Listening

Ex. 8. Two people are talking before the meeting. Listen and answer the following questions:

1. Have the two people met before?

2. What do they talk about?

3. How many questions does the man ask? What questions could he ask?

4. When the man gives the answers to the questions he doesn’t give any additional information. What additional information could he give in each case?

5. What impression of each other do you think the two people have at the end of the conversation?

Listen to another version of this conversation. Is it more or less successful than the previous one? Why?

Unit 2. Company’s structure Warming up

Ex. 1. Read the text and answer the questions below.

There are many different types of companies. Most large corporations are public limited or joint-stock companies, which means that shareholders who wish to invest in the company can buy and sell parts of the company on the stock exchange. Many are multinationals with subsidiaries and assets in various different countries and they generally engage in mergers with other companies and acquisitions in order to expand. However, the large corporation is increasingly under threat from growing number of dotcoms set up by entrepreneurs.

1. What types of companies are mentioned in the abstract?

2. What threats do large corporations face?

3. What are dotcoms?

Ex. 2. Work in groups. Discuss the following questions.

If you are still studying:

1. What kind of organization do you want to work for?

2. In which department? (e.g. production, finance, accounting, marketing, sales, human resources).

3. Do you think it will later be possible to change departments? What do you think your first position will be?

4. Do you expect to have one immediate boss, to work for more than one superior, or to be part of a team?

If you are already working:

1. What is your function or job title?

2. What are you responsible for?

3. Who are you responsible to? (Who do you report to?) / Does anybody report to you?

4. What other units, departments or divisions do you regularly have to work with?

Big and Small Companies Warming up

Ex. 1. Discuss the following questions.

1. Do you or would you prefer to work for a big or small company? Why?

2. Think of advantages of working in a small or a big company.

3. Think of disadvantages of working in a small or a big company.

Ex. 2. Read the following statements, and decide whether they are about the advantages of working in a big or small company. Explain your point of view.

1. If you have problems with your colleagues you can always change departments.

2. The atmosphere is friendlier and you know everyone.

3. You can actually see the result of your contribution to the company.

4. You can become more specialized in your work.

5. You have more independence, and you don’t always have to wait for permission from a superior.

6. You may be able to go and work in a foreign subsidiary.

7. You’re unlikely to be fired in a sudden reorganization or downsizing.

8. Your company will be in a better position in an economic downturn or recession.