Gordon’s principles of managing people

Books on management are specific for Gordon Jackman. He is sure he can enlarge knowledge of business using his own experience rather than reading books written by scholars who are not involved in business activities. Practice is the major priority for him whereas theory is often blind.

Jackman believes in developing his staff, but business deals come first. ‘I believe in appointing people to do what they can and not more. So, for example, at the moment I have a very good salesman who has almost completed a sale but won’t close the deal himself as he doesn’t have enough experience yet.’

At the same time, he has strong ideas about rewards. ‘Sales staff can earn as much as managers, because I recognise that if one person’s doing a great job at managing, and another at selling, there’s no reason for a difference in pay. And although experience may make a difference, in the end it is actions that count.’

Most of his staff like his style of management. Although it fully depends on his personal attitude to people, they realize pretty well that Gordon is fair, realistic and objective. Most people in his team treat him with respect and understanding. That is why the business is quite successful.

(17) Gordon Jackman does not believe in

A. theory.

B. practical experience.

C. either theory or practice.

(18) What point does Jackman make about his staff?

A. Employees should be trained to do particular jobs.

В. Staff development matters less than the success of a deal.

С. Teamwork is essential for carrying out all tasks.

(19) Jackman pays staff according to

A. how well they do their job.

В. their position in the company.

С. the amount of experience they have.

(20) The word ‘respect’

A. is never pronounced by the members of his team.

B. has nothing to do with Gordon Jackman.

C. is what most people feel working for Gordon Jackman.

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Grammar and vocabulary Part I (1 – 10)

• Complete each sentence with the correct option (А, В or С).

1. The strong growth of the company .......... the value and quality of the service it provides to its customers.

a) show

b) shows

c) are showing

2. Nobody knows how well the new product works in emergency situations, so it .......... to be tested.

a) has

b) must

c) should

3. What were the reasons ………. Boeing decided to become a global company.

a) that

b) which

c) why

4. As a rule, when you apply ………. a job you need a reference from your previous employer.

a) at

b) to

c) for

5. We are planning an advertising campaign ………. all the advantages of our new product.

a) to show

b) to be shown

c) to have shown

6. The factory ………. to show the production capacity next year.

a) supposes

b) is supposed

c) has supposed

7. The company succeeded in ………. youngsters rather than any other group of consumers.

a) targeting

b) target

c) targeted

8. We ………. an appointment with our new finance manager for the next week?

a) will have made

b) have been made

c) have made

9. ………. dramatically during the financial crisis the major world currencies are now regaining their power.

a) Have fallen

b) Having fallen

c) Falling

10. That is ………. competition from large international companies we have ever had.

a) strong

b) the strongest

c) stronger

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