Listening Developing a strategy

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 500.

A. You will hear an interview with Marjorie Scardino, Chief Executive of the

media group Pearson plc. Before you listen, choose the best definition for

each of the italicized words below.

1. The assets of the company are

a. the customers they have.

b. the things they own.

c. the markets they are in.

2. If a company improves its cash generation

d. it increases its sales revenue.

e. it has cash available at all times.

f. it invests more in its business.

3. If a company disposes of an asset, it

g. values it.

h. keeps it.

i. sells it.

4. If companies have an authoritarian way of management

j. the management give responsibility to workers at lower levels.

k. the management keep tight control over everyone and everything.

l. the management have many ways of communicating with employees.

5. If you stitch two materials together, you

m. separate them.

n. cut them.

o. join them.

B. Listen to the first part of the interview and make notes. Answer the

questions.

1. Before developing a strategy, the management thought about five things. What

are they?

2. Their strategy consisted of three simple steps. What are they?

C. Now listen to the second part of the interview. Which of the trends

below are mentioned.

1. Companies are becoming more international.

2. Employees are becoming more valued by management.

3. Employees are working more in teams.

4. Management are having more control over staff.

5. Management are changing their style.

D. Answer these questions.

1. What strategies impress Marjorie Scardino?

2. What three points does she make about Coca-Cola's strategy?