I. Business Communication

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Ex. 5. Practise these words and word combinations.

common, to have smth in common (with smlt/smlh)

1. 'Irynskitc into Russian:

1. It's common knowledge that the world's climate is changing.

2. Such weather is quite common in autumn.

3. It'scommon practice among students to work in libraries and Internet shops.

4. Common people support the idea of improving the social security system.

2. Answer the questions:

1. Do you have much in common with your classmates?

2. Do you have anything in common with your neighbours?

3. Do some parts of our country like the Caucasus have anything in com­ mon with Spain, Italy, and the South of France?

4. Do the Russians, as a nation, have anything in common with Ihe English/ Germans etc.?

staff, to staff, on the staff (в штате)

1. Practise (he sentences, remember that \iaffcaa be followed by a singular or plural verb.

1. The staff of the company are happy about the introduction of flexible work­ ing hours.

1. The company employs thirty-one staff.

.3) Our new accountant is a very valued member of staff.

4. New teachers have joined our staff lately.

5. We arc well-staffed.

2. Translate info English:

1. Мы полностью укомплектованы штатами.

2. Эта компания укомплектована квалифицированными работниками.

3. Это — небольшая компания со штатом в 50 человек.

4. Персонал больницы жалуется на (to complain about) плохие усло­ вия работы.

5. У нас 20 штатных работников.

6. Вы укомплектованы хорошими работниками?

3. Answer the questions:

1) How big is the staff of. your university? 2} Is (Are) the teaching staff excellent?

3. Are there any part-time staff?

4. Are all the departments fully staffed?

to handle Answer the questions:

1. Do you know how to handle a car?

2. Should the boss know how to handle his subordinates (подчиненные)?

3. Is it difficult for teachers to handle large classes?

4. Should teenagers be handled kindly?

5. Can you handle critical situations?

to draw up

I. Make your own sentences with the words which are frequently used wilh to draw up in the meaning "to prepare and write something" such as a document or a plan:

rules guidelines a list of participants/representatives

budget plan

1. Answer these questions:

Have you ever been asked to draw up a plan, guidelines, rules, a docu­ment? Was it easy or difficult for you? Why?

to exchange opinions/views/ideas/greetings/words/information

translate into English:

1. Друзья обменялись приветствиями.

2. Во время переговоров стороны обменялись необходимой инфор­ мацией.

3. Конференции являются прекрасной возможностью обменяться но­ выми идеями и мнениями.

4. Представители компании обменялись приветствиями и приступи­ ли к делу.

Обратите внимание, что to exchange также означает «обменивать валюту од­ной страны на валюту другой страны»:

I want lo exchange dollars for pounds.

Ex. 6. a) Open the brackets putting the verbs in the correct form, b) Say how a business­man should get prepared for a business trip.

Businessmen have to travel a lot. Since a business trip always... (to limit) in time, appropriate arrangements... (to make) prior to departure or immedi­ately on arrival. Arrangements can ... (to make) by phone, by cable or by fax. Tentative agendas including the points businessmen would like to take up dur­ing the forthcoming meeting ... (to draw up) customarily.

These tips may come in handy for a businessman on a trip:

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Unit 5

I. Business Communication

177

• People in business musi be punctual. In some cultures, punctuality is a top priority.

• If a businessman cannot keep the appointment, his counterpart must ... (to notify¹) in advance and a new date should .,, (to fix).

• On a formal occasion - talks, a working lunch, a reception- a business­ man ... (to expect) to wear a suit and a tie.

• On informal occasions - a sightseeing tour, an outing, a visit to a private home - informal clothes ... (to call for), one should ... (in dress) casually.

• It is always best to behave naturally, jokes and humour... (to appreciate} everywhere.