The 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. )

Barbara You’ve got a new job, Anna. My congratulations.

Anna Thanks, Barbara.

Barbara Tell me a few words about your boss. What does he do?

Anna Well, he is one of the vice-presidents of the company, so

he’s rather important. He is an executive.

Barbara Do you know the difference between an executive, a

manager and an administrator?

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.

Barbara What about your company?

Anna In our company the top offers are called administrators.

The next highest group – the vice-presidents, the heads of

major departments and branch plant managers – are

executives like me boss.

Barbara Is that all?

Anna The group below consists of managers, they are general

managers and foremen.

Barbara So I sea that an organization has a number of positions

10

and some people have more authority than others.

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.

Barbara It seems to be important.

Anna It is important. It’s evident that making careful decisions is

he basis of good management.

Barbara But do you work under much pressure?

Anna Barbara, you know I am quite used to working under

oressure from my last job. I am also accustomed to lots of

Paper work and red tape.

Barbara Good for you.

Anna And what’s more important I fell I can learn a lot because

my boss is very competent.

Barbara Good, I think we’d be in a hurry not to get late for the

work.

Active vocabulary

executive - керівник, адміністратор

vice-president – віце-президент

manager – керуючий, адміністратор

administrator – керуючий, адміністратор

head of deparment – керівник відділу

foreman – майстер, керівник

position – посада

to set objectives – ставити цілі

to delegate authority – розподіляти обов’язки

to work under pressure – працювати з примусу

red tape – канцелярська робота

to be competent - бути компетентним