Business English in Fiction. Практикум

Unit 6

“She’s working as the assistant manager in a fashion shop called “Wayout Columbus” near Golden Gate Park. She’s also been trying to borrow money from several banks.”

“Why?” said Abel, sounding worried. “Is she in any sort of trouble?”

“No, she's looking for capital to open her own shop.” “How much is she hoping to raise?”

“She needs thirty-four thousand” dollars for the lease on a small building that’s become vacant on Nob Hill.”

Abel considered the information for a moment. “See that she gets the money. Make it look as if the transaction is an ordinary bank loan and be sure that it’s not traceable back to me.” He started tapping on the window again. “This must always remain between the two of us, George.”

“Anything you say, Abel.”

“And keep me informed of every move she makes, however trivial.”

The next day Abel asked Gorge: “Anything new about my girl?” “I’ve set up a facility for Florentyna with the Crocker National Bank of San Francisco,” said George. “She has an appointment next Monday with the loan officer. The agreement will appear to her as one of the bank's ordinary loan transactions, with no special favours. In fact, they’re charging her half a per cent more than usual so there can be no reason for her to be suspicious. What she

doesn’t know is that the money is covered by your guarantee.” “Thanks, George, that’s perfect. I'll bet you ten dollars she

pays off the loan within two years and never needs to go back for another. Keep me briefed on everything she’s up to. Everything.” Florentyna visited three banks the following Monday.

The Bank of California showed some interest, Wells Fargo none and Crocker asked her to call back. Richard was surprised and delighted.

“What terms did they discuss?”

“The Bank of California say they would want eight per cent and require to hold the deeds of the lease. Crocker wants eight and a half per cent, the deeds and my shares in the Baron Group.” “Fair terms considering you have no banking history with them, but it will mean you must make a twenty-five per cent

profit before taxes, just to break even.”

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Business English in Fiction

“I’ve worked it all out on paper, Richard, and I think I'll make thirty-two per cent in the first year.”

“I studied those figures last night, Jessie, and you’re being overly optimistic. You have no hope of achieving that. In fact, I think the company will lose between seven and ten thousand dollars in the first year – so you’ll just have to hope they believe in your long-term future.”

“That’s exactly what the loan officer said.”

“When are they going to let you know their decision?”

“By the end of the week. It’s worse than waiting for exam results.”

Florentyna signed the lease on the tiny building on Nob Hill the next day and the Kanes moved into the small apartment above the shop.

During her first week as owner, manageress and clerk, Florentyna contacted all the main wholesalers who had dealt with her father in New York. In no time she had a shop full of goods and ninety days’ credit.

Florentyna had sent out a large mailing announcing the opening of the store, choosing the day before the government raised postage stamps from three cents to four. She had also stolen an assistant named Nancy Ching from her old employers, “Wayout Columbus”. On the morning of the opening, the two girls stood by the door in hopeful anticipation but only one person came into the shop the whole day and all he wanted to know was the way to the Mark Hopkins. The next morning, a young woman came in and spent an hour looking at all the shirts they had in from New York. She tried on several but left without purchasing anything. In the afternoon a middle-aged lady fussed about for a long time and finally bought a pair of gloves.

“How much will that be?” she asked. “Nothing,” said Florentyna. “Nothing?” queried the lady.

“That’s correct. You are the first customer to make a purchase at Florentyna’s and there will be no charge.”

“How kind of you,” said the lady. “I shall tell all my friends.”

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Unit 6

Comprehension Check

Answer the following questions about the text, use the bold words and expressions.

1.What did Florentina want to borrow money for?

2.What security was she going to offer the bank against the loan?

3.Why did Richard think it would be difficult for her to convince the bankers to lend her a large amount of money?

4.What did Richard tell her about the policy banks usually pursue when lending money?

5.What news did George tell Abel about his daughter and her husband?

6.How did Abel decide to help his daughter to set up her own business?

7.What arrangements did George make with the Crocker National Bank of San Francisco?

8.What banks did Florentina approach to ask for a loan?

9.Which of them responded to her request?

10.What terms did the bank offer?

11.Did Florentina and Richard agree as to the prospects of paying off the loan?

12.What did Florentina start with when she got the money to start her business?

13.What publicity gimmick did Florentina use on the day of openning her store?

Section II. Speaking

Roleplay

(for two participants: A, B )

Background information.

А: Вы, начинающий бизнесмен, хотите основать свое предприятие. Вы обращаетесь в банк с целью получить ссуду для аренды помещения. Вы предлагаете обеспечение под ссу-

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Business English in Fiction

ду (например, акции крупного предприятия) и стараетесь убедить сотрудника банка предоставить вам ссуду.

В: Вы – сотрудник банка. Вы колеблетесь относительно предоставления крупной ссуды начинающему и никому неиз- вестному бизнесмену, хотя он и предлагает некоторое обеспече- ние. Объясните причину своих сомнений и колебаний. Скажите, почему банкиры бывают предельно осторожны, принимая решение о предоставлении крупных кредитов и ссуд.

Section III. Writing

Vocabulary Practice

Translate the following sentences into English in writing. Use the Vocabulary list for the translation of the bold

words and expressions.

1.Принимая решение выдать сделку, банк должен стра-

ховать риски: требовать достаточное обеспечение, тщатель-

но проверять кредитную историю клиента, требовать соот-

ветствующие рекомендации.

2.– Это помещение свободно, мы хотели бы его арендо- вать. Это возможно?

–Да, конечно. Мы можем предложить вам хорошие

условия аренды с правом продления.

–Когда мы можем подписать договор об аренде?

–Перезвоните нам через пару дней. Мы подготовим все документы и договоримся о встрече.

–Хорошо, я свяжусь с вами послезавтра.

3.Он хотел получить в банке должность помощника ме- неджера, но ему отказали, т.к. его бывший наниматель отка-

зался предоставить ему рекомендации и его взяли на долж- ность операциониста с маленьким окладом.

4.Я хочу, чтобы вы устранили эту неисправность. Какую плату вы берете за такую работу?

5.Все оптовики отказались поставлять им товар, т.к. они задерживают платежи.

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6.Дайтемнезнать, кактолькоониприбудутваэропорт.

7.Не будем терять время на светские разговоры, при- ступим к делу.

8.Мы надеемся получить хорошую прибыль на капи-

тал, вложенный в этот проект.

9.Прежде чем принимать решение, мы готовы рассмот-

реть разные точки зрения.

10.– Я бы хотел получить ссуду в вашем банке.

–Когда вы могли бы погасить ссуду?

–Ну, пожалуй, в течение 3 лет.

–Но по нашим подсчетам вы должны получать при-

быль не менее … до уплаты налогов, чтобы погасить ссуду

всрок.

–Боюсь, вряд ли это мне удастся. В первые два года мой бизнес будет в лучшем случае безубыточным.

–Допустим, мымоглибыпродлитьсроквыплатыдо5 лет. А какое обеспечение вы могли бы предложить?

–Я владею акциями компании “N” стоимостью… .

–Но для нас эти акции не представляют никакой ценности, их нельзя продать на открытом рынке.

Test

1.

Match the words on the left with their meanings on the right.

Business English in Fiction

2.

Match the words on the left with the words they are most likely to be associated with on the right.

3.

Fill in the gaps with suitable words from the list below.

1.I paid $ 800 for this used car but it is… much more.

2.We don’t expect to make any profit on this deal. The only thing we can hope for is to break… .

3.Before you decide to give a loan to a customer make sure you will be able to … your money.

4.Nobody knows how he came into … of his fortune.

5.This bank will give us a loan to cover the lease of the shop, but they require to hold the … of the lease.

6.What bank are they going to…money from?

7.If anybody calls … me know immediately.

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Unit 6

1.borrow

2.possession

3.worth

4.deeds

5.let

6.retrieve

7.even

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Business English in Fiction

Unit 7

Skills: Reading, Speaking, Writing

Section I. Reading

Background information to the extract from J. Archer’s novel “The Prodigal Daughter”.

Молодой бизнесмен (Richard Kane), сын бывшего вла- дельца одного из крупнейших банков (Lester’s Bank), хочет, чтобы банк снова стал собственностью их семьи. Он скупает акции этого банка, чтобы стать обладателем контрольного па- кета. Недостающее количество акций он надеется приобрести у некоего банкира (Sir Colin Dudley). Он пытается с ним связаться через своего знакомого (Jonathan Coleman).

Vocabulary Guide

Here is the list of words and expressions commonly used in business communication. You will come across these words in the text that follows.

Look through the list carefully before you read the text. It will help you to understand the text adequately.

Learn these words and use them in the conversation you will have to make up as a business communication assignment in the Roleplay Section of the unit.