correct, vision, goal and objective, to motivate, to accomplish, marketing, challenge, to identify weak points, to absorb information.