Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
GLOBALIZATION
Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should
- be familiarized with specific vocabulary dealing with international trade and
globalization
- recognize and practice the vocabulary from the lesson
- be familiarized and use the tenses of the Indicative Mood correctly
SECTION A: INTRODUCTION
Pre-questions
1. How many of the items you have worn, used, eaten and drunk today come
from another country?
2. What do you understand by globalization? Do you think it has had any effect
on you as consumer?
1. The following texts are about globalization and how it affects businesses. Read
them and identify which one is:
a. in favour of globalization
b. neutral
c. against globalization
1.
How noble is global?
5
people, sharing of information and ideas brought about in part by the Internet. 160
million people are now connected to email. 400 million people now travel each
year to another continent, admittedly at great cost to the environment one
passenger journey produces as much pollution as a family car in one year.
2.
3.
As an indication of the size and importance, the turnover of four of the biggest
transnationals, General Motors, Ford, Exxon, and Shell exceeds that of the whole
of Africa. Microsoft has optimized its operations to the extent that it is now larger
than many national economies (e.g. Switzerland). Twenty-five years ago there
were 7,000 transnationals; today there are 40,000. 90% are in the industrialised
world. The top 500 companies control 7% of world trade, 80% of foreign
investment and 30% of GNP. The combined turnover of the ten largest
transnationals exceeds the GNP of a large group of Third World countries.
6
2. Complete the following sentences using appropriate words from the texts in
exercise 1. You will have sometimes to change the from of the word, as in the
model:
b. The economy of many Asian and Latin American countries has g________
and d________.
c. The Internet and email mean that people can sh________ ideas and
knowledge.
d. Tr________ between continents is much more widespread.
e. A few small companies can d________ an entire global industry.
f. The environment suffers from the p________ caused by the great increase
in air travel.
g. In some cases, small countries can d________ too heavily on a single
transnational company.
h. Global companies can ab________ their economic power by failing to
pl________ b________ their profits into the economies of the countries in
which they operate.
3. Identify the sentences in the previous exercise that refer to the advantages of
globalization and to its disadvantages and write next to them (A) and (D),
respectively. In groups of 3-4 students, discuss other advantages and
disadvantages of globalisation.
GOING GLOBAL
4. a. Before reading the text, answer and discuss the following questions:
What do you know about Boeing?
Where is its head office?
What do you think in-plant and out-plant mean?
7
b. Now read the article excerpted from the Financial Times and check your
answers.
Boeing is the worlds most successful
PHILIP CONDIT, CHAIRMAN OF BOEING TALKS aircraft maker.
ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF TURNING BOEING INTO
A GLOBAL COMPANY
Condit believes, however, that Boeing
Flight plan from Seattle cannot stand still. There are too many
examples in aviation and other sectors of
In the last thirty years, Philip Condit says, what has happened to companies that
They take the same attitude to anywhere in described his vision of what the group
the US outside Seattle, where the would look like in 2016, its centenary
company has its headquarters and its most year. He told them that Boeing would be
important factories. Boeing staff talk about an aerospace company. It would not
In-plant means Seattle. Out-plant means to enter the train or boat-building business.
February, wants to change all that. Over impressed, he says, by the way in which oil
the next 20 years, he wants Boeing to companies have benefited from losing
forgiven for thinking that being a Seattle interesting to see that in the US its
company has served them well enough. nationality has begun to disappear. Almost
8
everybody in the US says BP and not
British Petroleum. It is a local kind of
company. Royal Dutch/Shell is another
group which manages to present itself as a
local company in the countries in which it
operates.
9
5. Which of the statements are true? Correct the false ones.
6. When a company globalizes, it tries to choose the best method to enter its
overseas markets. Match the methods below with the definitions.
7. Complete the following sentences with some of the methods listed in the
previous exercise.
10
2. When the Japanese tyre group Bridgestone entered the US market, it made an
________, buying the local production base of Firestone.
3. If a company wishes to enter the Chinese market, it usually looks for a
________ who will cooperate in setting up a joint venture.
4. If a company is short on capital to expand overseas, it may prefer to have
________ or ________ agreements with local businesses.
11
SECTION B:
LANGUAGE FOCUS - THE TENSES OF THE INDICATIVE MOOD
Present Tense
Form:
To form affirmative statements:
Use the base form of the verb with I, you, we, they.
I work in a commercial bank.
You own a business.
We make loans to businesses.
Businesses often need money.
With he, she, it, (3rd person singular), to the base form of the verb -s or -es is
added [-es is added after verbs which end in o, -ss, -x, -sh, (t)ch, consonant+
y: (y turns into i and adds -es)]
Edward designs clothes.
Martha sells clothes.
Her store opens at 10.
To form negative statements, subject + do not/does not (= don't/doesn't) + base form
of the verb is used.
do not (= don't) + base form of the verb with I, you, we, they.
I don't speak French.
does not (= doesn't) + base form of the verb with he, she, it.
He doesn't speak English.
To form Yes/No questions,
do + subject + base form of the verb with I, you, we, they is used:
Do you need a ride home?
does + subject + base form of the verb with he, she, it is used
Does it ever snow in Florida?
A Yes/No question is often answered with a short answer.
Yes + subject pronoun + do/does.
A: Do I need a visa to enter the country?
12
B: Yes, you do.
13
future reference after some subordinating conjunctions
I'll call you when I get to San Francisco.
While is used for an event that is interrupted by or occurs at the same time as
another event.
I'll make some phone calls while you finish your report.
are + verb + -ing with the 1st person plural, 2nd person singular plural, 3rd
person plural
We're trying to finish by Tuesday.
To form negative statements, subject + am/is/are + not + verb + -ing is used. Short
forms are normally used in conversation.
I'm not driving to work today.
The headlights on the car aren't working.
It isn't raining, so maybe I'll walk.
To form Yes/No questions, am/is/are + subject + verb + -ing is used.
Am I waiting in the right place?
Is Mr. Jackson interviewing the candidates?
Are you applying for a position?
Are they making a decision today?
A Yes/No question is often answered with a short answer.
Yes + subject pronoun + am/is/are (no short form)
A: Are you enjoying your visit?
B: Yes, I am.
No + subject pronoun + am/is/are + not (using a short form in the negative):
A: Are you staying long?
14
B: No, I'm not.
A: Is it still raining?
B: No, it isn't. OR No, it's not.
15
There are some verbs which cannot be normally used with the continuous
(progressive) aspect.
states of being, seeming, having, or owning
The factory is twelve years old, but it still looks (= appears) new.
Does this belong to you?
feelings
I like your new car.
mental states, such as thinking or believing
I think I know the answer.
the senses and perception
He heard someone screaming.
wants and preferences
She prefers to work by herself.
FEELINGS POSSESSION NEEDS AND
PREFERENCES
appreciate belong need
care have prefer
dislike own want
doubt possess wish
feel
hate THOUGHTS
hope agree
like believe
love consider
respect disagree
trust expect
guess
SENSES know
feel recognize
hear remember
look suspect
notice think
see understand
smell wonder
sound
taste
Past Tense
16
Form of the Simple Past
To form affirmative statements, use a simple past tense verb after the subject. The
form is the same for all subjects.
Regular verbs add -ed or -d to form the simple past tense.
I visited Maggie yesterday.
She moved to a new apartment last week.
Some verbs are irregular. Their past forms cannot be predicted. You must
learn them.
We ate dinner out.
Then we went to a movie.
To form negative statements, use subject + did not (= didn't) + base form of the verb.
I looked for her, but I didn't see her in the crowd.
She didn't stay long, because she had a headache.
To form Yes/No questions, use did + subject + base form of the verb.
Did you have any trouble finding us?
Did anyone call while I was out?
A yes/no question is often answered with a short answer.
Yes + subject pronoun + did
A: Did you get my message?
B: Yes, I did.
No + subject pronoun + didn't
A: Did Rosa say where she was going?
B: No, she didn't.
To form a wh-question, use a question-word (what, where, how, etc.) + did + subject +
base form of the verb.
Where did they go?
Why did he leave?
How long did you stay there?
17
actions or events that began and ended in the past. A time reference is
usually given or understood from the context.
I spoke to the contractor this morning.
We introduced two new products in January.
I played a lot of tennis when I was younger.
I never met my grandfather. (he is dead)
Who left the door open? (a moment ago-it is still open)
past habitual actions. A specific time period is usually given or understood.
My family rented a house at the beach every summer when I was a child.
He smoked a pack of cigarettes a day until he quit.
The past tense does not always refer to past time. It can also be used in present unreal
conditionals, expressing wishes, and in making polite requests.
I wondered if you could give me a ride. (more tentative or polite than I wonder if you
could give me a ride.)
In present unreal conditionals in the if clause:
something that is totally impossible in the present
If I knew the answer, I would tell you. (I don't know the answer.)
My mother died in 1994. If she were still alive, she'd be 67.
something that is possible, but perhaps not very likely
A: Could I look over the sales report?
B: It would be better if you waited until tomorrow. We'll have the final figures
then.
18
Use was + verb + -ing with I, he, she, it.
A: Can I come in?
B: Of course. I was expecting you.
19
Uses of the Past Progressive [Continuous]
Use the past progressive for:
actions or situations in progress at a point in the past
The picnic was cancelled yesterday because it was raining.
A: What were you doing between 8:00 and 10:00 that night?
B: I was watching television.
two past actions in progress at the same time
While I was looking at the sales figures, my assistant was answering some
e-mails.
At the time I was working in the bank, I was also studying engineering.
repeated actions
When he worked here, Patrick was always making mistakes.
polite requests
I was wondering if you could give me a ride.
events planned in the past to take place at a later time ("future in the past")
We were just going to leave when I fell and twisted my ankle.
(answering the phone) Hi, Annie. I was going to call you today.
Use the past progressive (continuous) together with the simple past for past actions
or situations interrupted by a shorter action or event.
The action in progress is often introduced by when, as, just as, or while.
Just as I was leaving the house, the phone rang.
He learned how to ski when he was living in Switzerland.
When can also introduce the shorter action.
We were having dinner when he walked through the door.
I was waiting for the bus when a blue car pulled up.
Present Perfect
20
To form affirmative statements, use subject + present of have + past participle.
Use have (= 've) + past participle with I, you, we, they
We're old friends. We've known each other since we were children.
Use has (= 's) + past participle with he, she, it
The weather has been great all week.
For regular verbs, the past participle has the same form as the simple past
tense
Andrew has worked for us for two years. Before that, he worked (= simple
past) for an advertising agency.
For irregular verbs, the past participle and simple past are often different
Interest rates rose (= simple past) again today. In the past six months, they
have risen almost 5 percent.
To form negative statements, use subject + have not/has not (= haven't/hasn't) + past
participle
I've tried calling several times, but I haven't been able to reach her.
The company has not made a profit for three years.
To form Yes/No questions, use have/has + subject + past participle.
Have you ever eaten Thai food?
Has Rebecca finished law school yet?
A Yes/No question is often used with a short answer.
Yes + subject pronoun + have/has:
A: Have you ever bought anything online?
B: Yes, I have.
21
To form wh-questions, use a question-word (what, where, how, etc.) + have/has +
subject + past participle.
Where has Victor been all morning?
How long have they known each other?
22
Notice that the present perfect is not usually used with adverbs referring to a period of
time that has ended. Use the simple past instead.
I haven't seen Ahmed today, but I saw him yesterday.
23
Use of the Present Perfect Progressive [Continuous]
Use the present perfect progressive for:
actions that began in the past and are still in progress
He has been looking for a job for over two months, but he hasn't found
anything yet.
I've been painting this room for two days and I'm still not done. (= unfinished
action)
Compare: I've painted this room three times and I still don't like it. (=
completed action)
actions that have recently stopped and have effects now
Let's go for a walk. I've been sitting most of the day.
repeated actions
The phone has been ringing all morning.
temporary actions or situations
I've been staying at my cousin's house, but I'm moving to my own house next week.
Past Perfect
24
No + subject pronoun + hadn't:
A: Had they met before then?
B: No, they hadn't.
25
Notice that the past perfect is not always needed to show which event came first.
Sometimes either the past perfect or simple past can be used.
After I (had) checked my schedule for the day, I returned some phone calls.
Form of the Past Perfect Progressive [Continuous]
To form affirmative statements, use subject + had (= 'd) + been + verb + ing
When I first met Joel, he'd been working at Global for five years.
We had been hiking all day and we were very hungry.
To form negative statements, use subject + had not (= hadn't) + been + verb + -ing
I had almost finished the work when I was told that I hadn't been doing it correctly.
To form Yes/No questions, use had + subject + been + verb + -ing.
Had you been getting enough sleep before you got sick?
A Yes/No question is often answered with a short answer.
Yes + subject pronoun + had
A: Had she been working for the company long when she retired?
B: Yes, she had. Fifteen years.
No + subject pronoun + hadn't
A: Had they been living in Paris for long at that time?
B: No, they hadn't.
To form wh-questions, use a question-word (what, where, how, etc.) + had + subject +
been + verb + -ing
Where had you been living before you moved to Chicago?
How long had you been studying English when you got the job?
26
actions that had recently ended and had an effect at a time in the past
He was very tired. He had been walking for hours.
The Future
Form of the Simple Future with will
To form affirmative statements, use subject + will + base form of the verb. The short
form 'll is usually used in conversation, especially after pronouns. I'll, you'll, he'll,
she'll, it'll, we'll, they'll.
I'll see you tomorrow.
The lawyers will review the contract next week.
To form negative statements, use subject + will not (= won't) + base form of the verb.
The short form is usually used in conversation.
Don't worry. I won't tell anyone.
They won't sign the contract until their lawyers see it.
You won't believe it, but I won the lottery!
To form Yes/No questions, use will + subject + base form of the verb.
Will the furniture be ready for delivery by the 15th?
A yes/no question is often answered with a short answer:
Yes + subject pronoun + will
A: Will patients have access to their medical records?
B: Yes, they will.
No + subject pronoun + won't
A: Will I be responsible for phone sales?
B: No, you won't.
To form wh-questions, use a question-word (what, where, how, etc.) + will + subject +
base form of the verb.
When will you find out if you got the job?
27
What time will the meeting end?
How will we get to our hotel from the airport?
Uses of the Simple Future with will
Use the simple future with will for:
making predictions
There's a lot to discuss. It will be a long meeting.
announcing decisions made at the moment of speaking
A: It's hot in here.
B: I'll open a window.
announcing scheduled events, especially in a formal style
The wedding will take place on June 27th.
making promises
I won't leave without you.
expressing hopes, expectations, and beliefs (e.g., after assume, believe, doubt,
expect, hope, suppose, think)
I hope she'll get the job.
28
No + subject pronoun + won't
A: Will Dr. Leon be giving tomorrow's lecture?
B: No, she won't.
To form wh-questions, use a question-word (what, where, how, etc.) + will + subject +
be + verb + -ing.
When will you be taking the test?
Where will you be staying in Boston?
Uses of the Future Progressive [Continuous] with will
Use the future progressive for:
actions that will be in progress at a time in the future
We'd better hurry. The guests will be arriving at any minute.
By this time tomorrow, I'll be lying on the beach.
making a question about plans sound more polite
Will you be working late tonight?
When will you be seeing Dr. Weiss? (e.g., assistant to supervisor)
Compare: When will you finish these letters? (e.g., supervisor to assistant)
talking about planned events
The bus won't be leaving until six.
We'll be spending the summer in California.
Form of the going to Future
To form affirmative statements, use subject + am/is/are + going to + base form of the
verb.
I'm going to meet with the software developer tomorrow.
He's going to submit a revised proposal by the end of the week.
They're going to install the new system in two weeks.
To form negative statements, use subject + am/is/are + not + going to + base form of
the verb. Short forms are normally used in conversation.
I'm not going to cook tonight. We're eating out.
We aren't going to walk into town. It's too hot.
It isn't going to cool off until the weekend.
To form Yes/No questions, use am/is/are + subject + going to + base form of the
verb:
29
Is she going to accept the job?
Are you going to tell him the truth about what happened?
A Yes/No question is often answered with a short answer.
Yes + subject pronoun + am/is/are
A: Are they going to replace the damaged goods?
B: Yes, they are.
No + subject pronoun + am/is/are + not (using a short form in the negative)
A: Are you going to be around this weekend?
B: No, I'm not.
To form wh-questions, use a question-word (what, where, how, etc.) + am/is/are +
subject + going to + base form of the verb.
Which shoes are you going to wear to the party?
When is Helen going to be back at work?
30
Use Yes + subject pronoun + will (have)
A: Will the meeting have started by the time we get there?
B: Yes, it will.
No + subject pronoun + won't (have)
A: Will you have finished the report by then?
B: No, I won't have.
To form wh-questions, use a question-word (what, where, how, etc.) + will + subject +
have + past participle.
When will you have finished paying off your loan?
31
B: Yes, I will (have).
C: No, I won't (have).
To form wh-questions, use a question-word (what, where, how, etc.) + will + subject +
have been + verb + -ing.
How long will you have been working there at the end of next year?
Use the future perfect progressive for actions that will be in progress at a time in the
future.
By this time next week, I will have been working for this company for twelve years.
32
PRACTICE
a. Its raining / rains very hard. Can you give me a lift home?
b. I dont have / am not having much spare time at the moment. Im
studying / study to pass an exam.
c. The price of shares varies / is varying according to economic
conditions.
d. I speak / am speaking French fluently because I grew up in Paris, but
Im forgetting / forget my German because I never use it.
e. Anne normally deals / is dealing with enquiries from overseas, but Im
dealing / deal with this one.
a. I slept / was sleeping when the fire alarm went / was going off.
b. A: Then we went to the pub.
B: What did you do / were you doing after that?
c. We did / were doing business with them on a few occasions.
33
d. They lived / were living in Paris first, then Bonn and then they moved /
were moving to Prague.
4. Underline the correct form of the verb, using the information in the sentences
below:
a. I didnt know he used / was using Powerpoint. (I didnt know he knew how to
use Powerpoint)
b. I left / was leaving the room when my boss came in. (I probably didnt want to
see my boss)
c. As I told / was telling you yesterday. (I probably have something more to tell
you)
d. They asked me what I did / was doing. (They wanted to know what my job
was)
5. Complete the expressions with for or since, as appropriate and then put them
in sentences of your own.
6. Put the verbs in italics in the news report into right tense.
Devco announced / have announced that they are going to buy their
competitors QXT. QXT is / has been in serious financial problems for
over a year last quarters profits were / have been down again by 60%.
In a statement released earlier today Devcos CEO, Alfonso Fuente, said
/ has said: We had / have had a lot of support from QXT shareholders
34
and I assured / have assured them at the shareholders meeting last
week that Devco will do everything to turn the situation around within at
most six months. QXT union members are not / have not been so
confident. In a meeting last Friday they revealed / have revealed that
they are / have been worried about their jobs since news of a possible
takeover has been / was leaked to the press earlier this year.
a. I have written / been writing emails all morning I have written / been
writing 20 so far.
b. We have received / been receiving no reply to our request for information.
35
c. He has worked / been working for several different companies. He has
worked / been working for his current company for six months.
d. He has worked / been working too hard thats why hes always so tired.
e. They have known / been knowing each other since they were at school
together.
9. Read these extracts from emails and letters. Put the verbs between parentheses
into the correct tense:
1.
I hear you (have) problems with the new system. Sorry about this. I (speak) to the
Systems Manager and she (promise) to get back to you by lunchtime. She also (ask)
me if you could send her the log file.
2.
Thanks for buying me lunch yesterday. Great to see you. It made a nice change as I
(be) so busy lately. By the way, I (forget) to ask you if you could give me your bosss
email address. We (work) on a project recently which I think she would be interested
in. Anyway take care and speak to you soon.
3.
We note from our records that we still not (receive) any payment of our invoice dated
3 March, reference number ZX45791. I would like to point out that this is the third
time we (request) payment. I would be grateful if you contact me about this as a
matter of urgency. I (try) to ring you several times and I (leave) several messages with
your secretary. I enclose a further copy of our invoice.
36
d. I thought / had thought that I told / had told you already.
11. Underline the correct form of the verb, using the information in the sentences
below:
a. I remembered that Jo worked / had worked for IBM. (Jo doesnt work for
IBM now)
b. I realized the boss was / had been in the next room. (I could hear the bosss
voice)
c. They asked me if I came / had come from Beijing (They wanted to know
about my journey)
d. When her husband left / had left for work she phoned her mother. (She
often phoned her mother)
12. Underline the most appropriate form of the verb in italics. In some cases
more than one form may be possible.
37
The year is 2097 and some space scientists from around the world are meeting
to discuss what they have already prepared for future projects.
We are preparing / will prepare to send a rocket to Pluto, announced the
Americans. It is having / will have six men aboard and is staying / will stay
for a whole month before making the long trip back to Earth.
Thats nothing! said the Russians. Next week we are launching / are going
to launch our spaceship containing 200 men and women to Uranus. We will
probably start / are probably going to start a colony there.
Our country is beating / will beat you both, said the British scientist. We
will / are going to send a rocket straight to the Sun.
How are you going to do / are you doing that? said the American and
Russian scientists. The rocket is going to / will melt before it gets there. No,
it isnt / wont, replied the British scientist. We will / are going to send it up
at night.
13. Complete the following sentences using will, going to, or the present
continuous of the verb in brackets:
38
14. Underline the correct form of the verb, using the information in the sentences
below:
39
C. EXAM FOCUS
40
a. inherited
b. was inheriting
c. had inherited
9. The board......all staff a 10% pay rise because the company had done very well that
year.
a. awarded
b. would award
c. had awarded
10. How long.........when she finally retired?
a. did she work
b. had she been working
c. has she been working
11. of the economy has brought immense benefits to countries
a. Globalization / advanced
b. Glocalization / poor
c. Globalizing / industrialized
12. One of the . of globalization is the .connecting of people.
a. benefices / spreading
b. benefits / widespread
c. beneficiaries / widespreading
13. As an indication of the size and importance, the of four of the biggest
transnationals, General Motors, Ford, Exxon, and Shell exceeds that of the whole of
Africa.
a. turning over
b. turnout
c. turnover
14. Boeing would be a . enterprise, increasing the number of of operation.
a. global / employers
b. global / countries
c. global / machines
15. An means buying or taking over another company.
a. acquisition
41
b. acquiescence
c. acquiring
CHAPTER 2
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Objectives:
At the end of this unit students should
- be familiarized and able to discuss qualities of a good communicator
- recognize and practice the vocabulary of business communication
- be familiarized with and use the Conditional and Subjunctive Moods in
English
SECTION A: INTRODUCTION
Starting up
What makes a good communicator? Choose the three most important factors.
42
_________________
1. Which of the forms of written and spoken communication below do you use
most
in Romanian?
in English?
written spoken
e-mails conversations
faxes interviews
letters meetings
memos negotiations
minutes phone calls
reports presentations
What kinds of problems may occur with some of the forms of communication
above? Think about:
formality/informality
jargon
standard ways of doing things
technology
tone of voice
43
visual gestures
44
1. Which words below apply to good communicators and which apply to bad
communicators? Add two adjectives of your own to the list.
articulate coherent
eloquent fluent
focused hesitant
hesitant inhibited
realistic persuasive
rambling responsive
sensitive independent
. .
45
j) liking consensus and conciliation
Read the interview with Penny Logier, Retail Director at the London-based
communications agency MediaComTMB, and answer these questions.
1. What two factors have improved communication between companies and their
customers?
2. What does Penny Logier say about e-mail?
3. What is an intranet?
46
I: Can you think of any examples of when a breakdown in communication has
seriously affected a business?
PL: Yes, I can think of a number of instances where we, as a company, have
nearly lost a client because there has been a fundamental breakdown in
communication. What I mean by that is that youve got two individuals who are
not really either hearing or listening. In other words, there has been a breakdown
in understanding.
PL: No. Communication is the key. People have to understand what you are
trying to tell them to do. They have to have a long term strategy in terms of their
career development. People can talk to you on a one-to-one basis. You actually
encourage confidence then and get a rapport and a relationship with the
individual.
47
Could you look into the matter?
Please can you check with
48
Case Study: Communication consultants
Discuss these questions.
1. How much and in what ways is information shared within your company? Think
about:
a. the means of sharing information
e.g. emails, memos, meetings
b. where information goes
e.g. between departments, top-down, (senior management to
employees) and bottom up (employees to senior management).
c. types of information
e.g. procedural/organizational how systems work within the
company, who is responsible for what.
motivational/managerial sales or production targets,
contracts and orders, sales figures
personnel salaries, staff appointment
2. How effective do you think your companys external communications are/ think
about the company image. Read the text about a companys communication problems.
A rapidly expanding European company which sells software programs is
experiencing severe communications problems. The company has just opened
offices in Sydney, Australia. The MD (Managing Director) has to spend a lot
of time out of the office. He has too much work to do but is reluctant to
delegate. He prefers not to waste time holding internal meetings. He has not
had time to meet many of the newest members of staff. There is no formal
management structure within the company.
The company is expanding rapidly and needs to recruit at least 20 new staff.
The MD has previously selected all new personnel but now hasnt time. In
addition the last two new recruits both resigned after two months as they felt
they were not experienced enough for the posts and were not given enough
training. 50% of the 40 employees are non-native speakers who have just
relocated from various parts of Europe and Asia. Internal office relations are
not good and staffs are working under great pressure. Teams work in small
groups but without knowing what other people within the company do.
The MD is particularly worried about the high turnover in staff and the poor
office relations.
49
Task:
Work in groups. You are a team in a company of consultants who specialize in
improving the way companies communicate both internally with employees
and also externally with clients. Look at the following questions.
Produce the following, and decide in what form you would present each item to
the company (email, presentation, etc.)
some general initial advice you would offer the MD
a short-term action plan, with suggested actions listed in order of priority
what types of training courses you would recommend
what further information you would need to be able to offer long-term
solutions
50
SECTION B:
LANGUAGE FOCUS CONDITIONALS.
THE SUBJUNCTIVE.
Conditional situations are where one action / event depends on another action/event
happening or not happening. We often use conditional structures in business
negotiations, where we want to make proposals.
Conditional sentences have two parts or clauses.
Zero conditional
We use the zero conditional to describe scientific and natural laws and situations
that are always true.
If it doesnt rain for a long time, plants die.
We also use the zero conditional to give instructions or orders:
If the accountant calls, tell her to wait.
We use the present tense in the condition clause and also in the result clause.
If fuel prices rise, people use their cars less.
N.B. If the sentence begins with the condition clause, comma is used between it and
the result clause.
First conditional
We use the first conditional to talk about future situations that are possible, likely or
expected to happen. In business negotiations, we often use the first conditional to
make specific proposals.
If you increase the quantity, well give you a bigger discount.
We use the present tense in the condition clause and will + the infinitive in the result
clause.
51
If you deliver the goods next week, we will pay immediately.
In the result clause, we can use other modal verbs instead of will to show different
degrees of certainty, possibility, etc concerning the result.
If we buy a larger quantity, we may get a bigger discount.
In the first conditional sentences, be careful not to use will in the condition clause.
If we lower the price, (not If we will lower the price )
use:
stating a general rule
If can be used to say what generally happens when something else happens. Both
verbs in this type of sentence are in the present simple tense:
If you order in bulk, you usually get a discount.
If the paperwork is incomplete, the goods are often held up.
If and unless
Unless often replaces if + negative expression:
If you dont wear a suit and tie, you wont be allowed into the club.
You wont be allowed into the club unless you wear a suit and tie.
52
Second conditional
We use the second conditional to talk about the future situations that are seen as
impossible, unlikely or hypothetical.
In business negotiations, we often use the second conditional to explore areas of
agreement and disagreement.
Wed be prepared to lower our price if you placed a bigger order.
We use the past tense in the condition clause and would + infinitive in the result
clause.
If we reduced the price, we would sell more cars.
In the result clause, we can use other modal verbs instead of would to show different
degrees of certainty, possibility, etc concerning the result.
If we bought a larger quantity, we might/could get a bigger discount.
Use:
imagining
If + past simple is used to refer to less probable situations.
Would/should/could/might could precede the verb in the subordinate clause.
If every piece of mail were personalized with your company logo or message, your
customers might be very impressed.
Imagine what would happen if all the worlds stock exchanges crashed.
It is possible to use if I were or if I was in both formal and informal styles:
If I was rich, I would buy a house.
Bargaining
It is common to make hypothetical statements in negotiations. Compare:
a. If you give us 5 % discount, well make a firm order of 5,000 units.
53
(this is almost a promise)
b. If you gave us a 5% discount, wed make a firm order of 5,000 units.
(this is a more tentative offer)
Third conditional
We use third conditional to reflect on the past to say what would have happened if
things had been different.
We use the past perfect tense in the condition clause and would have + the past
participle in the result clause.
If Id known you were coming, Id have arranged a demonstration.
Use:
speculating about the past when talking about things which did not happen in
the past.
If the earnings ratio had been higher, I would have bought some shares.
If we had anticipated the crash, we wouldnt have lost so much money.
The merger could have succeeded if the management styles hadnt been so
different.
54
The presentation might have been better if she had felt more confident.
Alternatives to if
As soon as is similar to when, except that it implies that the result will happen
immediately the condition is met.
As soon as I hear the news, Ill tell you whether we won the award.
In case is often used when we think ahead about possible problems and try to
avoid by doing something in advance
Ill give you my mobile phone number in case you need to contact me.
Provided that and on condition that are used as more formal alternatives to if.
For example, they are often used in contractual or legal documents and in
formal negotiations.
Provided that you complete the installation on time, we will make a bonus
payment.
55
We will give you a full refund on condition that you return the products
undamaged.
56
Practice:
1. Write the words in the correct order to make zero conditional sentences:
If provide request it, we people enough a translator
.
If expands you heat, it metal
.
If fall usually increases Prices supply
.
If you window that button, the opens press
.
You regards him Give to Gerard if my see
.
2. Use your own ideas to complete the conditional sentences. Decide if they
should be zero or first conditional.
1. I can never sleep at night if
I drink too much coffee during the day.
2. If theres a good film on TV tonight,
.
3. If I have some free time this weekend, I
.
57
3. Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the verbs in the box:
If youll see John, please ask him where the file is.
58
THE SUBJUNCTIVE
We use the subjunctive form in certain fixed expressions and after some verbs which
express the idea of necessity, importance, etc. The subjunctive form can be used to
refer to events and situations in the past, present or future.
One form is the same as the infinitive without to. It does not show any marking for
tense and can be used to refer to events in the past, present or future.
We use it most often in that clauses after certain verbs (e.g. ask, demand, insist,
propose, recommend, request, suggest), and after adjectives (e.g. advisable, desirable,
59
eager essential, important, necessary, vital), to express the idea that something is
important or necessary:
At yesterdays hearing the judge insisted (that) Mr. Bright give evidence
despite his relationship to the accused.
In future it will be vital that each party give full disclosure prior to trial.
In less formal contexts, the construction SHOULD + short infinitive can be used.
They demanded that the employee should resign.
We can use passive and negative forms of the subjunctive:
Members of the committee suggested England be excluded from future
international competitions.
Regulations require that officers not enter the crime scene without protective
clothing.
The subjunctive is used in reported speech and very formal language:
She insisted that she pay her own way.
We require that all receipts be submitted to the committee for approval.
It is vital that every applicant complete the form in triplicate.
It is vital that every applicant should complete the form in triplicate.
There are some fixed expressions which use subjunctive forms (the so-called Old
Subjunctive):
Bless you!
Long live the republic!
After a number of expressions, like if only, we use past tenses to describe things in the
present, past or future which are imagined or unreal, also suggesting regret:
If only I were rich.
Other introducing expressions like if only are:
Its time
What if
Suppose/Supposing
60
Would rather, would sooner, as if, as though, wish
Present:
Its time they were forced to solve the problem.
Future:
I wish I were coming with you tomorrow.
Past:
I wish I had never started the course. (But I have started it)
We use wish/if only + past simple to express a desire for something to be different in
the present:
I wish I had more free time.
If only I were young again.
We use wish/if only + past perfect to express regret about the past, a wish that
something different had happened:
I wish that youd told me about this before I bought the tickets.
If only he hadnt been driving so fast!
Practice:
61
d. Helen is so bossy. She acts as if she _____ (own) the place.
e. I wish you _____ (not keep) coming late to class.
f. Suppose a complete stranger _____ (leave) you a lot of money in their will!
g. I wish I _____ (go) to your party after all.
h. The government demanded that the ambassador ____ (be) recalled.
62
g. We really must discuss this again.
Its important that .
C. EXAM FOCUS
4. Its time we .
a. leave
63
b. would leave
c. left
6. If the results of the customer survey are favourable, the supermarket a new range
of products.
a. introduce
b. is going to introduce
c. are introducing
64
b. might have been, knew
c. might have been, had not known
12. He acts ..
a. as if he were in charge.
b. as he is in charge.
c. as if he being charged
13. I wish I .
a. hadnt worked tonight.
b. work tonight
c. was working tonight
65
CHAPTER 3
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
SECTION A: INTRODUCTION
1. a. Answer the following questions from your knowledge of the world, then
check your answers by reading the text below.
Many French people feel deeply uncomfortable about defiant, assertive Islam.
France, after all, is home to biggest Muslim population (outside Turkey):
some 5m next to 3m in Germany and 1.5m in Britain. The country has about
1.600 mosques or prayer halls. Many young French Muslims find no difficulty
in balancing private faith with French secularism. But an increasing vocal
minority many of whom speak no Arabic and freely mix Nike trainers with the
hijab, find such compromise unacceptable. France can either attempt a
compromise, and allow Islam and other ethnic groups and religions a public
66
voice, or it can impose on its ethnically and ideologically diverse citizens.
The fear is that giving in to one demand will lead to many more.
France may celebrate its multi-ethnic national football team; Zinedine Zidane
was voted the most admired Frenchman last year. But such exceptions, mostly
in arts or sports, stand out.
Speaker 1: Presumably you worked for British companies before and here youre
working for a company which is mainly French run. ..there be many
differences in management style?
Speaker 2: There are some differences in management style, yes, but we
overcome these by achieving a kind of compromise.
Speaker1: Where friction arise, if there is any kind of friction?
Speaker 2: Well, the friction is very superficial usually; there is no fundamental
friction. The real relationships are very good. I think that it be fair to say that it
67
takes longer in French management to take a decision. If you have a meeting it
.take a long time and from a British point of view it seemed sometimes the same
point is argued over and over again. Then, most British people say well, we
..hope to work five or six years and then we review the position and see if
there is a better career in the same line of business. This is a natural thing in Britain,
but it is not so in France.
Speaker 1: The French company seems to be more hierarchical than British
companies.
Speaker 2: Yes, this be another basic difference. There is less delegation in
French companies. You get matters which ..be decided at a relatively low level in
British management, and at a higher level in French management.
68
PROJECT WORK
Pick up one of the following subjects to write a report on it; besides the
information you have got so far, you may find the one in the text below quite
useful.
Subjects
What basis is there for the national stereotype, or so-called national
characteristics?
What are the problems involved in running a multinational team or
company?
What sorts of friction can arise in multinational or multicultural groups?
69
Multinationals
The multinational company is the most familiar character in this globalized
world. It is the most admired, most feared, yet most elusive of the actors
shaping the world of the 21st century.
The global corporation is the driving force of this dominant process of our
time, which is globalization. This process is driving the world economy to a
state where hundreds of dominant multinational enterprises interact with
each other and define a new global organizational and managerial model.
Any effort to develop a global business must first recognize the existence of
cultural nuances and how such values and attitudes vary. The main challenge
is to maximize the potential of cultural diversity. The answer lies in
recognizing this as a unique source for innovative ideas that will make a
company more competitive in the future.
Today one cannot afford to ignore such cultural nuances. The impact of
transnational corporations has been significant; in 1997 the United Nations
reported that the number of such multinational companies increased from
7000 to over 60 000 during the past 25 years, controlling at least 500 000
foreign affiliates and accounting in 1998 for over $ 11 trillion in worldwide
sales (compared with the world trade in that years of almost $ 7 trillion
meaning that international production by multinationals has overtaken world
trade as the dominant international dynamic). The trade between these firms
has been increasing faster than the world trade overall, while investments by
these firms (foreign direct investment) are also increasing faster than the
world trade growth.
Among these 60.000 firms there are typical multinational enterprises that
have rich resources, operating in more than 100 countries, multiple site
covering research & development, production, logistic, marketing, and
customer support (General Electric, General Motors, IBM, Motorola, NEC,
Siemens, Unilever). There are also firms which are quite different from these
conventional multinationals. For example, there are much smaller
multinational companies, both in terms of resources, staff and capital
micro-multinationals. There are similar young, technology-based
internalizing firms in Sweden, called infant multinationals. Despite the
image of the multinationals, as being huge conglomerates, the majority of the
worlds firms are quite small, to 250 employees.
70
its form never changes, there is no s on the third person, no ing form,
no past tense.
Ability
Could may also indicate disapproval when something is or was not done.
E.g. She could make more than an effort
She could have told me beforehand- I needed to know.
Obligation, prohibition
We use must or has/ have to indicate what is compulsory in the present and future.
E.g. Any change in taxation must be fair.
All travellers to China have to be in possession of a visa.
71
If something was necessary or obligatory in the past we use had to and we use will
have to for the future.
E.g. When we lived in Sao Paulo, we had to learn some Portuguese.
We will have to evaluate the new procedures regularly.
The absence of future obligation is expressed by will not/ wont have to.
E.g. If you open a bank account in the Bahamas, you wont have to pay income tax.
We prefer to use must when we oblige ourselves to do something.
We prefer have to when the obligation is imposed by other people or external
circumstances.
E.g. I must remember to get in touch with Mr. Smith.
We have to wear a uniform at work.
I enjoy going to conferences unless I have to make a presentation.
Possibility
We use can to say that something is possible and cannot or could not if something is
impossible.
E.g. Mathematics can be really interesting.
You cant fly to Dover there isnt an airport.
I couldnt tell you exactly what our turnover is.
If a situation is possible but it is not certain that it will happen, we use could.
E.g. A lot of accidents at work could be avoided.
72
We use could not if something was impossible.
E.g. Twenty years ago you couldnt buy a computer as cheaply as you can now.
A past opportunity which was not fulfilled is expressed using could have and a past
participle.
E.g. She could have gone to Harvard but she went to Yale instead.
Likelihood
A number of modal verbs are used to express degrees of certainty, according to the
speakers perception of the situation.
100% certain
E.g. The 21st century will be very different from the preceding ones.
Economics will never be a precise science.
Probably
E.g. You may well have a point there.
We should arrive before lunch if there is not too much traffic.
73
Permission, suggestion, offers
May and could are also used for permission, but not to refuse permission. They are
more formal than can.
E.g. A: May I use your password?
B: No, Im afraid you cant.
A: Could I come back later?
B: No, I dont think thatll be possible.
If we want to talk about permission for a future action we use the verb allow or
permit.
E.g. They wont allow /permit you to travel alone.
We use will or would to make a polite request or to ask someone if they are willing to
assist.
74
E.g. Will you sign here, please?
Would you do me a favour?
If you want to say that you are unwilling to do something, you can use will not or
wont.
E.g. I will not tolerate her behaviour.
If you make a firm commitment to do something in the future you use will:
E.g. We will do everything in our power to satisfy your needs.
Would is used to talk about actions that happened frequently in the past.
E.g. Our previous chairman would begin the meeting with a joke.
Practice
75
4. It took six days for the letter to arrive and we both have e-mail.
3. Complete these sentences so that they are true for your country. Use have to,
dont have to and must not.
1. You.carry a gun.
2. You.pay to use buses and trains
3. You.vote if you are over 18.
4. You drink alcohol at work
5. Youdeclare income earned abroad.
6. Youwear a seat belt when driving a car.
4. Make appropriate sentences (on company situations) from this table, using
can:
Situations
-Learning a
foreign hard work
language good fun
- Entertaining challenging
overseas can occasionally be a waste of time
customers sometimes painful
- being in often boring
charge of a new
project
- setting up a
business
- negotiating a
contract
5. Complete the dialogue with these expressions:
Do you need any help? Ill give you. Shall I hold the door open
Would you like me. We must get together
76
A. Its been wonderful seeing you.some time.
B. Yes, that d be very nice.
A. .with your baggage?
B. No thanks, I can manage.
A. Are you sure?for you?
B. Yes, please.
A..to call a taxi?
B. No, thanks. Ill walk, its not far.
A: No, you cant possibly. Your cases are heavy.a lift.
B: Well, thank you very much. Its really very kind of you.
6. Which of the following uses of will indicate willingness (w), refusal (r), a
promise (P), a threat (T) or typical behaviour (Tb)? Write the appropriate letter
in the space provided.
Ill make sure John is informed
Oil will float on water.
She wont listen, shes so stubborn.
Patrick will keep on asking stupid questions
Ill take your calls for you while you are out.
Either I get the job or Ill leave the company.
Will you call him back when youve got a moment?
Ive changed the battery, but my mobile phone still wont work.
She will always be the first person to arrive on a Monday morning.
If you dont sign the new contract well have to move you to another
post.
Would you put your name and company in the visitors book, please?
Before the use of computers we would have to record all our data on
card index files.
77
SECTION C: EXAM FOCUS
4. Rephrase the following sentence: She had the facts and figures, but left me in the
dark.
a. She could have informed me.
b. She must have informed me.
c. She would have informed me.
78
c. dont have to
11. In the sentence: I will make sure my colleagues are informed. will expresses:
a. willingness
b. refusal
c. promise
79
13. Any effort to develop a global business.. first recognize the existence of cultural
nuances and how such values and attitudes vary.
a. must
b. will
c. has to
14. One ignore these cultural traits, but they not have to become a barrier for
progress.
a. can, should
b. cannot, should
c. must, can
80