BUSINESS TRIP ABROAD

Unit 1

Travelling by Air, Passport Control, Customs.

Lead in

1. Discuss the following questions in pairs:

Why do businessmen travel so much nowadays?

What means of travelling do they prefer? Why?

Reading

2. Read the text, be ready to explain the words in bold.

Nowadays people who go on business mostly travel by air, as it is the fastest means of travelling.

Here are a few hints on air travelling that may be helpful:

Passengers are requested to arrive at the airport two hours before departure time on international flights and an hour on domestic flights as there must be enough time to complete the necessary airport formalities. Passengers must register their tickets, weigh in and register the luggage. Most airlines have at least two classes of travel: first class and economy class which is cheaper. Each passenger of more than two years of age has a free luggage allowance. Generally this limit is 20 kg for economy class and 30 kg for first class passengers. Excess luggage must be paid for except for some articles that can be carried free of charge.

Each passenger is given a boarding pass to be shown at the departure gate and again to the stewardess when boarding the plane.

Watch the electric sign flashes when you are on board. When “Fasten seat belts” sign goes on, do it promptly and also obey the “No smoking” signal.

Do not forget your personal effects when leaving the plane. Landing formalities and customs regulations are more or less the same in all countries.

While still on board the plane the passengers are given an arrival card to fill in. After the passenger has disembarked, officials will check his passport and visa. In some countries they will check his certificate of vaccination. The traveler is also requested to go through an AIDS check within ten or fourteen days of his arrival in the country. If the passenger fails to do so some strict measures could be taken by the authorities including imprisonment or payment of a considerable penalty. to the

When these formalities have been completed the passenger goes to the Customs for an examination of his luggage. As a rule personal belongings may be brought in duty-free. If the passenger has nothing to declare he may go through the “green” section of the Customs. In some cases the Customs inspector may ask you to open your bags for inspection. It sometimes happens that a passenger’s luggage is carefully gone through in order to prevent smuggling. After you are through with all customs formalities the inspector will put a stamp on each piece on your luggage or chalk it off.

Checking comprehension

3. Answer the following questions:

1. How long before the departure time is it advisable to arrive at the airport? Why?

2. What airport formalities is the passenger requested to complete before he boards the plane?

3. What do you do if you have an excess luggage?

4. What can you carry to the cabin free of charge?

5. What electric signs must the passenger obey?

6. What are the usual landing formalities and customs regulations?

7. Is the passenger’s vaccination certificate always checked? Why?

8. What do you do if you have nothing to declare?

9. Some passenger’s luggage may be gone through carefully. Is it a regular occurrence? Why is it done?

Speaking

4. Imagine that you have just arrived from a foreign country. You have travelled by plane. Tell your friends about this trip.

5. Read, translate and learn speech patterns.

SPEECH PATTERNS

Here you are.

You’d better fasten the belts.

Would you mind lending me…

(Come) this way, please.

Are you quite comfortable?

Is anything the matter?

Is there anything I can do for you?

6. Act out the dialogues.

On board the plane.

Air-hostess: Are you quite comfortable, sir?

Russian traveller: Yes, quite. Could I have a newspaper, please?

A.- h.: Here you are. Would you like a magazine?

R. t.: I’ll have Time, thank you.

Fellow-traveller: Excuse me, when will you be serving drinks?

A.- h.: I’ll be bringing the trolley round quite soon. Will you have some chewing-gum or peppermint now?

R. t.: Some peppermint, please. My ears often ache during take-off.

F. – t.: I’ll have the same, please.

* * *

R. t.: Excuse me, what was the announcement?

F. – t.; They are asking us to fasten our seat belts.

R. t.: Why? Is anything the matter?

F. – t.: Don’t worry. We are probably going through some bad weather.

R. t.: What’s happened? Are you feeling all right?

F. – t.: Not very, I’m afraid it’s a bit rough, I get air-sick easily.

R. t.: Is there anything I can do for you? Shall I ring for the stewardess?

F. – t.: Yes, please, and would you mind lowering the back of my seat a little?

R. t.: Of course.Is that better?

A. – h.: Ys, sir?

R. t.: Have you got anything for air-sickness – it’s for this gentleman.

A. – h.: certainly, sir, I won’t be a moment. Here you are, just drink this. That should do the trick.

Landing in London.

R. t.: are we coming into London? It’s my first visit to London. Doesn’t it look huge?

F. – t.: Yes, it does. I can see the runway lights. We’d better fasten our seat belts, the plane is going down.

R t.: So it is. We are on time. And… what do we do with our landing cards?

F. – t.: they are for the immigration officer on arrival.

R. t.: I haven’t filled mine in yet. Would you mind lending me your pen?

F. – t.: Not at all.

Health check.

Official: Health check here. Where are you from, sir?

R. t.: From Russia.

O.: Your certificate of vaccination, please?

R. t.: Here you are.

O.: Thank you. Everything is O.K. You may proceed to Passport Control.

Passport Control.

Passport control officer: Your passport, please?

R. t.: here you are.

P.c.o.: How long are you staying in London?

R.t.: Ten days I’m here.

P.c.o.: Your passport and visa are in order. Have a pleasant stay, sir.

At the Customs.

Customs official: Good afternoon, sir, is this your suit-case?

R.t.: No, the brown one is mine.

C.o.: Oh, I see. Have you got anything to declare?

R.t.: No, I haven’t. My bag only contains personal things. Shall I open it?

C.o.: No, thank you, sir, that won’t be necessary.

Meeting at the airport.

Foreign representative: Good morning, Mr Somov. Welcome to London.

R.t.: Good morning, Mr Brown. Nice to see you again.

F.r.: Oh, I never forget meeting you in Moscow. Did you have a good journey? How are you?

R.t.: I’m quite well, thank you.The trip was very pleasant.

F.r.: Come this way, please. The car is outside the airport building. Is it your first visit here, Mr Somov?

R.t.: Yes, it is. And I like what I see.

F.r.: I am sure London will impress you favourably. You’ll have an opportunity to have a look round and I hope you’ll enjoy it.

R.t.: Certainly, though I’m afraid I’m going to be very busy during my stay.

F.r.: Yes, the programme for your stay is rather packed and we’ll discuss it tomorrow in details.

Now I’m going to take you to the hotel and I’ll be able show you some places of interest on the way to the city.

R.t.: Thank you.

On the way back.

R.t.: Do I check in for the flight to Moscow here?

Clerk: Moscow, sir? Yes, that’s right. May I see your ticket and passport, please? And your bag. Put it on the scales.

R.t.: Here it is. Do I need to weigh this small bag?

C.: Are you keeping it as hand luggage, sir?

R.t.: Yes.

C.: You must weigh it as well. Oh, it’s too heavy. I’m afraid there’ll be an excess luggage charge. Perhaps there’s something you could take out? Otherwise you’ll have to pay extra.

R.t.: All right. I’ll take these booklets out. They are rather bulky.

C.: Will you put your luggage on the machine again, sir? Now, it is inside the free allowance. Here is your ticket and boarding pass.

R.t.: Thank you. Which way do I go now?

C.: Passport Control is that way. Then the departure lounge is straight ahead. Then you’ll have to go through the check gate.

R.t.: Thank you.

7. Supply the missing remarks in the following dialogues.

Official: Could I have your passport, please?

Traveller: ………..

O.: Where are you going?

T.: …………..

O.: How long are you going to stay?

T.: ………….

O.: What’s the purpose of your trip?

T.: ………..

O.: And can I see your vaccination certificate?

T.: …………….

* * *

Customs officer: …….?

R.t.: That’s right? Shall I open it?

C.o.: ………..?

R.t.: I don’t think I have, though I have a box of cigarettes for my own use. I believe they are duty free?

C.o.: ………

R.t.: Thank you.

8. Make up your own dialogues on the topics.

1) Registration for the flight.

2) On board the plane.

3) At the health check.

Listening

9. Listen to these flight announcement. Check (*) the flight number you hear.

a KL 202 d UA 173

KL 203 UA 174

b JL 401 e BA 547

TA 201 BK 547

c AF 260

AX 280

Writing

10. Fill in the Customs Declaration.

Keep for the duration of your stay in Russia or

abroad. Not renewable in case of loss.

Persons giving false information in the

Declaration or to Customs officers shall render

themselves liable under the laws of the Russian Federation.

CUSTOMS DECLARATION

Full name

Citizenship

Arriving from

Country of destination

Purpose of visit (business, tourism., private, etc.)

My luggage (including hand luggage) submitted for Customs inspection consists of­­______________pieces.

With me and my luggage I have;

I. Weapons of all descriptions

and ammunition______________________________________________________________

II. Narcotics and appliances

for the use thereof ___________________________________________________________

III. Antiques and objects of art (paintings,

drawings, icons, sculptures, etc.)_________________________________________________

IV. Russian rubles, Russian State Loan

bonds, Russian lottery tickets___________________________________________________

V. Currency other than Russian rubles (bank notes, exchequer bills, coins), payment voucher
(cheques, bills, letter of credit, etc.), securities (shares, bonds, etc.) in foreign currencies,
precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, metals of platinum group) in any form of condition, crude
and processed natural precious stones (diamonds, brilliants, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and
pearls), jewelry and other articles made of precious metals and precious stones, and scarp
thereof, as well as property papers:

VI. Russian rubles, other currency, payment vouchers, valuables and any objects belonging to other persons

I'm aware that, in addition to the objects listed in the Customs Declaration, I must submit for inspection:
printed matters, manuscripts, films, sound recordings, postage stamps, graphics, etc., plants, fruits,
seeds, live animals and birds, as well as raw foodstuffs of animal origin and slaughtered fowl.
I also declare that my luggage sent separately consists of___________________ pieces.

(Date)_____________ 20… Owner of luggage

(signed)

Follow-up

11. Distribute roles and take part in the role play “Travelling by air”

Unit 2

Staying at a Hotel.

Lead in

1. Check if you know these adjectives. Which of them can be used to describe the nouns below? Add some more adjectives to each point.

a) a hotel b) a room c) the service e) a view

Luxurious, modern, cramped, traditional, basic, comfortable, friendly, centrally-located, spectacular, quiet, noisy, spacious, professional.

2. Read the list of facilities modern hotels usually have. Choose five of them which would be the most important for you. Explain why.

Restaurant

Swimming pool

Childcare

Room service

Internet access

Satellite TV

Laundry service

Bar

Disabled access

Sauna

Reading

3. Read the text. What other facilities can you add to the list in Ex.2? Why is it important for a travelling businessman to choose a comfortable hotel?

Never before in the history of the world have businessmen travelled so much as they do today. It is not surprising because we are living in the world of growing international trade and expanding economic and technical cooperation.

Fascinating though it is for tourists, travelling has, however, become the most tiring of all the occupations for many businessmen. Choosing a comfortable hotel to stay at is therefore a matter of some importance. There are plenty of good hotels, motels and guest houses in the world conveniently located for major business centres.

Many developing countries, such as India, Egypt, Nigeria etc. have excellent hotels. Their numerous facilities include both large and small cocktail lounges, ballrooms, banqueting rooms, beauty parlours, barber's shops, conference halls equipped with simultaneous multilingual translation systems. There are parking areas which can accommodate a lot of cars. It might be useful for traveling businessmen and tourists to know that tailor shops, shoe repair shops, laundry and dry cleaning services are available for guests. People in the office help guests to book train, air or steamer tickets and rent a car. They are also ready to give all necessary information.

4. Read and act out the following dialogues.

Making arrangements about rooms

Receptionist: Good afternoon, sir. What can I do for you?

Visitor: We are Russian businessmen. Reservations have been made to accommodate 16 people.

R: Oh, yes, sir. 8 double rooms for a fortnight.

V.: Sorry, but we need now 7 double rooms and 2 single rooms.

R: I'm sorry, sir, but we're having a big international conference here this week, and we are completely booked out. You should really have mentioned the change when you confirmed your reservation.

V.: Yes, I suppose I should have, but do you think you could do something now? We need two single rooms for our top executives.

R.: Top executives.... Are they going to stay for a fortnight?

V.: No, about a week.

R: Then, you can have 2 single rooms on the first floor.

V.: Thank you, you've been very helpful. I hope the rooms are not noisy.

R: They're very quiet. They face the garden.

V.: Good. Are all the rooms with private baths?

R.: All rooms are with private baths, telephones and back-ground music.

V.: What about television?

R: There's a television room on the ground floor, sir. By the way, you can have our central papers free every morning.

V.: How much are the rooms?

R: Singles are $100 and doubles $50 a day. Have you filled in your arrival card? Good. Then sign here, please. Here's your key. When you go out, please, leave the key at the reception desk.

V.: Sure, and what if we want to extend our stay?

R.: You'll have to contact the chief receptionist at least 24 hours before the original date of your departure.

V.: Thank you.

Talking to a bell-boy.

Bell-boy: Your room, sir.

Visitor: Thank you.

B-b: If you want a maid, sir, or to order anything, you may use the telephone. All the numbers you may need are on the list beside the phone. You can have room service day and night. For meals and drinks in the rooms we charge an extra 10%.

V.: Thank you. I don't think I'll have drinks or breakfast in the room. When do you

serve breakfast in the breakfast room?

B-b: From 7 till 9, sir. If you want to have a full breakfast, you must fill in a breakfast order and hand it to the waiter in the breakfast room, or put it on the door handle outside the room.

V.: Thank you, I think continental breakfast would be sufficient.

B-b.: Then, you just sign the bill in the breakfast room, because continental breakfasts are included in the cost of the room.

5. Read, translate and learn speech patterns.

SPEECH PATTERNS

What can I do for you?

How much are the…?

What about….?

I’d rather…..

How do I (telephone, get to …)?

You’d better off going …..

May I have my key, please?

I won’t be a minute.

6. Supply the missing remarks.

Visitor: May I have my key, please?

Receptionist: ……?

V.: 325.

R.: …………

V.: Thank you. Where’s he waiting?

R.: …….

V.: The hotel is big. How do I get there?

R.: …….

* * *

V.: ………?

R.: Yes, sir. Do you want a single or a double room?

V.: ……?

R.: $.......... per person a night.

V.: ………?

R.: No, sir. Service is 10% extra. We add it to the bill.

V.: …..?

R.: Yes, TV is included.

V.: ……?

R.: One paper can be sent up free.

Speaking

7. Make up dialogues on the basis of these situations.

1) You have failed to reserve a room in advance. Try to make the receptionist understand your position and register you at the hotel for several days.

2) You’ve just checked at the hotel for several days. Ask the receptionist what services the hotel offers, where you can have your meals, a newspaper to read, etc..

Writing

8. Fill in this registration form.

NAME OF HOTEL OR INN OR ADDRESS OF HOUSE_____________________________________

TO BE FILLED IN IMMEDIATELY ON ARRIVAL

1.Surname _______________________________________________________________________________

2.Christian Names __________________________________________________________________________________

3.Nationality_____________________________________________________________________

4.Date

of arrival________________________________________________________________________

5.Sex___________________________________________________________________________

6.Particulars of Registration Certificate or Passport________________________________________

Issued at__________________________Number________________________________________

7. Arrived here from (give last address in full)______________________________________________

Signature of person to whom the above particulars relate____________

TO BE FILLED IN ON DEPARTURE

8.Date of departure____________________________________________________________________________

9.Destination (Give a new address in full) _________________________________________________

Signature of person to whom the above particulars relate________________________

Listening

9. Steve Sheridan is talking about his company’s new hotel project. Listen and complete the table below.

Follow up

10. Use the Internet or magazines to find information about hotels. Present your findings to the whole group.

11. In pairs or in groups work on the project “Hotel of my dream”. Prepare a computer presentation.

Unit 3

Business and Social Contacts.

Lead in

1. Discuss the following questions in pairs, then express your ideas to the group.

1) Which functions do businessmen usually take part?

2) Which of them are formal and informal?

3) What is the difference between them?

Reading

2. Read the text and find out meanings of the words in bold.

Distance is no obstacle today and personal contacts have become the most efficient means of promoting a better understanding in all spheres of human activity. Foreign trade is no exception.

Normally, businessmen keep in touch through correspondence or telephone calls, but there's no denying the fact that major problems can be solved more effectively through a personal meeting. Both parties have equal opportunities to hear out their counterpart's arguments and counterarguments and come to an agreement on the business in hand. Since a business trip is always limited in time, a businessman makes arrangements before his departure or immediately on arrival. Among other things he can make an appointment by telephone or by fax. In the counterpart's country a businessman can make an appointment in person. It is customary for businessmen to draw up a tentative programme of the points they would like to take up during the forthcoming meeting.

The programmes of the delegation's stay include a series of business talks and social meetings like a sightseeing tours, entertainment, visits to their counterpart's homes, etc. Visitors may have to attend a business lunch or a reception given in honour of the delegation.

These tips may come in handy for a businessman on a trip:

It is essential to be punctual in business. If you cannot keep the appointment you should notify your counterpart in advance and fix a new date.

On a formal occasion (talks, a working lunch, a reception) a business is expected to wear a suit and tie. Informal occasions (a sightseeing tour, an outing, a visit to a private home) do not call for formal clothes; one should be dressed casually.

Remember that it is always best to behave naturally. Jokes and humour are appreciated just as much as they are else.

Checking comprehension

3. Answer the following questions.

1) Why have personal contacts become very important nowadays?

2) How do businessmen maintain business contacts?

3) What is usually done to avoid loss of time?

4) In what way can you make an appointment?

5) What do the programmes of the delegation’s stay usually include?

6) What does a formal (informal) occasion imply? What clothes do they call for?

7) What qualities are highly valued in a businessman?

4. Read, translate and learn speech patterns.

SPEECH PATTERNS

Secretary speaking.

The sooner the better.

Can (could) I speak to Mr. X. , please?

Who’s calling?

Any time you say.

Will 2 p.m. be all right for you?

Have you met Mr. N.?

I haven’t had the pleasure.

Do you mind if we get down to business right now?

May I introduce you to…?

Make yourself comfortable.

Reading

5. Read and act out the following dialogues.

Making appointments by phone.

Russian visitor: Hello, is that the Metal Works Corporation?

Secretary: Yes, hello, Mr. Nobi's secretary speaking.

R.v. : This is Smolin of the Russian Economic Counsellor's office.

S.: Good morning, Mr. Smolin. What can I do for you?

R.v.: I'd like to arrange a meeting with your President, Mr. Nobi.

S.: When do you wish to see him, Mr. Smolin?

R.v.: The sooner the better. The matter is urgent.

S.: Will 10 o'clock tomorrow morning suit you?

R.v.: That will be fine. Thank you.

S.: Not at all, Mr. Smolin.

* * *

R.v.: Good morning, can (could) I speak to Mr. Adhanon, please?

S.: Good morning. Who's calling, please?

R.v.: This is the head of the Russian delegation.

S.: Oh, good afternoon, Mr. Ishutin. I'm sorry, Mr. Adhanon is out at the moment. Would

you like to leave a message or call back?

R.v.: I think I'd rather arrange to meet him.

S.: O.K. When could you come?

R.v.: Any time you say.

S.: Just a moment, I'll look in the diary. Yes, I can fix an appointment for you for tomorrow. That's Tuesday afternoon. Will 2 p.m. be all right with you? R.V.: Yes, thank you.

S.: What shall I tell Mr. Adhanon your business is about, Mr.Ishutin?

R. v.: It's about our deliveries under the Assembly Tractor Plant Contract.

S.: I see.

Coming for an appointment

R.v.: Good morning. I want to see the Managing Director.

S.: Good morning. Have you an appointment?

R. v.: Sorry, I haven't. I was driving by, so I decided to drop in. Is Mr. Din in?

S.: He is, but he's in conference. Will you wait or could you possibly come tomorrow, say at 10 o'clock?

R. v.: Well, you see, I'm here for one day only. The matter is urgent, so I don't mind waiting if Mr. Din can see me. Here's my card.

S.: Do take a seat. I'll tell Mr. Din about your request.

R. v.: Thank you so much.

Business talks

F. r.: Good morning, gentlemen. How are you?

R. v.: Good morning, Mr. Georgis. Fine, thank you, and you?

F. r.: Very well, thanks. Have you met Mr. Nur, head of your commercial department?

R. v.: No, I haven't had the pleasure. How do you do, Mr. Nur.

F. r.: How do you do, Mr. Smolin. It's nice to meet you. This way, gentlemen,

please. Will you sit down? Coffee or tea?

R. v.: Tea, please. It's a hot day, isn't it?

F. r.: Yes, you may find our climate a bit too hot. But I hope you'll enjoy your stay here all the same.

R. v.: I'm sure I will. Do you mind if we get down to business right now?

F. r.: Yes, time's getting short. Well, gentlemen, I don't think we need to read the minutes of the last meeting. Copies of them have been circulated to you.

R. v.: Yes, I've got a copy. There's no need to go over the same points. Let's proceed with the discussion of our Draft Contract for the delivery of chemical equipment. What shall we take up today?

F. r.: We're finished with the prices, but there are some comments on the delivery dates and guarantees.

R. v.: Is there anything you don't like about the delivery schedule? The dates are the shortest we can afford.

F. r.: But the project is a top priority one. We would ask you to speed up the deliveries.

R. v.: All right. We are always ready to cooperate where we can but we can't give our final reply before we get the manufacturers consent.

F. r.: How long will that take?

R. v.: About two weeks at the outside.

F. r: All right, we'll look at this again later.

R. v.: Then let's pass on to the guarantee clause. You are aware, I'm sure, that the equipment we offer you is highly sophisticated, reliable and easy to run. It's in great demand, you know, and on top of that, our guarantee period is accepted throughout the world.

F. r.: You sound very convincing, Mr. Smolin. Well, gentlemen, we've been 2 hours on the Draft Contract. How about, some lunch?

R. v.: That would be very welcome.

Speaking

6. Give a brief summary of each dialogue.

7. Keep the conversations going.

A.

- Hello, Mr. Sedov. Mr.Nur’s calling.

- Oh, hello, Mr. Nur. What can I do for you?

- I’m afraid, I won’t be able to keep the appointment with you on Thursday.

- Oh, is anything the matter?

- Yes, there’s be an emergency at one of our plants, so I have to go there right away.

- I see. Then……

B.

- Hello, secretary speaking.

- Hello. It’s Mr. Aman from Metal Works Corporation. Can you make an appointment for me to see Mr. Han?

- What time do you have in mind?

- How about Wednesday at three?

- I’m sorry, but he will be busy. ……..

Listening

8. Listen and write down George Colby’s appointments.

Mr. Davis

Day: _______________________

Time: ______________________

Ms. Andreou

Day: _______________________

Time: ______________________

9. George Colby makes some appointments. Listen. Complete the chart with his appointments.

Follow up

10. Imagine you are a businessman travelling on business. Make up a three-day programme of your stay in London. Include formal and informal occasions. Then tell the group about your business trip.

1st day.

Morning__________________________

Afternoon_________________________

Evening___________________________

2nd day

Morning __________________________

Afternoon _________________________

Evening ___________________________

3d day

Morning __________________________

Afternoon _________________________

Evening ___________________________

COMPANY ACTIVITIES

Unit 4

Forms of Business Organization

Lead in

1. Discuss the questions in pairs. Then present your ideas to the whole group.

What famous companies do you know?

What is their activity?

What other forms of business organization do you know?

Reading

2. Read the text. Find definitions of each form of business organization. Make a list of advantages and disadvantages of each form. Discuss them.

Forms of Business Organization

A Sole Proprietorship.

There are several forms of business organization. The most popular of them are: a sole proprietorship or individual proprietorship; a partnership; a corporation.

They all have their advantages and disadvantages.

A sole proprietorship is a business owned by one person. Sole proprietorships are the most numerous kind of business organization, but most are very small. The reason for their popularity is that they are the easiest and least costly to organize. There are other advantages. Sole proprietors own all the profits of their enterprises, they are their "own bosses", free to make whatever changes they please. They do not have to pay the special taxes placed on corporations. Sole proprietors also have the opportunity to achieve success and recognition through their individual efforts.

There are also disadvantages. A very serious one is the unlimited liability that each proprietor faces. All debts and all problems associated with the business belong to the owner. If a business fails the owner must personally assume the debts. A second disadvantage is that it has limited capital. The money is limited by the amount of his or her savings or ability to borrow. Other disadvantage may include lack of opportunities for employees, limitations of size and growth .

A Partnership.

A partnership is a business organization that is owned by two or more persons. Partnerships offer certain advantages over sole proprietorships:

- partners bring additional funds to a proprietorship,

- partners can bring fresh ideas and talents to business organizations,

- like the sole proprietorship, partnerships are relatively easy to form and are not subject to special taxation.

There are the following disadvantages:

-in many cases each of the partners is subject to unlimited liability. Partners are individually responsible for all the debts of the business. In other words, if the business were to fail, its creditors would have the right to recover their money from any, or all of the partners,

-the amount of capital that a partner can raise is limited. Exactly what that limit is will depend on the earnings of the business, the wealth of the partners and their ability to borrow;

- partners may disagree, causing management conflicts that could threaten the firm's existence.

A Corporation

A corporation is a business organization created under a government charter. Ownership of a corporation is represented by shares of stock and for that reason corporate owners are known as stockhokders.

Although corporations are outnumbered by about four to one by sole proprietorships, they dominate American business. Corporations are so important because of the advantages they offer over sole proprietorships and partnerships:

- limited liability. Unlike the owners of proprietorships and partnerships, who can be held personally liable for their debts, the most that corporate shareholders can lose (their liability) is limited to whatever they paid for their shares of stock (Ltd);

- ease of transfer. Stockholders can enter or leave a corporation at will simply by buying or selling shares of stock in that corporation;

-unlimited life .When the corporate stockholders die, their shares of stock are passed on to their heirs.

- tax advantages. In certain instances individuals can reduce their tax liability by incorporating.

Disadvantages of the corporation are:

- it is difficult and expensive to organize a corporation,

- corporations are subject for special taxes,

- corporations whose stock shares are sold to the public give up their privacy The law requires that these large, open (or public) corporations disclose information about their finances and operations to anyone interested in reading about them.

Speaking

3. Think over and say what form of business organization you would like to be engaged in and why.

4. Read and act out the dialogue.

Jim: Hi, Alice. How are you getting on?

Alice: Fine, as usual, thanks, Jim. What about you?

Jim: I’m OK. It’s nice to see you.

Alice: You too. I’m glad you are not in a hurry and we have time to talk today.

Jim: Sure.

Alice: Can you give me a piece of advice?

Jim: Well, I’ll try if I can.

Alice: You know I’ve been always good at cooking. It interests me. I am thinking of starting my own business – a café.

Jim: It might be a good idea.

Alice: I guess I must learn about the responsibilities of going into business.

Jim: Are you going into this business by yourself?

Alice: Exactly. I’d like to have a café with my name on it where I make the decisions and where I control the profits.

Jim: You seem to be resolute so I’ll try to help you. If you go into business alone, it is called sole proprietorship. In such case you needn’t consult a lawyer to form the business. You can start or you can stop your business whenever you like.

Alice: It sounds encouraging. What else can you tell me?

Jim: There is no need to consult partners or a board of directors. So you can put your policies into effect quickly. You decide on your vacation, hours, salary, hiring and firing.

Alice: Well, that’s not bad.

Jim: Wait a moment. I believe I have to tell you about the risk involved.

Alice: What do you mean?

Jim: First of all, the most important risk is that you have unlimited liability. It means that you are responsible for all your business debts.

Alice: So, if the business fails, I have to declare personal bankruptcy, don’t I?

Jim: That’s what I mean. You can lose your personal assets.

Alice: Well, it’s rather disappointing. What other things should I know?

Jim: You won’t get tax benefits which partners or corporations get.

Alice: I know about it. By the way do you know of a good accountant to do my taxes?

Jim: Of course. You’ll also have to hire a good book-keeper if you can’t do your books yourself.

Alice: I can’t say anything definite about that. I have to think it over. What else, Jim?

Jim: Well, I am a bit hungry, why don’t we have a snack together and discuss the things in the café.

Alice: You are right as usual.

5. Make up a similar dialogue about other forms of business organization.

6. Do you know that each company has its structure? What departments does a company have? Unjumble the letters in brackets to give the names of departments in a company.

COMPANY DEPARTMENTS

1. This department sells the products. (elass). sales

2. If there is a serious problem with late payments,

this department deals with it. (laleg)

3. This department sends all the bills, (toncacus)

4. This department makes the products, (nodurpocit)

5. This department deals with suppliers, (haspcurgin)

6. Employees are the first priority in this department.

(namuh escrouser)

7. Read the text. Are the statements below true or false? Mark them T or F.

COMPANY ORGANIZATION.

When most people hear the word Guinness, they think of the Irish beer of the same name, but in fact the Guinness company is now a multinational with a vast network of joint venture companies, distributors and subsidiaries, and an annual turnover of more than £4 billion. Its prod­ucts are sold in over 200 countries worldwide.

Guinness operates mainly in the alcoholic drinks market. Its brands include a number of famous names like Johnnie Walker, Bell's Scotch whisky, and Gordon's gin. It owns United Distillers, the most profitable spirits company in the world. It also has a 34% stake in Moet Hennessy, the French champagne and cognac company, whose owner, LVMH, has a 20% share in Guinness. About three quarters of Guinness group's profits come from spirits. Guinness beer (called 'stout') is produced in more than 50 countries, and sold in 150. For the moment, the beer company represents only 25% of the group's profits.

Apart from alcohol production, the company owns Gleneagles, the world-famous golf hotel in Scotland, and runs a division which publishes The Guinness Book of Records.

Guinness PLC is based in central London. The company has offices in over 50 countries around the world, with 23,000 employees. Tony Greener is the chairman of a Board which is made up of 6 executive and 6 non-executive directors.

* * *

a About 75% of Guinness' profits are from spirits.

b Guinness doesn't only operate in the drinks market.

с United Distillers is a shareholder of Guinness.

d Guinness owns LVMH.

e Guinness beer is made in more than 100 countries.

f The company produces The Guinness Book of Records at Gleneagles.
g The Head Office of Guinness PLC is in London,
h The Board of Directors has twelve members.

8. Find words or phrases in the text which mean:

a a company with subsidiaries in a number of countries

b value of sales in a year

с all over the world

d strong alcoholic drinks such as gin or whisky

e a minority share in a company

f controls / manages

g consists of

h the group of people who are responsible for company decisions

i not full-time and not responsible for day-to-day decisions

Vocabulary Work

9. For each question, choose a pair of words from the list to complete the spaces in the two sentences. Decide which of the two words you need for each space. The first is done for you as an example.

salesman/retailer consists/divided accountant/accounts

sells/buys produce/products share/subsidiary

education/training manufactures/factory

1 There are 300 machine operators in our factory.

The company manufactures children's toys.

2 The Purchasing department...... products.

Guinness......... its beer all over Europe.

3 The......... of staff in our company is the responsibility of

the Human Resources department.

Schools are responsible for children's.......

4 We......... 300 units per hour in our factory.

Bell's Whisky is one of our most profitable.....

5 We can't give you exact sales figures now because our. is on

holiday.

The tax inspector came last month to look at our......

6 ICL is a........ of the Japanese Fujitsu company.

LVMH has a large........ of the perfume market.

7 A......... has a shop which sells directly to the public.

A.......... is a person who sells to shops or companies.

8 Our electronics division is...... into a number of

autonomous companies.

The company......... of five operating divisions.

Follow up

10. Imagine you are going to start up your own company. Tell the class about its structure, departments, type of business etc. You may prepare a computer presentation.

Unit 5

Company History.

Lead in

1. Discuss the following questions in pairs.

What do you know about Canon company?

What do they produce?

What is its origin?

Listening

2. Before you listen, match the words on the left with the definitions on the right.

a start up 1 around the world

b a plant 2 grow bigger

c overseas 3 begin/establish (a company)

d entirely 4 factory, production centre

e expand 5 abroad, in a foreign country

f worldwide 6 completely

3. Listen to Mr. Cassidy telling about his company Canon. Complete the table below.

4. Listen to the text again and be ready to answer the following questions.

1) When did the company start up?

2) What was its origin?

3) How did they start in America?

4) Do they produce many of their products overseas? Where?

5) How big is the company now?

6) How many people work for this company worldwide?

Speaking

5. Using the information from the text tell about Canon company.

A FAMOUS COMPANY

6. Read this information about the Motorola company. Then complete the dialogue between Person A and Person В (an employee of Motorola). Choose words from the list.

COMPANY- PROFILE

MOTOROLA

Head office Schaumburg, Illinois, USA

Products Wireless communications, semi-conductors, advanced electronic systems

Turnover $ 22.2 billion

Profits $1 billion

Customers Computer manufacturers, electronics distributors, telephone companies, automobile

manufacturers

Employees 132,000

products offices employ located sell

specialize customers Motorola sales profits

A: Who do you work for?

B: Motorola

A: Isn't that an American company?

B: Yes, it is.

A: Do you work in the States?

B: No, I work in one of our...... ⁽²⁾ in Europe.

A: Where's it......... ⁽³⁾, exactly?

B: In Paris, France.

A: And you make electronic...... ⁽⁴⁾?

B: Yes, that's right. We....... ⁽⁵⁾ in wireless communications and advanced

electronic systems.

A: And who are your main....... ⁽⁶⁾?

B: We.......... ⁽⁷⁾ a lot to computer manufacturers.

A: How many people work for Motorola around the world?

B: In total, I think we....... ⁽⁸⁾ about 132,000 people.

A: And what's your annual turnover?

B: Well, this year we have...... ⁽⁹⁾ of $22.2 billion with

........ ⁽¹⁰⁾of $1 billion.

Follow up

7. Using the Internet or other resources prepare a presentation about any famous company.

Unit 6

Personal History. Motivation at Work.

Lead in

1. Work in pairs. Make a list of things that are important when choosing a job.

Eg. earning a lot of money

working for a big company

helping other people

2. Think over and express your opinion on the question. Why do people choose these jobs?

a teacher b banker c doctor d businessman

Reading

3. Read about the quotes from two people talking about their jobs. Check if you know the meaning of the words in bold. Which person is motivated by:

1 helping other people __________

2 earning a lot of money _________

Marie, accountant

I work in the finance department of a large company. There are a lot of benefits. For example, if the company makes a profit, all the employees get a bonus. There’s also a profit share, but that’s only for managers. I have a company car and I also travel abroad quite a lot – always business class and on expenses, of course. We also get a pension and private health insurance. The company pays for its staff to go on training courses to develop their professional skills. And we get free membership of the local gym. There are also rewards: it’s hard work, but I get a lot of satisfaction from it. People recognize it if you do a good job, so there are good prospects for promotion.

Tom, physiotherapist

I work for the health service. There are a lot of rewards; the main one is job satisfaction. I get a real sense of achievements when someone says “thank you”. You know you’re doing worthwhile job. If you work hard, there are opportunities for promotion. I like the responsibility of making a difference to people’s lives. There are some benefits. We don’t get bonuses or anything like that, but there’s a very good pension. The health service pays for us to go on training courses, and people with children get help with paying for childcare. If I visit patients at home, I get a travel allowance, but it’s not very much.

4. Look at the list of things that motivate people and mark the things Marie and Tom mention with letters M/T.

pension

training

profit share

expenses

company car

business class travel

private health insurance

bonus

travel allowance

subsidized childcare

job satisfaction

promotion

responsibility

gym membership

doing something worthwhile

Speaking

5. Which things in the list are benefits (extra things you get from your employer)? Which ones are rewards (things that make you feel good about the job)?

6. Imagine that you are applying for the position of a manager in a company. Ask your future employer about your responsibilities, working hours, benefits, salary, etc.

7. Interview any of your parents. Ask questions about benefits and rewards they have at their job. Tell the group about it.

Writing

8. Write a composition about the job you would like to have. Describe benefits and rewards of the job.

Listening

9. Listen to the radio interview with Mary O’Connor, who won the Young Businesswoman of the Year competition. Fill in the gaps in her resume.

Name: Mary Louise O’Connor

Date of birth:

Place of birth:

Nationality:

Education: Brodie High School, 1976 - …..

…………. University 1980 - ….

(majored in …………..)

Work experience: Financial Analyst, United General …………… ……..

1984 - ……

Started up “The Kind Face”

………… ……….., …….

Writing

10. You are going to write a resume. Look at the form below. Complete this form taking information from any of your parents.

Full name:

Address/telephone:

Date of birth:

Marital status:

Number of children:

Nationality:

Education:

Work experience:

Additional information:

11. These are headings and categories commonly used in CV(curriculum vitae).

marital status referees employment history permanent address

educational history skills title personal details hobbies and interests surname qualifications date of birth

Which one means:

A basic facts about you?___________

B practical abilities?_______________

C where you live most of the time?__________________

D what you do in your free time?_______________________

E when you were born?______________________________

F Mr, Mrs, Ms, Dr?_________________________________

G details about working life?__________________________

H if you are married or single?_________________________

I people who can tell us about your qualities and character?___________

J proof that you have successfully complete a course?________________

K school and colleges?___________________________________

L family name?___________________________________

12. Read the CV given below. Is there anything in common with a resume?

What is different?

Create your own CV using Tony’s as a guide.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Unit 7

Currency. Money.

Lead in.

1. Pronunciation/Reading/Writing Numbers

Whole numbers:

0 nought, zero, oh ( the first two variants are used in British English, the American practice is to use “zero”)

10 ten

100 a/one hundred

101 a/one hundred and one

135 a/one hundred and thirty five

400 four hundred

2,000 two thousand

60,000 sixty thousand

320,550 three hundred and twenty thousand, five hundred and fifty

7,600,200 seven million, six hundred thousand and two hundred

Decimals

0.5 point five, or nought point five

0.326 point three two six

Points are used for decimals and commas are used only when writing thousands.

Per cent

The symbol % is read as per cent.

20% interest rate – a twenty per cent interest rate

30% discount – a thirty per cent discount

2. Find out the answer to the question: What is the function of money? Present your findings to the rest of the group.

Reading

3. Read the text and compare your ideas with those from the text.

The main function of money is its acceptance as the means of payment or medium of exchange. At the same time it’s a standard of value, a store of value and a standard of payment. At different periods of time and in different parts of the world many different commodities served as money. They were: furs, leather, fish, tobacco, tea, salt etc. But in time they were superseded by precious metals – first by silver and then by gold.

Paper money first came into use in the form of receipts given by goldsmiths in exchange for deposits of silver and coins. After goldsmiths became bankers their receipts became banknotes. That’s how the first banknotes came into existence.

4. Match the extracts from the four conversations (a-d) with the places (1-4).

1 A travel agent’s 3 A currency exchange

2 A bar 4 A hotel

A_________________________

A: I’d like to change some Canadian dollars. Is the exchange rate the same as yesterday?

B: Yes, it is.

A: And what’s the commission?

B: It’s two per cent.

A: OK, can I change two hundred dollars, please?

B________________________________

A: Good morning. I’d like to settle my bill now.

B: Yes, sir. How would you like to pay?

A: Do you take traveller’s cheques?

B: I’m afraid not. We only take credit cards or cash.

A: I’ll pay by credit card, then. Is Visa OK?

B: Visa is fine. What’s your room number?

C__________________________________

A: Can we have the bill, please?

B: Yes, that’s € 27.50 altogether.

A: OK. Here’s fifty. Sorry, I don’t have anything smaller.

B: No problem.

A: Can I have a receipt, please?

B: Sure. Here’s your change and your receipt.

D_____________________________________

A: So, the total price is € 1,500 – that includes flights, hotel vouchers, and insurance.

B: That’s fine.

A: I need to take a ten per cent deposit now. You can pay the balance later.

B: OK, here’s my credit card.

Vocabulary Work

5. Complete the definitions (1-10) with the words below. They all appear in bold in the dialogues in Exercise 4.

· Cash

· Credit card

· Traveller’s cheque

· Change

· Commission

· Deposit

· Exchange rate

· Bill

· Receipt

· Insurance

1. The _______________________ is extra money that you pay for a service.

2. A ___________________ is a piece of paper that shows how much you must pay.

3. A ____________________ is a sum of money which is the first payment for something.

4. __________________________ is money in the form of notes or coins.

5. ____________________________ is money you pay to protect yourself against something bad happening.

6. A _______________________ is a piece of paper that shows how much you have paid.

7. A __________________________ is a cheque you can exchange for foreign money.

8. A ___________________________ is a plastic card you can use to pay for things.

9. _____________________________ is the money you get back if you pay more than something costs.

10. The __________________________ is the value of one currency compared to another.

6. Who says these things, the customer(C) or the person (P) serving them? Write C or P near each saying.

1. Can I have a receipt, please?

2. How would you like to pay?

3. Can you tell me the exchange rate for Canadian dollars?

4. Do you take traveller’s cheques?

5. Here’s your change and your receipt.

6. We only take credit cards or cash.

7. Can we have the bill, please?

8. I need to take a ten per cent deposit.

9. Can I change two hundred dollars, please?

10. That’s €27.50 altogether.

11. The total price is € 1,500.

12. And what’s the commission?

13. Is Visa OK?

14. Sorry, I don’t have anything smaller.

Speaking

7. Work in pairs. Look at the information below and role play the situations. Take it in turns to be the customer and the person serving.

Customer

1. You want to change US$150 into euros.

2. You want to settle your hotel bill and pay by Euro-cheques.

3. You want the bill and the receipt. You only have a €50 note.

4. You’ve just booked a holiday. You have two credit cards, Visa and Amex.

Person serving

1. The exchange rate for US$ is 0.87. The commission is 3% for amount up to €200, and 1.5% for higher amounts.

2. The bill is € 490.00. You only take cash or credit cards.

3. The bill is €19.00.

4. The total price is €2,500. You need a 20% deposit. You take Visa and Mastercard, but not Amex.

Unit 8

Global brands.

Lead in

1. Discuss the following questions:

What is a brand?

What famous brands do you know?

What do they sell?

2. Read the definition taken from Longman Dictionary of Business English. Compare it with yours.

brand COM.&IND. originally an owner’s mark, made by burning, on cattle, etc. but now a maker’s name, trade-mark or sign, usually officially registered and protected, put on goods to make it easy for buyers to recognize the make or quality. Local brand, a brand of product sold locally, usually in the area in which it is manufactured. National brand, one sold all over the country.

A brand has a USPs (Unique Selling Points), specific features which set them apart from its competitors.

Reading

3. Read Parts A and B of the text and answer the questions.

Part A

Big companies spend millions of dollars on developing their brand and designing their logo. Market research shows that more and more people are paying attention to the brand of the things they buy. Why? Because global brands like Pepsi have ideas and values connected with them.

Some people are very loyal to one brand because of the ideas and values associated with it. For example, some makes of car are associated with quality or reliability.

Other people are buying an image of themselves – the brand you use says what kind of person you are. Drinking Pepsi Max means you want to get the most from life – you want freedom and adventure, and therefore you are an exciting person. Wearing Nike trainers or sports clothes is all about individual achievements; you can do anything you want – just do it.

Part B

We asked some brand-conscious shoppers what brands they buy, and why.

Kate,16: I wear these trainers because all my friends wear them. It’s important to be cool.

Tom,27: This car tells people I’m successful. My business

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