Success is the maximum utilization of the ability you have.

Zig Ziglar

Interviewer: Mr. Roberts, could you tell us how you became one of Bristol’s successful managers?

Mr. Roberts: The only way to be successful in business is to be very competitive. If you don’t sell things aggressively, you won’t make any money. After all, everybody is in business to make a profit, aren’t they?

Interviewer: Yes, I suppose so. do you spend much time working?

Mr. Roberts: Yes, I do. I work very long hours. But I have a lot of things done by other people too. You can’t do everything yourself, nobody has that much time!

Interviewer: Do you have many employees?

Mr. Roberts: Yes, but it is always difficult to find good people to work for you. I’d be out of business if I gave some of the people who come for interviews a job! Some of them are so lazy! I often have to interview hundreds of people for just one job.

Interviewer: Really?

Mr. Roberts: Oh, yes. This is why it’s very important to keep the good employees I’ve already got.

Interviewer: How do you manage that?

Mr. Roberts: The best way is to provide good working conditions. I pay my employees a lot of money and if they are hard working, I give them a good chance of promotion and more perks.

Interviewer: Oh, I see. One last question, Mr. Roberts. Can you tell me if you like working in the financial world?

Mr. Roberts: Yes, I don’t just like it, I love it. It’s always fascinated me. I enjoy working with my colleagues and I get a lot of satisfaction because of my success. But, it’s a twenty-four hour a day job, and I carry a telephone with me everywhere, even to the golf course!

B. Reading Comprehension

1. Why does Mr. Roberts employ other people?

a) Because he gets a lot of satisfaction being a businessman.

b) Because he has enough time to do everything himself.

c) Because he doesn’t have enough time to do everything himself.

d) Because he likes to interview many people.

2. Mr. Roberts’ good workers:

a) are lazy.

b) earn a lot of money.

c) are unscrupulous.

d) choose the hours they work.

3. If you worked for Mr. Roberts, what would be the best way of getting a promotion?

a) by working hard

b) by being lazy

c) by interviewing a lot of people

d) by getting paid a lot of money

4. Why does Mr. Roberts always carry a phone?

a) It helps him play golf.

b) He needs to be in contact with his business.

c) Because all his colleagues carry phones.

d) Because he is fascinated by the business world.

C. Working with words

1. Translate the following phrases from English into Russian:

Enjoy working with my colleagues, make money, make a profit, work very long hours, keep the good employees, be out of business.

2. Translate the following phrases from Russian into English:

Давать хорошую возможность для продвижения, получать удовлетворение от успеха, восхищать, круглосуточная работа.

3. Explain the following words and phrases in English:

Competitive, sell things aggressively, provide good working conditions, give perks.

D. Speechwork

Discuss the three main qualities that you feel are needed to achieve success in your future profession using the given introductory and linking phrases:

I’ve considered the three main qualities needed to achieve success and I’d like to share my point of view.

I’m convinced (sure, certain) that … .

It is evident (obvious) that … .

What is more … .

As for … .

Finally …

I completely share your opinion.

I’m afraid … .

From my point of view … .

I quite agree here but … .

There’s something in what you say but … .

E. Writing.

You are a journalist. Write a short article about a successful manager. Develop the idea of this topic sentence. Write a complete paragraph (10-15 sentences) with the necessary supporting statements.

Topic Sentence: Managers who are unwilling to risk failure are not capable of achieving big successes.

Supporting Sentences (your own ideas)

Concluding Sentence: Learning to cope with failure makes you strong enough to view every defeat as another step toward success.