1. Complete the passage below using the appropriate words or phrases from the box.
Chairperson Senior managers Managing Director Board of Directors
At the top of the company hierarchy is the 1 , headed by the 2 (or president). The board is responsible for making policy decisions and for determining the company's strategy. It will usually appoint a 3 (or chief executive officer) who has overall responsibility for the running of the business.
4 or line managers head the various departments or functions within the company.
2. Answer the questions to the text about Philips on page 6 of the Student’s Book of New Insights into Business (nIiB sb).
1. What is known of Gerald Philips? 2. What was the produce of the company in the beginning? 3. What fuelled a program of expansion? 4. Why was a research laboratory established in 1914? 5. How did Philips protect its innovations? 6. What were the landmarks of the company’s diversification of its product range? 7. Which figures may well speak of the Philips’ impressive international presence? 8. Who determines the long-term strategy of the Philips group as a whole? 9. What is the managerial structure in the company? 10. What is the company creed? 11. What is its meaning? 12. What devices may remind you of Philips on travels around the world?
3. Read the text «Colgate-Palmolive Company» on page 9 of nIiB sb and frame questions to which the following words and phrases provide the answers.
1. In 1806. 2. Starch, soap and candle. 3. In the United States. 4. The establishment of Colgate operations in countries throughout Europe, Latin America and the Far East. 5. $8.7 bn. 6. In the area of Oral Care. 7. Many successful toothpastes, rinses and toothbrushes. 8. To strengthen its presence in professional products. 9. For many years. 10. For dental professionals. 11. To the environment. 12. Recyclable bottles and packaging materials.
4.
Listen to the dialogue “Company Profiles” and commentaries
coming after it. Give English definitions to the words and
expressions in bold print. Learn the dialogue by heart and dramatize
it with another student in class.
Company Profiles
Roberta: What are you working on?
Lee: Oh, I’m writing the company profiles for the businesses participating in the meeting next month. Do you have a minute to give me some feedback?
Roberta: Sure, what do you have so far?
Lee: I’ve started to write the ones for Lundrun and Max Electronics. This is what I have for Lundrun so far: “A Fortune 500 company, Lundrun is a world leader in car manufacturing. Founded in 1936, Lundrun today is a $90 billion dollar company that sets a standard in the industry.”
Roberta: That’s pretty good. Don’t forget to mention that their headquarters are in Chicago.
Lee: Oh, yeah. I’ll make sure I add that. Okay, here’s what I have for Max Electronics: “Max Electronics is a Frankfurt-based company that has been a pioneer in the manufacturing of home electronics for over 75 years. The company has a global network of 1,500 distributors and has stores in 53 countries worldwide.”
Roberta: That’s a good start. Why don’t you pass them by me when you’re done and I can give you some more feedback?
Lee: Yeah, I’ll do that. Thanks a lot.
(From “English as a Second Language” (ESL) Podcast 181.)
5. Choose a company out of “Fortune 500” list at http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2010/full_list/. Get ready to answer the following questions about the company profile.
1. What is your company name?
2. Are there any Group Members?
3. What product(s) or service(s) does this company provide?
4. Where are its headquarters?
5. How many people does it employ?
6. Does it have offices in other countries? If so, where?
7. Who is its main competitor?
8. What supplies does it need?
9. Where does it get supplies from?
10. From what country/countries?
11. From which company?
12. Where are its markets?
13. What is its
- market share?
- turnover?
- net profit?
14. Is it growing, shrinking or holding steady?
15. What is its most promising products and/or markets?
16. What kind of public image does it have?
(Adapted from http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/eiw/company_profile.htm)