Productivity - a work study survey

Hector Grant, Managing Director, is worried about productivity. He has decided to engage consultants, who are specialists in work study techniques, to see how Harper & Grant can improve efficiency and output. Any good management is keen to improve efficiency, but nowadays this has become a largely specialised field, and outside consultants who are experienced in particular techniques can be called in to study work systematically and suggest improvements and ways of stepping up, increasing, productivity. When this applies to manual work it is usually called work study, and the idea is to find out the most efficient way of doing something before the formulation of piece rates or incentive bonus schemes. The study of office systems and paperwork is usually called O. & M. (Organisation and Methods). Work study could, of course, be applied to routine office jobs, such as invoice typing. Mr. Grant has decided to call in a firm called Smith — Weston Consultants Ltd. Their representative, Mr. Scott, is present at a meeting called by Mr. Grant to explain the service to his executives. Mr. Grant thinks that production methods on the factory floor could be improved, but he has never considered that a check on efficiency might run from the top to the bottom of the firm

(In Hector Grants office.)

HECTOR GRANT: Ah, good morning everyone. Are we all here? Peter? John? Ian? Good. Let's sit down. Now, to work, gentlemen. Let me first introduce Mr. Scott, from Smith — Weston Consultants. As you know, I have been thinking for some time that we ought to have an O. & M. and work study review. Mr. Scott has come along to tell us what his firm could do for us if we decided to have a productivity study made in the company. Mr. Scott...

SCOTT: Good morning, gentlemen. I am sure I don't need to tell you what improved productivity involves. It means, for a start, analysing jobs throughout a firm with a view to reorganising them in order to decrease time and expenditure and increase efficiency and production. We would propose starting work study in the factory in conjunction with a scheme under which the employees could share some of the benefits of improvement.

PETER WILES: May I ask a question?

SCOTT: Yes, do, by all means.

PETER: We all agree, of course, in maximising productivity, but when you study and time a job isn't it normal to find an operator going as slow as he can so that you'll allow him more time for the job?

118

SCOTT: Yes, that, of course, can happen. But our investigators are experienced. We'd first do a sample study in a selected area of the works, and this would demonstrate how we think productivity could be increased as a result of our proposed activities.

PETER: Well, that seems a fair answer. But I have another question. Don't you find workers dislike your investigators telling them they aren't doing the job in the most efficient way?

SCOTT: That is, of course, a big problem. But soluble, I think, if our survey is conducted in conjunction with an incentive payments scheme. If operators know they will be paid more-as a result of increased productivity they will want to co-operate. We would suggest, for example, putting everyone on group rates as a spur to productivity.

GRANT: Good. Well now, Mr. Scott, I think you have covered some of the main points. Perhaps I could now ask you to tell us in detail how you would set about your investigation? I understand you were looking- round the works yesterday...

(After the meeting, John and Peter get together.)

JOHN: Well, I'm amazed! I really am. What on earth has happened to the old man? You'd have thought he would be the last person to consider a thing like … к study or group bonus schemes. I gather there was a major battle year ago to get him to agree to piece rates even in the few areas where they operate now.

PETER: Yes, he's suddenly decided to change with the times. I think Our new advertising manager may have had a hand in it! Joanna is always talking about things like corporate planning, operational research, critical path analysis and so on.

JOHN: That's just what this firm needs.

PETER: Yes, but you know, the story's not finished yet. I don't think H.G. has quite realised the full implication of all this.

JOHN: What do you mean?

PETER: You wait and see. Some of these consultants never know where to stop.

(Later Mr. Scott reports to Hector Grant)

GRANT: So, Mr. Scott, this seems very satisfactory. I'm very interested in this sample survey. I think we should like you to go ahead and do the full review.

SCOTT: Er... there is one other point we've not yet mentioned.

GRANT: Oh, what's that?

SCOTT: We haven't yet done anything on the management side.

119

GRANT: Management? Surely that's not necessary.

SCOTT: In our experience it's as vital as it is in any other department. Perhaps more vital. Just as a matter of interest, would you mind if I gave you the results of some research I did myself, while waiting for you this morning.

GRANT: Well?

(Mr. Scott reads from his notebook.)

SCOTT: '10 a.m. Managing Director arrives at office. Finds mail has not been correctly sorted. Two letters are for other people to deal with. To answer the next letter, it was necessary to refer to a previous letter which could not be found in the file. Diary was not to hand. This caused delay and confusion over making an engagement by phone while the secretary was out of the room looking for the missing letter'.

GRANT: Well, really? Do your methods usually include listening to private conversations through open doors?

SCOTT: No. But this time I could hardly help it. Our job, Mr. Grant, is to observe and report objectively.

GRANT: I see. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Scott, for your report, and I look forward to studying it carefully. But as to...

SCOTT: ... As to including a survey on the organisation of your management..?

GRANT: I hadn't bargained for that, you know. I shall have to think about it. Hm, yes, I don't quite like the idea of being told how to run my own business, but... well, I'll let you know, Mr. Scott. Good morning.

TERMS IN THE INTRODUCTION

1. productivity the rate at which goods are produced

2. consultants professional business experts who, for a fee, advise

clients on aspects of their business. In this case the

firm are specialists in Organisation and Methods

3. work study the detailed study of manual, or semi-manual

work-cycles. Through analysis, non-essential work

can be eliminated and operations carried out

with maximum efficiency. Sometimes called time

and motion study

4. to pay piece to pay a workman according to the work done, not rates by the time taken to do it

4. a bonus a plan for giving extra money to workers in certain scheme circumstances. In this case they will receive a bonus if

their production rises.

120

TERMS IN THE EPISODE

1. to analyse a job to study it in detail, to break it down into its

various parts

2. operator here, another word for a worker, particularly

someone who operates a machine

3. investigator someone who examines something in detail, in

this case an employee of the firm of consultants who investigates the different jobs done by different workers, operators

4. a sample study a sample is a specimen, a part of something

which shows what the whole is like

5. a survey an analysis covering all aspects of a subject. It

can apply to the actual work of investigation

or the final written report

6. incentive payments a bonus plan. An incentive is offered to

scheme encourage employees to work harder, and more efficiently

7. works another word for factory

7. critical path method of planning the undertaking of a analysis complex project in a logical way, by analysing

the project into its component parts, and recording them on a diagram which is then used for planning and controlling the inter-connected activities which carry the project to completion

9. to sort the mail to arrange all the letters on arrival in different

groups for the people, or departments, who

will deal with them

10. diary a book containing the days and dates of any

year. In this case an engagement diary of the current year in which appointments, etc., are written, with one page, or part of a page, for each date

121

VOCABULARY EXERCISES

I. Give the English equivalents to the following words and expressions:

производительность (2); пригласить консультантов; объем выпускаемой продукции; увеличивать (2); платить сдельно; премиальная оплата труда; во всей фирме; одновременно с...; разрешимая проблема; стимул; начать; изучение хозяйственной деятельности; значение

II. Match the words with their definitions:

1. consultant 2. piece rate 3. survey 4. diary 5. productivity 6. manual 7. executive 8. benefit 9. maximize 10. proposed 11. soluble 12. confusion 13. bargain

a)the output of an industrial concern in relation to materials, labour, etc., it employs b)to make as high or great as possible, increase to a maximum c)capable of being solved or answered d)disorder e)a personal record of daily events, appointments, etc. f)planned g)a fixed rate paid according to the quantity produced h)operated or done by hand i)a person responsible for the administration of a project, activity or a business j)a critical, detailed and formal inspection k)to negotiate the terms of an agreement, transaction, etc. l) advantage or sake m)a specialist who gives expert advice or information

III. Fill in the gaps with the following words:

set about, productivity, have a hand in, , throughout, sample, engage, in conjunction with, soluble, with a view, demonstrate, benefits

1) Hector Grant has decided to …………… consultants who are

specialists in work study, because he is worried about ………………….

2) Work study is analyzing jobs ……… the firm …………… to

reorganizing them in order to decrease time and expenditure.

122

3) The consultants propose to start work study …………………. a scheme under which the employees could share some of the ……………….. of

improvement.

4) First they are going to do a study which would how productivity could be increased.

5. This problem is very serious, but …………………………………. I suppose.

6. Hector Grant is interested in how the consultants will ……………….. their investigation.

7) Peter could not understand what made HG agree to carry out work study. He thinks that their new advertising manager might ……………………….. it.

IV. Give synonyms and synonymous expressions to the following words and phrases:

1. to start

2. incentive

3. to engage

4. routine (adj)

5. productivity

6. to involve

7. expenditure

8. efficient

9. to demonstrate

10. sample

V. Complete the sentences:

1. Work study survey is

2. HG decided to engage outside consultant to carry out work study because

3. First the consultants will carry out a sample study, which means …………………………………………..

4. Workers might dislike the investigators telling them they are not doing their job in the most efficient way, so the consultants suggested that …………………………………………………………………………………

5. To do the full review Mr. Scott suggested that …………………..

6. HG got very angry with Mr. Scott because

123

VI. Translate the following into English:

1) Генеральный директор решил пригласить консультантов, специализирующихся на изучении эффективности производственного процесса, чтобы узнать, как его фирма может, повысить производительность труда и увеличить объем выпускаемой продукции.

2) Любая действенная система управления направлена на повыше ние эффективности производства, но сегодня эта проблема приобретает особое значение.

3) Вначале мы проведем опытное исследование на каком-то одном участке производства, в результате чего можно будет увидеть, насколько предлагаемые методы помогут повысить производительность.

4) В качестве стимула производительности, мы бы предложили перевести всех на групповые тарифы.

5) Для систематического изучения производственного процесса и выработке рекомендаций по постепенному росту производительности труда могут быть приглашены независимые консультанты, профессионально владеющие необходимыми методами.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1. What for did Mr. Grant decide to call in Smith & Weston Consultants Ltd?

2. What is work-study?

3. Why is it better to ask outside consultants to carry out work-study?

4. What is piece rate scheme? What is bonus scheme?

5. What is Mr. Scott's impression of the firm's management?'

6) What does Mr. Grant think about Mr. Scott's idea to check the work of the management? Do you think he'll agree with this plan?

ADDITIONAL EXERCISES

Robotics

Products like cars are made on a production line or assembly line.

Robots have taken over many of the tasks previously carried out

by workers, part of the process of automation.

The use of robots in manufacturing is robotics.

CAD / CAM stands for computer aided design / computer

assisted manufacturing.

I24

Translate the following sentences into Russian:

• Peugeot says its workers now fix faults immediately, as the Japanese do, rather than leaving them to be sorted out at the end of the production line.

• Just 30 years ago, more than half of the workers in rich countries spent their time making things. Nowadays well under a fifth of them do, because technology in the guise of automation, computerised production facilities and robots, does most of the work.

Before you read the article, study the following words and match them with their definitions. This will help you to understand the text.

1. to run amok 2. a gamble 3. spectacular 4. to backfire 5. a showcase 6. to take on board 7. belated

a) to accept (new ideas) b) a situation or setting in which smth is displayed to its best advantage c) too late d)to fail to have the desired or expected effect e) a risky act or venture f) to run about with a desire to kill g) unusually marked or great

WHEN GM'S ROBOTS RAN AMOK

We examine the ambitious automation strategy pursued by General Motors in the 1980s. Ten years and $80 billion later, it has failed.

What went wrong?

After all the problems their industry has been through, it takes a lot to make American car-workers go misty-eyed. But there were tears in October last year when workers gathered at the giant Hamtramck plant in Detroit. They were there for the presentation of the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award. Although it was the first time that a car-maker had won the award that was not the only reason emotions ran high. Five years ago this was the most troubled car plant in America.

It was at Hamtramck that an extraordinary gamble by GM with new technology spectacularly backfired. The production lines ground to a halt for hours when technicians tried to debug the software. When they did work, the robots often began dismembering each other, smashing cars, spraying paint everywhere or even fitting the wrong equipment. Automatic guided vehicles, installed to move parts around the factory sometimes simply refused to move. What was meant to be a showcase plant turned into a nightmare. ...

125

... eventually it became apparent that the way workers were trained, managed and motivated, not high technology, was the real key to competitive car-making. It is these people issues that GM is, belatedly,

now taking on board.

Explain the meaning of the following expressions:

l) to run amok 4) to grind to a halt

2) emotions run high 5) to be a showcase

3) to gamble on something 6) to take an issue on board

Re-engineering

When a product is re-designed or a production process is organized more efficiently, it is re-engineered.

Like other production "philosophies" the concept has been applied to businesses and parts of businesses other than manufacturing, and in this context is referred to as business process re-engineering or BPR.

Translate the following sentences into Russian:

• Porsche maintains that some models have been so extensively re-engineered that they are, in effect, new cars.

• First there was TQM, then JIT. Now comes BPR, the most ambitious acronym of all. Having been all the rage in the United States for the past year or so, business process re-engineering like total quality management and just-in-time scheduling, is coming to Europe.

126

Describing trends and movements

GOING UP
general terms for going up
Verb	noun	example
to advance to climb to increase to rise to gain ground	advance climb increase rise hike	Stores and consumer goods gained around after the good inflation news and on hopes of interest rate cuts. Investors trade much more heavily after a rise in share prices.
going up by small amounts
to edge ahead to edge higher to firm		Amber Day's share price edged ahead 1p to 35p as news of Mr. Green’s departure outweighed the figures.
going up by large amounts
to jump to leap to surge (ahead) to roar ahead to roar up to rocket to skyrocket to shoot ahead to shoot up to soar	jump leap surge	While shares in foreign oil firms have been falling, shares in American oil and gas production companies have surged ahead. Forte's shares were among the week's best performers, jumping 20p to 309p.

127

GOING DOWN
general terms for going down
to decline to drop to fait to retreat to slide to head south to lose ground	decline drop fall retreat slide	A slump in bank lending caused by sliding shares in Tokyo could feel quickly into other economies. Capital Holdings stock returns are not directly correlated with market returns, Sometimes Capital will head south while the market goes north, or vice versa.
going down by small amounts
to dip to drift (lower) to slip (lower) to ease to edge down to edge lower	dip drift slip	Stocks and bonds edged lower as trading activity remained sluggish. ICI eased 11p to 118p in spite of favourable assessments of the Zeneca subsidiary's new antibiotic product at a medical conference. A slip of 16p sent shares in Thorn EMI down to 972p.
going down by large amounts
to dive to nosedive to plunge to plummet to tumble	dive nosedive plunge plummet tumble	Last night Ratner flew home to save his struggling jewellery empire. In the past year, almost 500 million pounds has been wiped off its market value and the shares still continue to plummet. Pioneer's share price took a dive last month when rumours circulated that one of its subsidiaries was heading for bankruptcy.
going down fast by very large amounts
to collapse to crash to slump to crumble	collapse crash slump	Pittard's share price tumbled when the price of sheepskin collapsed. On the face of it, British Aerospace should be the bargain of the century. The collapse of its share price over the past two years has pushed the company's market value to just 471.8 million pounds, down from a peak of more than 2 billion pounds in 1989.

128

Choose the correct alternative for each sentence:

1) The cost of living ……. as high as 3.1% on a year-to-year basis in June.

a) slipped b) climbed c) plummeted

2) British operating profits …….. from 51 million pounds to 19.2

million pounds last year.

a) edged down b) tumbled c) skyrocketed

3) Industrial output grew by 25.6% in 1992 over the previous year, as China's total economy ……… by more than 12%.

a) slid b)edged up c) shot ahead

4) Lodz's rapid growth in the 19th century — between 1877 and

1914 the population from 50,000 to almost 500,000 —

meant there was little town planning.

a) slumped b) leapt c) nosedived

5) Farm prices ....... 0.7% from September as raw milk prices

continued their rise.

a) edged up b) rocketed c) surged

6) Total car production …………. 5% because of lower sales in the US,

where all European car makers are struggling with weak demand, a) shot ahead b) slid c) increased

7) More people were pessimistic about the coming 12 months. The .. in confidence was most severe in Scotland.

a) advance b) jump c) decline

8) Dorling Kindersley lifted its annual profits to June by 105% to 7.5 million pounds, with a 66% ………. in turnover.

a) collapse b) drift c) hike

9) Germany's industrial strength took a …..... from second

position in 1992 to 11th place now.

a) retreat b) crash c) nosedive

10) Though the drop isn't enough to be called a slump, analysts said

the hidden danger is that a small ……… in steel consumption

could trigger a nasty price war.

a) collapse b) crash c) retreat

129

11) Japan's production of cars, trucks and buses in September fell

4.1% from a year ago to 1,120,317 units because of a ....... in export.

a) plummet b) slip c) nosedive

12) Its money mountain has mushroomed from 217 million pounds to 503 million pounds, a massive …. of 132%.

a) drift b) leap c) drop

TEXT

Read the text and summarise the information.