Video Tasks

Task I. Answer the questions:

1. What are the three items on the agenda?

2. What news does Parker confirm?

3. What is the aim of the press-release?

4. What new product is mentioned?

5. What is the financial situation in the company?

6. What structure of the press-release has been agreed upon?

7. What time will the announcement be released? Why?

8. Which item has been discussed during the first phase of the meeting?

Task II. Listen and fill in the gaps with the right words:

Well, basically what we’re doing here is ………………. a new beginning for Visitron. The aim is to ………… ………….. and to show that we’re about to ………… …………….. in a big way. So, as you can see here, I’ve started with ……………. into the small end of the market. The push will be ……………… by the new …………….. of products, …………….. by strong management and sound finance.

Task III. Study the draft press-release and answer the questions:

Draft press release: August 17th

Confidential

New Board announces turnaround plans.

The new management team at Visitron, Europe's major scanner manufacturer, today released details of the company’s new strategic plan. Mr Howard Parker, Visitron's new C.E.O., emphasized the company's unrivalled technical capabilities and the new team's determination to regain the initiative in this highly competitive industry. The plan contains three main elements.

1. A thrust into the small end of the market with a new generation of scanners based upon Visitron's recent advances in magnet miniaturisation. These advances result from a breakthrough in detector technology which will allow Visitron's scanners to pick up much weaker signals from target objects. This will allow the use of much smaller, lighter and less expensive magnets in the next generation of scanners.

2. A management commitment to innovation, profitability and new expansion in all sectors of the scanner market.

3. A sound financial strategy based on the recently strengthened financial resources of the company. A major factor here is the commitment of the First National Bank, through its recently acquired shareholding, to a policy of renewal and strategic development of one of Europe's foremost high-tech companies.

Further details may be found in the accompanying fact sheet.

Embargoed until 3.35 p.m. August 17^th.

1. What are Visitron's new marketing targets?

2. What is the technical background to the new products?

3. Why is Visitron now financially stronger?

4. What other advantages of the company are mentioned?

5. What impression about the company is produced by this press­-release?

Task IV. Write a similar press-release to your shareholders.

Communication Tasks

Task I. Translate the following expressions into Russian, memorise them:

1.1 Signalling the start (Clear signals are needed to focus the attention of those involved and to indicate entry into the meeting structure)

I think we should begin.

Right. Shall we begin?

Let's start.

………………………………………………………………………………

1.2 Setting the agenda (The agenda is the man of the meeting and should be clear and concise)

The agenda this morning consists of two items.

There are three main topics on the agenda. First...

There are three things we've got to discuss today.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1.3 Assigning roles (All participants should know what they are expected to do)

Richard is going to outline the problem.

I'd like you, Deborah, to summarise the financial position.

Could, you, Don, tell us about the R&D situation?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1.4 Updating (All participants should be given the latest relevant information as early as possibly)

News has just come in that.

We've just heard that...

It's been confirmed that...

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1.5 Setting objectives (The target of the meeting should be clearly stated) Our aim this morning is to.. Our objective today is to...

The main thing we've got to do today is to...

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1.6 Giving opinions (How you give an opinion may decide how others react to it)

I think that...

I believe that...

It seems to me that...

My view is that...

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1.7 Agreeing and Disagreeing (Again, how you agree and disagree may decide how others react to you)

I go along with that.

You're right.

I couldn't agree more.

I disagree.

I can't agree with you.

I'm not sure I agree.

………………………………………………………………………………

1.8 Moving the discussion forward (As you move through the agenda, give clear signals of intention and position)

Let's go on to...

Can we deal next with...

Let's turn our attention to...

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1.9 Asking for opinions (Encourage contributions and involve others)

What's your view on this, ...?

How does Marketing see this?

How do you feel about this, ...?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1.10 Conceding and making points (Agree before you disagree. The Yes, but… technique is common in English-speaking meetings)

That may be. I still think, though...

You could have a point. On the other hand...

You may be right. But you mustn't forget...

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Task II. Write your variants of continuing the phrases.

Task III. Find in the unit phrases, illustrating the above-mentioned steps.

Task IV. Simulation

You are directors of a big company producing office furniture. For the last three months you've been feeling hostile activity of your competitors: they have been decreasing their prices substantially which caused your profits to slump. As a result, your shareholders have started to get rid of your shares. The situation is rather dangerous as you can lose the majority control in your company. You'll have to hold a meeting where your task will be to work out a new strategy.

Marketing Manager is sure that you should spend more money on R&D. This will help you to develop new products and become the leader on the market.

Treasurer thinks that in the present situation you can't afford such expenses. The financial situation in the company leaves much to be desired.

CEO hopes that the meeting will help to work out a suitable strategy.

Study the agenda and hold a meeting.

From: CEO

To: Board of directors

Subject: New strategy

Agenda

1. Analysis of competitors' activity, forecasts.

2. Financial situation.

3. Formulation of strategy.

Each of you should use not less than three phrases from the language frame!