It’s Interesting to Know

Russia: looking back into the 90-s.

In the early nineties western companies coming on Russian market preferred to bring all managers with them. As qualification and professionalism of Russian managers was reaching the level of western managers and there were more western-educated people, western businesses realized the potential of Russian people and began to transfer the power of decision-making to Russian managers. In 1996 the general trend was to hire Russians on the middle and even on the top levels of management.

Both western and Russian recruitment agencies started working in Russia. As a rule, Russian employment agencies often lacked western experience and professionalism. On the other hand, western companies lacked knowledge of the Russian job market and understanding of the Russian culture. Companies, which managed to combine western experience and business style with knowledge of the Russian people and Russian job market, proved to be the most successful.

In the middle 90-s the highest demand for Russian specialists was in the spheres of Sales (Sales Representatives, Sales Managers, etc.), Banking (Clerks, Investment Analysts, Bank Office Specialists, etc.) and Administration (Receptionists, Personal Assistants, Office Managers, etc.)

1. Read the statements and decide if they are true (T) or false (F)

1. In the early nineties western companies hired only Russian managers.

2. The number of western-educated people was increasing.

3. Russian employment agencies did not have western experience.

4. Companies which combined Russian business style with knowledge of western culture were a success.

2. Match a beginning with the correct ending.

At first western companies preferred	to transfer power to Russian managers.
After a while western businesses began	to work on Russian market.
In 1996 the general trend was	to be the most successful.
Both western and Russian employment agencies began	to bring all the managers with them.
Companies which knew Russian job market and had western experience proved	to hire Russians on all levels of management.

Business Communication.

Being polite; Telephoning Skills; Asking for permission.

Formal and Informal Language.

1. Being polite.

Look at the dialogue and say which phrases are used to show politeness.

A: Please, spell the company name.

B: It’s Ross Electronics. R-O-S-S.

A: I’ m sorry, could you repeat the area code?

B: The code is 675.

A: I’m afraid I missed the date.

B: It’s August 1^st.

A: Excuse me, but could you repeat the time for the meeting?

B: It’s at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

A: Would you mind repeating the message?

B: Sure…

2. Telephoning Skills.

• Here are some phrases people usually use while talking over the phone:

• Hello, is that…?

• Can I speak to…, please?

• Good morning, I’d like to speak to….

• Is…available, please? This is …speaking.

• Could you take a message, please? (Could I leave a message?)

• Could you ask … to call me back, please?

• Thanks for calling.

• I’m sorry I’ve got the wrong number.

• I’m afraid… is in a meeting/not in/out/not in the office/still at lunch/on holiday this week/not available just now.

• Speaking on another line

• I’ll check if… is in the office.

• I’ll put you through (to)…

• Hold on a moment, please.

• What’s a good time to reach…?

2. Asking for permission.

Here are some phrases to use when you ask for something:

• May I…?

• Do you mind if I…?

• Could I/Can I…?

• Do you think I could…?

• Is it all right if I…?

• And here are phrases for possible answers:

• Yes, go ahead. Sure.

• No, I don’t mind.

• No, I’m afraid not, because…

• No, I’m afraid you can’t because…

• No, we/you aren’t allowed to…

Exercise A. Role-play the following situation.

A: You work for a big corporation Alpha Electronics. You are the president’s personal assistant. You are asked to book a conference-hall for the corporation’s Board of Directors, which is going to take place at the Central Hotel.

• Introduce yourself.

• Ask the receptionist if you can make a reservation for the conference-hall for May 12, from 2 till 5 p.m.

• Ask for a table for 12 people (with chairs) and a stand.

B: You are the manager of the Central Hotel in charge of conference and seminar organization.

• Problem: The conference-hall is booked up for May 12; it will be free only on May 13 or 14.

• Tell your partner about the charge of the booking – $90 per day.

• Say that your partner should book the conference -hall two weeks in advance and pay a $50 deposit.

Exercise B. In each set of four, match a formal word with an informal one.

inform	come to
assistance	help
require	tell
attend	need
further	want
grateful	more
near future	happy
would like	soon

Exercise C. Match each word or phrase on the left with one on the right with a similar meaning. Which is more formal? Why do you think so?

Thank you for	Can you
With regard to	See you
I would be grateful if you could	Re
Please accept my apologies	All the best
I look forward to meeting you	Thanks for
With best regards	I’m sorry

Follow-Up

1. Comment on the proverb: Live and learn. Do you know any Russian equivalents?

2. Internet Research. Search for the keywords work in Dubai or work in Brazil to read more about job opportunities in these countries. Try to find a job you would like to do and tell your partner about it. Search for the keywords moving abroad advice to read more about what you need to do when moving to another country.