Our values

We value integrity, honesty, openness, personal excellence, constructive self-criticism, continual self-improvement, and mutual respect. We are committed to our customers and partners and have a passion for technology. We take on big challenges, and pride ourselves on seeing them through. We hold ourselves accountable to our customers, shareholders, partners, and employees by honoring our commitments, providing results, and striving for the highest quality.

The five core values underpinning the way we do business are:

Integrity. We must conduct our business fairly, with honesty and transparency. Everything we do must stand the test of public scrutiny.

Understanding. We must be caring and show respect and compassion for our colleagues and customers around the world, and always work for the benefit of our country.

Excellence. We must constantly strive to achieve the highest possible standards in our day-to-day work and in the quality of the goods and services we provide.

Unity. We must work cohesively with our colleagues across the group and with our customers and partners around the world, building strong relationships based on tolerance, understanding, and mutual cooperation.

Responsibility. We must continue to be responsible and sensitive to the countries, communities, and environments in which we work, always ensuring that what comes from the people goes back to the people many times over.

What, in your opinion, are the shared values behind the following businesses?

McDonalds Rolls-Royce Christian Dior BelitaVitex

Sony The Walt Disney Company IBM Kommunarka

Task II. Work in groups and discuss how important the following things are when doing business in your country. Are they: a) important; b) not important; or c) best avoided? Don’t forget to use the conversational formulas from File Useful Language.

1. exchanging business cards h. punctuality

2. shaking hands i. humour

3. kissing j. giving presents

4. accepting interruption k. using first names

5. small talk before meetings

6. being direct (saying exactly what you think)

7. formality (how you dress, how you talk to colleagues, what names you use, etc.)

Task III. Work in pairs and match the following terms with their descriptions below.

Academy Culture Club Culture

Baseball Team Culture Fortress Culture

a) Employees are “free agents” who have highly prized skills. They are in high demand and can rather easily get jobs elsewhere. This type of culture exists in fast-paced, high-risk organizations, such as investment, banking, advertising, etc.

b) Employees don’t know if they will be laid off or not. These organizations often undergo massive reorganization. There are many opportunities for those with timely, specialized skills. Examples are savings and loans, large car companies.

c) Employees are highly skilled and tend to stay in the organization, while working their way up the ranks. The organization provides a stable environment in which employees can develop and exercise their skills. Examples are universities, hospitals, large corporations.

d) The most important requirement for employees in this culture is to fit into the group. Usually employees start at the bottom and stay with the organization. The organization promotes from within and highly values seniority. Examples are the military, some law firm, etc.

Think of your own examples to illustrate each type. To what type of culture do you belong or would like to belong? Why?

TEXT 4

Read the text and match the headings below with the passages. Answer the questions which follow the text.

Training and daily briefing; Reward and recognition; Empowerment and continuous improvement; Leadership consistency; Information support; Listening and communication; Selecting the right employees