Functions of an executive Dialogue
Anna is having lunch with her sister Barbara. Anna has just accepted a position as an Administrative Assistant. Her boss is an executive with a firm that manufactures heavy machinery used in construction.
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Barbara |
You've got a new job, Anna. My congratulations. |
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Anna |
Thanks, Barbara. |
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Barbara |
Tell me a few words about your boss. What does he do? |
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Anna |
Well, he is one of the vice presidents of the company, so he is rather important. He is an executive. |
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Barbara |
Do you know the difference between an executive, a manager and an administrator? |
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Anna |
I am afraid I can hardly tell you the difference. I think these words are interchangeable and they really aren't different in many companies. |
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Barbara |
What about your company? |
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Anna |
In our company the top officers are called administrators. The next highest group – the vice presidents, the heads of major departments and branch plant managers – are executives like my boss. |
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Barbara |
Is that all? |
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Anna |
The group below consists of managers, they are general managers and foremen. |
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Barbara |
So I see that an organization has a number of positions and some people have more authority than others. |
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Anna |
You are right. |
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Barbara |
But it would be interesting to know more about the functions of an executive like your boss. |
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Anna |
I'd say he makes a lot of important decisions. He sets objectives, coordinates work, delegates authority, makes hiring, firing, evaluating and just general leading. |
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Barbara |
It seems to be important. |
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Anna |
It is important. It's evident that making careful decisions is the basis of good management. |
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Barbara |
But do you work under much pressure? |
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Anna |
Barbara, you know, I am quite used to working under pressure from my last job. I am also accustomed to lots of paper work and red tape. |
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Barbara |
Good for you. |
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Anna |
And what's more important I feel that I can learn a lot because my boss is very competent. |
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Barbara |
Good, I think we'd be in a hurry not to get late for the work. |
Active Vocabulary
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executive n |
руководитель, администратор |
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manager |
управляющий, администратор |
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administrator |
управляющий, администратор |
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vice president |
вице-президент |
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head of department |
руководитель отдела |
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foreman |
мастер, руководитель |
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position |
должность |
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to set objectives |
ставить цели |
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to delegate authority |
распределять обязанности |
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to work under pressure |
работать по принуждению |
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red tape |
зд. бюрократическая, канцелярская работа |
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to be competent |
быть компетентным |