Productivity – A Work Study Survey

Phrase list

Listen to the tape and practise the pronunciation of the following words and word combinations, quote the sentences in which they are used in the unit. Consult a dictionary and translate them into Russian.

to engage consultants

work study technique (review) to improve efficiency and output to be keen to do something

to suggest improvements and ways of stepping up

to formulate piece rates and incentive bonus schemes O. & M. (Organisation and Method)

to run something from top to bottom

to do something with a view to doing something to do something in conjunction with something to do something under the scheme

to do sample study / survey* a soluble problem

an incentive payments scheme

to do something as a spur to productivity group bonus scheme

to agree to piece rates to change with the times

to have a hand in something corporate planning operational research critical path analysis

to cause delay and confusion to be to hand

to bargain for something

* survey sample – обследуемая группа

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PRE-LISTENING

Task 1

Consider the introduction to the unit. Answer the following questions and be ready to give a story line. Use the word combinations in brackets.

1.Why does Hector Grant intend to undertake a work study survey?

(to be worried about productivity; to engage consultants; to be a specialist in work study techniques; to improve efficiency and output)

2.Why do top managers prefer to employ outside consultants?

(to be keen to do something; to improve efficiency; to be a specialist in the field; to be experienced in particular techniques; to study work systematically; to suggest improvements and ways of stepping up productivity)

3.In what way do the techniques applied to the study of office systems and paperwork differ from those used in assessing manual work?

(to apply to manual work; to find out the most efficient way of doing something before doing something; the formulation of рieсе rates or incentive bonus schemes; the study of office systems and paperwork; O. & M. (Organisation and Methods); to be applied to routine office jobs; invoice typing)

4.Why did Mr. Scott appear in Harper& Grant Ltd.?

(to call in a firm; to be present at a meeting; to call a meeting; to explain the service to the executives; production methods on the factory floor; to improve something; to consider something; a check on efficiency; to run from the top to the bottom of the firm)

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Task 2

Give the English equivalents for the following word combinations:

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LISTENING

Exercise 1

You are going to hear a talk between Mr. Scott and the managers in Hector Grant’s office. Before you listen to the conversation look at these statements. After you have listened to the tape determine whether these statements are true

(T) or false (F). Explain why.

1.Hector Grant invited Peter Wiles, John Martin and Ian Hampden to his office to discuss productivity and ways to improve it.

2.Mr. Scott, from Smith-Weston Consultants thought that Harper & Grant Ltd. ought to have Q. & M. and work study review and came along to tell them what his firm could do if they decided to have a productivity study made in the company.

3.Hector Grant was sure he didn't need to tell his subordinates what improved productivity involved because they were often employed as outside consultants by other firms.

4.Improved productivity means analysing jobs throughout a firm with a view to reorganising them in order to decrease time and expenditure and increase efficiency and production.

5.Smith-Weston Consultants proposed starting work study in the factory in conjunction with a scheme under which the employees could share some of the benefits of improvement.

6.Peter thought that some operators might go as slow as they can so that the investigators would allow them more time for the job, which could interfere with the investigation.

7.The investigators do not intend to do a sample study in a selected area of the works, because it would not demonstrate how they thought productivity could be increased as a result of their proposed activities.

8.Hector Grant doubts that workers dislike investigators telling them they aren't doing the job in the most efficient way.

9.If operators know they will be paid more as a result of increased productivity

they will want to co-operate.

10. Mr. Scott suggested putting everyone on group rates as a spur to productivity.

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