7. Decide in which phase of the organisational life cycle the following happens:

1. The Start-Up Phase ……………………………………………….

2. The Growth Phase ………………………………………………..

3. The Decline Phase …………………………………………………

4. The Renewal Phase ………………………………………………..

5. Failure ……………………………………………………………...

1. the entrepreneur is thinking about the business;

2. management doesn't know, or is unwilling to change to get better results;

3. revenues climb;

4. more employees are hired;

5. being acquired and merged into a larger organization;

6. a management group is formed;

7. the use of training as a way of injecting new knowledge and skills;

8. a business plan is written;

9. profit margins are disappearing;

10. choosing transformational leaders to challenge the status quo;

11. debt loads continue to grow year after year;

12. sales grow each year;

13. nursing themselves back to financial health;

14. new services and products are developed;

15. focus on organizational development as a way of preventing decline or reducing its affects;

16. sales are declining relative to competitors;

17. putting in place a rigorous program to change and transform the organization's culture;

18. an organization elects or is forced into bankruptcy.

3. Describing a company

In this unit we will talk about the companies, their history, location, mission statement and core activities.

Business communication skills

Useful phrases:

geography: We are based in / located in / situated in ... Our headquarters are in ... employees: We employ (n) people / There are (n) people on the payroll. activity: Our firm specialises in / produces / manufactures / supplies ... type: a joint venture / a subsidiary / a holding company ... production facilities: (n) factories worldwide producing global brands position: … is the leading company in its field … ranks number one in the market for ... … is a major player / operates in many different markets. … is a group ranking among the world's top 20 ... … recently established / well-established … … with a long tradition of success. financial information: … achieving annual turnover of $ (n)… … accounts for (n)% of sales. … generates profits of (n)…

Talking about your company

You may need to present your company to visitors, potential investors or partners, or new suppliers and clients. Here is some useful English vocabulary to learn that will help you talk clearly, concisely and positively about what your company does.

Giving the history of your company

We were founded / set up / established in 1997.

We merged with X company in 2000.

We set up a subsidiary in the UK.

The subsidiary was sold off two years after and the remaining company was split into five different divisions.

We floated on the stock exchange last year, and we are now listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Talking about your products and services

We make / produce packaging material.

We manufacture car engines.

We supply paper products.

We launched a new washing powder last month. It has revolutionised the washing process. We have pioneered new ways of reducing energy costs in domestic appliances.

We are researching new products for the home entertainment industry. We hope to roll them out early next year.

We are developing new software for the internet. Our R&D department is working closely with our international partners.