Bic’s success in a throwaway world Bic is a household name, synonymous with a disposable age.
FEW companies can say that they are responsible for changing the everyday habits of billions of people throughout the world, but the French company Bic, founded in 1950 is one that can.
The ballpoint pen came first. The original biros - named after Lazlo Biro, their Hungarian inventor - were expensive and difficult to use. Baron Marcel Bich, the owner of a small office supplies company, brought together French and British scientists to refine and modify* the design. He negotiated the rights to produce and sell the pen with Biro. Production of the Bic "Crystal" began in 1953. The "Crystal" had a clear blue plastic tube and a visible ink supply which sufficient to draw a line three kilometres long.
Sales rose from around 50,000 a week in the first year to a quarter of a million a day by 195q. Today sales of Bic writing instruments total more than 20 million a day in 160 countries.
Bich was not content with a one-product business and wanted to find other throwaway ideas. In 1972 came the disposable lighter.
It is another success story which made Bic world leaders in the daily sales of disposable lighters now numbering almost 4 million.
Bic's winning formula was a combination of simplicity of production and reliability; the company claims that its lighters will work 3,000 times compared with competing brands' 1,000.
The company used healthy profits to invest in its third major product range - the throwaway razor - in 1975. It now contests market leadership with Gillette. " Bic subsequently diversified further - into windsurfing boards and fashion - but the three original throwaway' ideas remain its success stories.
synonymous with a disposable age: [Bic] represents our fast-moving world
to refine: improve
to modify: make small changes Gillette: major manufacturer of razors and toiletries
Ex 8. Read the text again and complete this company history.
Company history
1950 The company was founded.
1950-53 Lazlo Biro invented the first pen. Marcel Bich__________and _________ the design. Bich negotiated with Biro to______________.
1953 Production of the___________began.
1956 Sales of the biro rose to__________.
1972 Bic invented___________________.
1975 Bic invented___________________.
NOW Bic sells___________ballpoint pens per day. Bic sells___________disposable lighters per day. Bic and_____________ are leaders in the market for disposable razors.
Ex 9. Work in pairs and discuss
Are disposable products popular in your-country?
What disposable products do you use and why?
Are disposable products good for the environment?
Ex 10. Choose three of these companies.
BMV Coca-Cola NIKE Levi Strauss & Co. Microsoft |
Write what you know about:
What each company produces and provides?
Where the company started?
Where the company operate?
Who its main competitors?
Lesson 1.3.3. Job Satisfaction
Ex 1. Match a word from box A with a word from box B to form new words and phrases.
A
career long-term training business new achieve |
B
cards prospects course goals contacts |
Ex 2. Match some of the words you made in 1 to the definitions (1-5) below.
1. your personal future objectives at work
2. cards with your name and work contact
3. future opportunities you may get at
4. lessons where you learn new skills for your job
5. new people who are useful for your work
Ex 3. How good are your career prospects? Answer the questions below. Then compare your answers in pairs.
Ex 4. Discuss these examples of bad manners. Which ones do you 'think are especially bad? Why?
arriving late for a meeting
ignoring people when you meet them
shouting an order at someone
not apologising if you offend someone
being rude to people who offer to help you
using bad language
Ex 5. What other examples of good or bad manners can you think of? Work in small groups and make two lists. Then compare your lists with other groups. Do you all have the same opinions about politeness?
Ex 6. Janet Stubbs, a professor of communication, talks about politeness in the workplace. Listen to part one and complete what she says.
Politeness is about showing_____ for others. It means thinking about other people's_______.
Ex 7. Listen to part two and answer the questions.
Who are we usually polite to in a business environment? Give two examples.
Why is it better if managers show respect for their workers?
Ex 8. Complete the extracts with words from the box. Then listen to part two again and check.
Hierarchy rules status subordinates
In formal situations, It is a good idea to follow standard -------when making new contacts. Politeness is often linked to ----------.We are more polite to people who are above us in the organizational ------------.
Ex 9. Read the article and find six examples of bad manners. Which three examples of bad manners is the company in the article trying to stop?
Ex 10. Read the article again and answer the following questions.
1) What reason do office workers give for their bad manners?
2) Why is it impolite to answer a mobile phone during a meeting?
3) Are people today more polite than they were 20 years ago?
4) What are some organizations doing to improve workers' manners?
5) What are the benefits of avoiding bad manners at work?