Summarising the argument

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 401.

Interrupting

Warning

Expressing doubts

Identifying the central issue

Let's get to the bottom of this.

Let's try to identify the main problem here.

What's the underlying issue here ?

I have some reservations about that.

That's oversimplifying it.

I'm not so sure.

Unless we improve training now, we'll fall behind our competitors.

Act now or it'll be too late.

Our business will suffer if...

Excuse me. May I come in here ?

May I interrupt ?

Before you go on, could I say this ?

Just a minute. Can I say something here ?

What I'm trying to say is that..

What I'm getting at is that...

In a nutshell, what I am arguing is that...

Task II.Write your variants of continuing the phrases.

Task Ш. Find in the unit phrases, illustrating the above-mentioned steps.

Task IV.Fill in the gaps with proper phrases, reproduce the dialogue :

- OK, (signalling the start) . (Setting the agenda). One, presentation of our new product. Item 2, financing the programme for this product. (Setting objectives) work out a plan of actions for the next two months. Can we start with item 1? (Assigning roles).

- Well, (updating) that our R&D Department has made the major breakthrough and now they are ready with the prototype of the HHS. Its technical advantages are beyond any expectations. All we need now is money to finance the programme.

- (Interrupting). (Expressing doubts). The problem is that the extra funding is beyond our present resources.

- (Signalling a new topic) item 2. (Giving opinions) our major objective now is to expand our capital by issuing new shares. (Asking for opinions).

- (Agreeing and disagreeing). But (identifying the central issue). The problem is that our shares can attract too few shareholders.

- (Conceding and making points). Visitron is about to undertake major new growth based on new products. We must persuade our shareholders that Visitron's shares can be a very profitable investment.

- (Agreeing and disagreeing). But (warning).

- Right then. Let's now think" of the proper ways of attracting new shareholders.

Task V.Simulation

As part of a major restructuring scheme, Visitron's new board has set up a task force of three senior managers to study the possibility of relocating the company's three manufacturing plants on one site. Each member of the task force has gathered information on one site. The Corporate Planning Director now wants you to report your recommendations on relocation and manpower reductions. Hold a meeting, agree a plan for workforce reductions and make a decision on the centralisation of production. Use the memo below.

From: Director of corporate planning

To:Task force members

Subject: Company restructuring targets to 1990

MayI now confirm that the new management has established the following medium-term targets:

1. Total workforce to be cut to 6,000 from the present 9,100.

2. Production of all machines and components to be centralised on one site.

3. Expansion of Small Unit division capacity by 25 % to support new long-term targets.

Present situation

UNIT 3. DEBATING THE ISSUES

Vocabulary Tasks

Task I. Define the meaning of the following words and expressions, translate them into Russian:

1. poor product innovation

2. a shift in demand towards

3. on one's own doorstep

4. flip chart

5. quota restrictions *

6. greenfield site *

7. to brief

8. paramount (of paramount importance)

9. to handle

10. to backfire on smb

11. option

12. cumulative cashflow *

13. break-even point *

14. rival

15. payback period *

16. at a knock-down price *

17. royalty *

18. profit margin

19. to back smb

20. asset

21. a joint venture *

* definitions are available in the glossary

Task II. Translate the sentences into Russian

1. Kamakura's share of the global Small Unit sector was expected to fall over the next decade because of uncompetitive prices and poor product innovation.

2. Hamilton's second point related to the shift in regional demand towards the Far East markets.

3. Kamakura would be unable to take advantage of the situation on its own doorstep.

4. Finally, Hamilton summarised his conclusions on the flip chart.

5. Competition from Hyperscan, the rising Yen and quota restrictions limited sales which meant that any greenfield site in Europe was uneconomic.

6. After the briefing on Kamakura, Highsmith's views on the financial issues became paramount.

7. If they saw it as a short cut to global markets, it would definitely backfire on us.

8. As I see it, we've got two options here.

9. This chart compares the cumulative cash flow of a global VS10 joint venture with the cash flow of a Visitron licensing strategy.

10. The main advantage is that it minimises our risk and brings an early break-even point.

11. Licences will bring us an early and positive cash flow and reduce our payback period on investment

12. You'd be selling off our major asset at a knock-down price.

13. The difference between a licensing royalty and a shared profit margin could be as little as two and a half per cent.

14. Will anything less than full global collaboration with Kamakura convince the stockholders to back us against Hyperscan ?

15. Licences will give our rivals a competitive advantage.

16. It would all depend on how we handled it

17. My original negotiations with Kamakura were on the basis of a Small Unit joint venture in Europe.

Task III. Translate the sentences into English:

1. Я считаю, необходимо воспользоваться тем, что спрос переместился в сторону небольших компактных магнитофонов.

2. Медленное обновление ассортимента может привести к тому, что мы утратим преимущество на собственном рынке.

3. Так как товар простоял в порту несколько недель, и его качество ухудшилось, он был продан за бесценок.

4. Высокие ограничения на ввоз товара привели к осложнениям в отношениях между этими двумя странами.

5. Участок под строительство обойдется нам в кругленькую сумму и отсрочит переломный момент, по крайней мере, на три месяца.

6. Нужно во что бы то ни стало сократить период окупаемости
этого проекта, иначе мы просто разоримся.

7. Если мы не сумеем как следует контролировать ситуацию, все наши планы обратятся против нас самих.

8. В настоящий момент наши разработки являются основным достоинством компании. Правильно воспользоваться ими является делом первостепенной важности.

9. Не могли бы вы кратко проинформировать нас о планах наших соперников, известных вам ?

10. Во время семинара консультант часто пользовался доской с бумажными листами. Особенно хорошо был проиллюстрирован анализ совокупного денежного потока для нашего главного проекта.

11. Я не думаю, что этот вариант нам подходит. Уже сейчас ясно, что разница между себестоимостью и прибылью будет настолько низкой, что мы не сможем финансировать дальнейшее развитие проекта.

12. Мы решили организовать совместное предприятие по производству безалкогольных напитков.

Task IV. Make up your own sentences using the vocabulary of the unit.