Business English
poniedziałek, 08 lutego 2010
Economy growing, competition increasing, and businesses expanding; a lot has happened in these few years and a lot more is about to happen. So where do we stand in this competitive economy if we are not in tune with the major trends of today's business. One such major trend being 'Outsourcing'. So what is Outsourcing all about? Let us find out in depth. Outsourcing to put it in definition would mean, shifting or delegating a company's day to day operations or business processes to an external service provider; of course done in anticipation of better quality, lower rates and in a sense getting an edge over one's competitors. Not clear? Well to be more precise; Outsourcing is the work done for a company by people other than the company's full time employees. Now these people could be anywhere and they might have their offices in any part of the world, speaking a different language and working in a different time frame. That's the reason why selecting your outsourcing destination becomes so very important. Now please bear in mind that outsourcing is different from contracting as in contracting the buyer is in total control of the process, while in outsourcing there is transfer of control of the process to the supplier. What kind of services can you outsource? Outsourcing of services can be mainly divided in to technological services outsourcing and business process outsourcing. Why should I outsource? There are hundreds of reasons to justify Outsourcing. It allows you to cut costs, increase profitability and productivity, provide better service at lower rates and many other. Who should outsource? If you ask us, we would say there are no particular objections. Almost all companies right from small office home offices, to small and medium scale industries to major large scale industries can take advantage of outsourcing. After all why should anyone stay back? The final word Outsourcing as globalization is a phenomena or rather an evolution that was waiting to happen. There may be oppositions and there may be speculations about Outsourcing; but the success stories by far outdo the others, to turn this unavoidable phenomenon into a win-winultimately it's you who has to decide what's good and what's bad. A strategic vision, better planning and good outsourcing knowledge could well help you in creating an Outsourcing success story.
increase - to (make something) become larger in amount or size expand - to increase in size, number or importance, or to make something increase in this way to be about to do sth - to be going to do something very soon in tune with - If you are in tune with people or ideas, you understand or agree with them, and if you are out of tune with them, you do not in depth - in a serious and detailed way shift - to get rid of something unwanted, or to sell something delegate - to give a particular job, duty, right, etc. to someone else so that they do it for you day to day - happening every day as a regular part of your job or life external - coming from the outside in anticipation of - in preparation for something happening getting an edge over - to have an advantage over destination - the place where someone is going or where something is being sent or taken contract - to make a legal agreement with someone to do work or to have work done for you transfer - to move someone or something from one place, vehicle, person or group to another supplier - a company, person, etc. that provides things that people want or need, especially over a long period of time win-win - A win-win situation or result is one that is good for everyone who is involved take advantage of - to use the good things in a situation stay back - to keep one's distance from someone or something. phenomena - something that exists and can be seen, felt, tasted, etc., especially something which is unusual or interesting ultimately - used to emphasize the most important fact in a situation unavoidable - impossible to avoid objections - when someone expresses or feels opposition to or dislike of something or someone
EXERCISE I Read the text and answer the question True or False 1. Outsourcing is basically the procuring of services or products, from an outside supplier or manufacturer in order to cut costs. 2. The matter of selecting your outsourcing destination is important because the people cannot be from anywhere. 3. The difference between contracting and outsourcing is that the buyer is in charge of the process, whereas, in outsourcing it is the supplier who controls the process 4. The main advantage of outsourcing is that it takes a lot of responsibility from the company’s shoulders.
EXERCISE II Fill in the gaps with the missing words from the glossary 1. The cost of the project has ………………dramatically since it began. 2. Much of his success comes from being in …………….. with what his customers want. 3. As a boss you have to ………………. responsibilities to your staff. 4. She's even decorated the spare room in ………………. of your visit. 5. They have just …………………. our company to build shelters for the homeless. 6. Flexible working hours are a ………………….. situation for employers and employees 7. I thought I'd take …………………… of the sports facilities while I'm here.
Sprawdź odpowiedzi na Angielski.Gazeta.pl
EXERCISE I Read the article and answer the question True or False 1. Business plans come in several forms ranging from concise briefs to 50 pages long elaborates 2. Preparing a cohesive and convincing business plan guarantees winning financial support for your project. 3. Among the five most common types of documents the executive summary and a synopsis are as a matter of fact closest to each other. 4. A full business plan and an operational business plan are alike and have no significant differences as far as content and objectives are concerned.
EXERCISE II Read the text and fill in the gaps with the missing words from the glossary 1. She advised us to look abroad for more lucrative business……………………. 2. Please …………………..receipt of this letter. 3. We need to look …………………as much as five years to make realistic plans. 4. We've had three sets of …………………….. buyers looking round the house. 5. This new paint scraper really does the……………….. 6. What's the ………………outcome of this whole business? 7. We need financial ………………….for the project. 8. I guess I don't have what it …………….to be a composer. 9. For further information, please refer to the …………………..leaflet. Sprawdź odpowiedzi na Angielski.Gazeta.pl
When entrepreneurs seek funding for a new venture, potential investors often want to see a business plan. The question is: What kind? If you are searching for funding—whether from venture capitalists, angel investors, bankers, or even friends and family—one of the first requests you'll receive is this: "Send along your business plan." Before you hang up the phone or acknowledge the e-mail, you may want to ask one question: What kind of business plan do you want me to send? Business plans come in several forms, and before you start writing a 35-page document, you may want to determine whether a one- or two-page summary might do the trick, or vice-versa. Just keep in mind that whatever type of document you send, it must do more than simply describe your business—it must also sell you and your business and convince the backer you have what it takes to make the business succeed over the long term. Here are the five most common types of documents that can fill a request for a written business plan, from most basic to most involved. AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. An executive summary is essentially a business plan in miniature and shouldn't be longer than two pages. That means it should cover the main components—the strategy, the management team, the market, the product or service, the sales plan, and the finances. But it must go beyond simply addressing these issues in factual format like an abstract or an outline, as if hitting items on a list. It should integrate them in a cohesiveconvincing way that interests and stimulates the investor candidate. and A SYNOPSIS. A synopsis might best be described as an executive summary on steroids. From a writing and presentation perspective, a business synopsis is a cross between an executive summary in traditional business plans and a business proposal. The emphasis here is less on the particulars of the idea and more on why the idea is especially relevant to the investor. Does your business somehow complement the venture capital firm's other investments from an industry perspective? Does it open up a new opportunity area the investor is likely to be interested in, based on his past experience? In other words, the focus is on convincing and selling the recipient. A SUMMARY BUSINESS PLAN. This is a document typically 10 pages or fewer. It includes an executive summary, and then a page or so of explanation of each of the key components of a business plan. So it expands on what an executive summary or synopsis provides. Its financial section may look ahead a year or two instead of the traditional three to five years. A summary business plan has become the most common answer to the request from prospective investors, in my experience. A FULL BUSINESS PLAN. This is the traditional business plan of 25 to 35 pages that gets written about in books on planning. Each section of the plan is explained in full—lots of industry marketing data to back up the marketing section, much detail about features and warranties in the product description, and full financial projections including cash flow, looking ahead three to five years. AN OPERATIONAL BUSINESS PLAN. This is the most detailed plan, since it is for companies that are already operating and thus have a history and an existing strategy. Moreover, such companies tend to develop a business plan literally to plan the business, rather than simply to raise money. A complete operational plan may be 50 or more pages, going into detail about sales, production, and distribution, so as to offer guidance to key managers, and in some cases to all employees. A well done operational plan can also be used to raise expansion capital, or even to attract prospective acquirers. How do you know which kind of plan you should be preparing? Sometimes it's best to ask prospective backers what kind they would like to see. And if you haven't prepared anything, you can try to steer them toward the simplest plan, as in: "How about if we send you our executive summary?" Then you can get busy writing, in hopes of completing something reasonable in a few days. But be prepared. If the prospective backers are truly interested, they may come back with the question: "Do you guys have any more detail to back up what you sent us?" Then the next step could be a summary business plan, or maybe even a full plan. Adapted from: http://www.businessweek.com
on steroids - in a much more powerful or extreme form entrepreneur - someone who starts their own business, especially when this involves seeing a new opportunity venture - a new activity, usually in business, which involves risk or uncertainty venture capital - money that is invested or is available for investment in a new company, especially a risky one angel investor - An angel investor is an affluent individual who provides capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity. acknowledge - to accept, admit or recognize something, or the truth or existence of something determine - to control or influence something directly, or to decide what will happen summary - a short clear description that gives the main facts or ideas about something do the trick - to do exactly what is needed convince - to persuade someone or make them certain backer - someone who gives financial support to something have what it takes - to have the skills, power, intelligence, etc., to do something. address the issue - to give attention to or deal with a matter or problem hitting items on a list – deal with some issues successfully cohesive - united and working together effectively convincing - able to make you believe that something is true or right a cross between - a mixture of two different things which have been combined to produce something new emphasis - the particular importance or attention that you give to something particulars - details or information about a person or an event, especially when officially recorded complement - to make something else seem better or more attractive when combining with it relevant - connected with what is happening or being discussed sth is likely to be - describes something that will probably happen or is expected recipient - a person who receives something look ahead - to think about the future prospective - people who are expected to buy something/employ someone/become a parent, etc feature - a typical quality or an important part of something warranty - a written promise from a company to repair or replace a product that develops a fault within a fixed period of time, or to do a piece of work again if it is not satisfactory; a guarantee cash flow - the amount of money moving into and out of a business guidance - help and advice about how to do something or about how to deal with problems connected with your work, education, or personal relationships steer towards - to guide something in the direction of someone or something
poniedziałek, 18 stycznia 2010
We all experience stress in our lives. Some of us thrive on it. Some of us muddle through. And for others, the stress causes serious health and work problems. As life has gotten faster and more complex, it gets more and more difficult to thrive. Apart from the usual stress management "suspects", like eating well, exercising and so on, there are some techniques you can use to reduce the stress in your life (or at least make your reactions more constructive.) We're going to cover some of these techniques, to help you learn them. Most of them fall into the category of relaxation techniques. Overview: Relaxation techniques have been around for a long time and well explored by psychologists. None of the things we're going to talk about are strange or weird, they are just based on straight-forward science. While the actual process of learning how to relax deeply vary and have different names (eg. self-hypnosis, meditation, or just relaxation), they have one thing in common. You use them to put yourself in a deep relaxation state, where your heart rate, breathing rate, and "thinking rate" slow down. Keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for another. One technique may work for you, and another may not. So, you may have to experiment. In order to benefit from learning relaxation techniques you must practice (or relax) regularly. The Different Relaxation Techniques There is autogenic relaxation. This is a form of passive relaxation (you don't move anything). You listen to a tape (or once you've learned to do it, you can do it without the tape), where you imagine different parts of your body becoming heavy, warm and relaxed. Progressive relaxation is a bit different in that it involves physical movement. It works like this. You tense particular body parts, one at a time (your hand, your forearm, etc), hold the tension and then let it go (either quickly or slowly). You attend to the feelings of tension and relaxation so you can become better at identifying your tension, and learning how to release it. Guided imagery relaxation is different yet again. It involves imagining yourself in soothing, calm surroundings (on the beach, for example), and attending to the details of the experience (eg. the sand on your feet, the warmth of the sun. Self-hypnosis is really quite similar to some of the approaches above. Often self-hypnosis involves the use of affirmations (positive or relaxing statements) once you have achieved a deep sense of relaxation. Subliminal Techniques are supposed to work this way. Buried in music or other sounds are various statements that you can't consciously hear, but, supposedly, your unconscious can hear. Unfortunately, there is little or no proof that these work the way they are supposed to, but as we said, it may work for you, and if it does, go for it. Meditation techniques used to be drawn from Eastern philosophy, but people have found that it's possible to use mediation techniques without subscribing to the religious tenets that used to be associated with them. Meditation for relaxation usually involves focusing your attention on a word, your breathing, or a simple object. Its purpose is to calm the mind. Finally, some people find it relaxing to listen to certain kinds of music (usually classical) or nature sounds. It doesn't turn my crank but maybe it will work for you. Also, in the event that you are experiencing severe stress, don't go the self-help route without also contacting your doctor to see if he or she can help. This is particularly important since stress can affect your physical well-being. Adapted from http://work911.com/articles/stresstips.htm
thrive - to grow, develop or be successful muddle through - to manage to do something although you are not organized and do not know how to do it a suspect - a person believed to have committed a crime or done something wrong, or something believed to have caused something bad tense - If you or your muscles tense, your muscles become stiff and tight because you are frightened or nervous, or are preparing yourself to do something release - to express a feeling which you have been trying not to show involve - to include someone or something in something, or to make them take part in or feel part of it attend to - to deal with something or help someone approach – method, way of dealing with something affirmation - Something declared to be true; a positive statement or judgment. statement - something that someone says or writes officially, or an action done to express an opinion consciously – in a determined and intentional way subscribe to - to agree with or support an opinion, belief or theory tenet - one of the principles on which a belief or theory is based route - a method of achieving something turn my crank – give a person pleasure
EXERCISE I Read the text and answer the questions True or False: 1. Eating well and exercising are two ways of handling stress singlehandedly as opposed to self-hypnosis, meditation, or just relaxation which can be performed only under supervision of a therapist 2. Different relaxation techniques described in this article engage relaxation of different body parts 3. It is advisory to introduce doctor’s control when taking up the exercises. 4. The effectiveness of the techniques described in the article depends on individual preferences and predispositions
EXERCISE II Read the text one more time and fill in the gaps with the missing word from the glossary: 1. A college education is often the best ………….. to a good job. 2. It is a ………….. of contemporary psychology that an individual's mental health is supported by having good social networks. 3. Frank …………………. firmly to the belief that human kindness would overcome evil. 4. He's obviously making a …………………… effort to be nice to me at the moment. 5. He threw paint over the fur coats because he wanted to make a ……………….about cruelty to animals. 6. I always have so many things to …………………….. to when I come into the office after a trip abroad. 7. I prefer teaching methods that actively ………………….. students in learning. 8. He punched the pillow in an effort to …………………. his anger. 9. Don't …………………… your shoulders, just relax.
Sprawdź odpowiedzi na Angielski.Gazeta.pl
poniedziałek, 04 stycznia 2010
Buying the perfect Christmas gift for someone at the office can be a difficult task. There are so many ways that you could go wrong when trying to buy a gift, especially if it is a gift for someone you work with or work for. The last thing you want to do is offend someone when you are trying to please him or her. This can be avoided by following some general gift giving rules and by using some common sense. Buying a Christmas gift for the office Christmas party is one the most difficult gift giving situations to deal with, especially if you have to buy a gift for someone you do not know very well. Here are a few tips that may help: - Never give food items as a gift to someone you do not know very well. You never know when someone might be allergic to that particular food item. - Never give distasteful gifts, such as lingerie or gag gifts of a sexual nature, at the office Christmas party. Even though these types of gifts are meant to be fun, they will often embarrass not only the recipient but also those who are watching him/her open the gift. If the person is a good friend, you can still give them this type of gift, just save it for outside the work place. - If you have to buy a gift for someone who is from a different cultural background, do some research before you choose a gift. Be very careful that you do not choose a gift that cannot be perceived as cheap or offensive. Some items have a completely different meaning and value in other cultures. - When giving a gift to your boss it is probably a better idea to give a joint gift with all of your coworkers. Giving a gift to your boss on your own can create tension in the workplace. It may make your coworkers feel that you are trying to manipulate your boss in some way or that you are the bosses pet. - Keep the cost of the gift to a minimum. Do not spend more than $15 or $20 on a gift for a coworker. Anything more than that may send the wrong message or it may even offend other coworkers. - Finally, NEVER, EVER reuse a gift that was originally given to you as a gift. This is called re-gifting and it is a gift giving no-no. Re-gifting shows that you are cheap and that you did not put any thought into choosing a gift. It is also very disrespectful to both the person who originally bought you the gift and the person to whom you are giving the gift. If you do not like a gift that someone gave you, either return it or just give it to someone else. Do not use it as a Christmas gift for someone else. Buying a Christmas gift for someone at the office can be a bit tricky. Buying an inappropriate or offensive gift could easily create an awkward working environment. Follow the guidelines above and use some common sense when purchasing a Christmas gift for a coworker. You do not want to be the one that creates waves at the office Christmas party. Adapted from: http://ezinearticles.com
common sense - the basic level of practical knowledge and judgment that we all need to help us live in a reasonable and safe way distasteful - something unpleasant or unacceptable lingerie - women's underwear gag –a trick played on someone or an action performed to entertain other people recipient - a person who receives something offensive – causing offence, insulting disrespectful – impolite, rude tricky - difficult to deal with and needs careful attention or skill inappropriate – out of place, improper awkward - causing problems, worry or embarrassment
EXERCISE I Read the text and answer the questions true or false: 1. You can easily avoid buying an awkward Christmas gift if you buy only for coworkers you know really well. 2. If the person is your boss, you can wait with the gift until later besides workplace. 3. If you buy a present for someone from a different country make sure that you spend more than 15$ or 20$ 4. Re-gifting is forwarding received presents to other recipient. 5. Buying underwear is always a gift giving no-no.
EXERCISE II Read the text again and fill the gaps with the missing words from the glossary 1. I always feel ………………………….when I'm with Chris - he's so difficult to talk to. 2. I think it would be …………………… to invite her to a party so soon after her husband's death. 3. He found the subject of their conversation very ……………………………….. . 4. Windsurfing is perfectly safe as long as you use some ……………………………. 5. This program contains language that some viewers might find ………………………. 6. I'm in a bit of a ……………………… situation really - whatever I do I'll offend someone.
Sprawdź odpowiedzi na Angielski.Gazeta.pl
czwartek, 17 grudnia 2009
Going to an office Christmas party can be great fun. It can also be like walking through a mine field. Make a major mistake in your behavior and it'll probably be remembered and talked about for years. It can also come into play at your next performance review. Chances are it won't be mentioned but it can still linger there, an unspoken dagger in your professional heart. So what shouldn't you do at the party? First on the list is don't get drunk. Alcohol can relax you and help you enjoy the evening, but get too "relaxed" and you'll be saying and doing things that can harm your reputation and lessen the amount of trust your superiors are likely to place in you. If you can't depend on yourself to limit the amount of alcohol you drink, don't drink any at all. Do that and you'll find yourself enjoying one of the best parts of an office Christmas party: watching other people drink too much and make fools of themselves. It's much better to wake up the next morning with a sense of sober superiority than a hangover. Second on the list is think twice about what you choose to wear to the party. This is especially true for women because they have so many options. For men it's tie or no tie, slacks or jeans, dress shoes or sneakers. A guy can make a fashion mistake but it's not likely to be fatal. A woman on the other hand can select a wardrobe that makes a real statement about herself. So when you're standing in front of a mirror trying to decide what to wear, think about the image you want to project in the office and select something that fits that image. You want to be noticed but you want people thinking you're stylish and appropriate. You don't want Joe in accounting thinking "Wow! What a babe!". That's great for another party but not this one. So limit the amount of skin that you show. If it's something you'd wear to your parents' wedding anniversary party you're probably safe. Unless your parents are rock stars. Dancing is often a staple at office Christmas parties. If that's the case and you're going to the party alone, spread yourself around. Dance with a lot of people. Think of it as a chance to have a one-on-one conversation with people you don't ordinarily spend a lot of time with. It doesn't have to be a deep conversation, just three minutes of casual chit-chat, assumingR-rated, but at office parties it's best to dance the way you'd dance with your brother or sister. the music isn't so loud you can't be heard. Another thing to consider is the way you dance. These days the dance floor can be Another thing to avoid is office talk. A party is not the time to discuss the Jenkins contract or the problems you're having with a co-worker. After all, no one is there to make decisions and that co-worker might be right behind you listening to every word you say. Some people think the office Christmas party is the perfect time to cozy up to the boss. It's not. You want to speak to the boss, spend a few minutes with him or her and thank them for the party. But don't try to kiss his ass or make her your best buddy. They'll know you're trying to manipulate them and your effort will probably backfire. Food will be a big part of the party. If you don't like the spread, keep it to yourself. Don't complain about the menu or how much is being spent on the party. Nothing good will come of complaining. Bottom line, behave at the party the way you'd be expected to behave if it was a client party. Keep it dignified, light, and friendly. The rules of good office behavior don't change because someone opens a bottle of champagne. If anything, they get even more important. Break them and people will remember. For a very long time. http://www.helium.com/items/727096-what-not-to-do-at-the-company-christmas-party
linger - to take a long time to leave or disappear dagger - a short pointed knife which is sharp on both sides, used especially in the past as a weapon harm your reputation - to hurt or damage the general estimation in which a person is held by the public. lessen - if something lessens or is lessened, it becomes less strong make a fool of - to do something which makes you seem stupid sober superiority - when you behave and think as if you are better than other people because you did not drink or were affected by alcohol hangover - a feeling of illness after drinking too much alcohol slacks - a pair of trousers, usually of a type that fit loosely make a statement – to say something officially, or an action done to express an opinion project an image - if you project a particular quality, that quality is what most people notice about you staple - a basic or principal element or feature. spread yourself around - to distribute people or things over an area. chit-chat - informal conversation about matters which are not important assume - to take for granted; suppose r-rated - an r-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counseled to take this rating very seriously. backfire - to have the opposite result from the one you intended come of - to happen as a result of something dignified - controlled, serious and calm, and therefore deserving respect bottom line - the most important fact in a situation EXERCISE I Read the text and choose the right meaning of the expressions below: 1. Walking through a mine field. a) To be in a situation or subject which is very complicated and full of hidden problems and dangers b) When all the competitors take part in a race or activity 2. It can also come into play a) to become an important factor in something b) to agree to work with or help someone in the way they have suggested 3. It's not likely to be fatal a) it will not have an important bad effect in the future b) the situation is not promising and likely to fail. 4. Limit the amount of skin that you show a) You should not wear any coats or furs made of leather b) Do not show much of your naked body EXERCISE II Read the text and fill in the gaps with the missing words from the glossary 1. After the play had finished, we ………………………….. for a while in the bar hoping to catch sight of the actors. 2. Recently the president has sought to …………………….. a much tougher image. 3. Did anything ……………………… of all those job applications? 4. He has maintained a ……………………… silence about the rumors. 5. Her plans to make him jealous ………………………. on her when he went off with her best friend. 6. I …………………….. that you knew each other because you went to the same school. 7. The government is expected to make a ………………………….. about the investigation to the press.
Sprawdź odpowiedzi na Angielski.Gazeta.pl
środa, 09 grudnia 2009
Everyone has their own idea of a retail sales job. Our mind instantly remembers that one person who follows you around the store asking you if you need anything when you simply want to look around. Though people don't really realize it but without sales jobs who would help us find that special item that we are looking for? Internet sales are taking a big portion away from the retail industry, but sometimes you need that special expertise and service that you simply can't get from clicking a computer button. What is FMCG? This stands for fast moving consumer goods. This used to be known as the grocery industry. They have evolved beyond this. You as consumer determine what items are constantly sold by your purchases. These are the items that all the major stores have decided they must keep on their shelves at all times. These companies have specialized in the production, distribution, and marketing of consumer packed goods. These are billion dollar industries geared towards getting you to buy that something that you may or may not need. If something is no longer selling as well then they may come out with a new segment of that same product. Fat-free or low fat foods are a prime example. Retail sales jobs require one to have a good attitude and don't mind dealing with the general public. You will likely be on your feet all day talking to customers and helping them with retail purchases. You don't have to have a college degree unless you are in a more managerial position. Stores will tend to hire more temporary retail workers around the Christmas holidays as they have a bigger clientele that shops for presents during that time of the year. The pay is usually hourly and may or may not include sales bonuses. These can be full or part time positions. One added bonuses is usually a discount on the items that are sold in the store you work for. To work in the consumer sales segment you will need a four year college degree in management, or marketing. For some of the higher level positions you will also need an MBA and previous business experience dealing with consumer products. This industry is not known for large layoffs unless two industry giants are merging operations. It is motivated by profit margins, name brand slogans and television jingles. Many of the big companies are part of the Fortune 500. Sara lee, Nestle', Proctor and Gamble are a just a few. If you are considering a sales job in the retail or FMCG industry make sure that you research the company prior to applying to learn about the different companies to discover which ones are more appealing to you. Network within the industry for job leads to improve your oddsreferral from someone that is currently working there you will stand out and have a good chance of getting the job. of getting hired. If you can get a
take away – to remove something evolve - to develop gradually, or to cause something or someone to develop gradually determine - to control or influence something directly, or to decide what will happen gear toward - to design or organize something so that it is suitable for a particular purpose, situation or group of people come out - if information or results come out, they are given to people deal with - to take action in order to achieve something or in order to solve a problem job lead - a piece of information which allows finding a job layoff - when someone stops employing someone, sometimes temporarily, because there is no money to pay them or because there is no work for them merging operations – joining together different processes jingle - a short simple tune, often with words, which is easy to remember and is used to advertise a product on the radio or television appealing - attractive or interesting odds - the probability that a particular thing will or will not happen referral - when you direct someone to a different place or person for information, help or action, often to a person or group with more knowledge or power EXERCISE I Read the text and answer the questions true or false: 1. With the internet sales on the rise, special expertise and service become simply unnecessary. 2. The grocery industry evolved into fast moving consumer goods industry. 3. Nowadays products that no longer sell must be kept on the shelves at all times. 4. Retail sales jobs do not require college degree except for executive positions. 5. The job in the consumer sales segment is rather stable provided industry giants are not merging. 6. The chances of getting hired in the FMCG industry increase if you get recommendations.
EXERCISE II Read the text one more time and fill in the gaps with the missing words from the glossary: 1. The number of staff we can take on will be ………………………….. by how much money we're allowed to spend. 2. The doctor gave him a …………………..to the consultant. 3. The company has ………………….. over the years into a multi-million dollar organization. 4. The idea of not having to get up early every morning is rather …………………….. to me. 5. The workshops are ………………….. towards helping people to become more employable. 6. How do you intend to ………………….. with this problem? 7. The recent economic crisis has led to massive ………………….. 8. If you drive a car all your life, the …………………….. are that you'll have an accident at some point.
EXERCISE III Find antonyms: 1. Evolve a) wholesale 2. Retail b) to be against 3. Do not mind c) off-putting 4. Temporary d) permanent 5. Appealing e) stagnate
Sprawdź odpowiedzi na Angielski.Gazeta.pl
środa, 02 grudnia 2009
A reader emailed me with this question: "I was in an interview, and was asked this question: How do you motivate yourself? I could barely answer the question. What would you suggest?"
do well - to perform, or achieve something attitude - a feeling or opinion about something or someone, or a way of behaving that is caused by this give up- to part with; relinquish benefit package - various non-wage compensation provided to employees in addition to their normal wage or salary bother - to make the effort to do something sustained - continuing for a long time tremendous - very great in amount or level stress buster - a product, practice, system, etc. that is designed to alleviate stress on the wane - in a period of decline or decrease clear your mind - to free your mind from confusion, doubt, or ambiguity self-image - the way a person feels about his or her personality, achievements and value to society self-confidence - behaving calmly because you have no doubts about your ability or knowledge gratitude - the feeling or quality of being grateful advancement - the development or improvement of something challenged - having a disability or impairment. ingrate - a person who is not grateful capable - able to do things effectively and skillfully, and to achieve results alter - to change something, usually slightly, or to cause the characteristics of something to change insight - a clear, deep and sometimes sudden understanding of a complicated problem or situation refute - to say or prove that a person, statement, opinion, etc. is wrong or false intimation - to make clear what you think or want without stating it directly
EXERCISE I Read the text and find the right meaning of the expressions below:
1) I could barely answer the question a) I could not answer the question at all b) I found it difficult to answer the question 2) attitude drives personality a) your opinions and behavior depend on your personality b) your behavior influences your personality 3) worse than an ingrate is a capable person too lazy to work a) it is better to be talented and lazy than to be ungrateful b) being lazy despite your talent is the worst 4) People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be a) one can be happy only if he wants to b) You cannot make yourself as happy as you want to
EXERCISE II Fill in the gaps with missing words from the glossary:
1) He seems to have undergone a change of …………………….. recently, and has become much more co-operative. 2) You could have phoned us but you just didn't…………………. 3) We need to get an assistant who's ……………………… and efficient. 4) All she was interested in was the ………………………. of her own career. 5) She sent them a present to show her …………………………… . 6) We've had to ………………….. some of our plans. 7) It was an interesting book, full of fascinating …………………………..into human relationships.
EXERCISE III Match the words to make phrasal verbs or compounds a) do 1) up b) emotionally 2) Image c) self 3) well d) stress 4) buster e) give 5) challenged
Sprawdź odpowiedzi na Angielski.Gazeta.pl
środa, 25 listopada 2009
For millions of Americans the rule is simple: If you don't come to work, you don't get paid. That idea drives an untold numbers of carpenters, day care workers, servers, shopkeepers and small-business owners to their jobs each day. Sniffles or not. As the swine flu spreads across the nation - and public health officials plead with the ill to, please, stay home in bed for several days until the fever goes away - a large segment of the American work force will face a tough choice about whether to call in sick or simply muddle through. That's because when skipping work means skipping food on the table or missing a rent payment, staying in bed isn't as simple as it sounds. Kara Knoche, 28, is worried about getting swine flu and the money she would lose by missing a week of work. The Atlanta waitress is downing Vitamin C supplements, going out of her way to eat immune system-boosting foods and avoiding friends with the sniffles or hacking coughs. "If you don't save up, you're basically behind and you're broke. Every dollar you make after that is probably going to go to bills," she said. "That makes for a very hard month. A person has to eat." Across the country employers of all sizes are making contingency plans for a hard-hitting flu season. Some business owners are cross-training employees to fill in fordoctor's note. (Many doctors' offices are advising swine flu patients to stay away unless their symptoms are severe to prevent overwhelming the health care system. ) absent colleagues. Others are relaxing sick leave policies that require a Some corporations are heeding advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among their tips: moving desks farther apart, creating more shifts to have fewer people on duty at a time and reducing employee travel. But that advice doesn't do much for many companies - particularly small businesses or those in the service industry where sick leave is almost unheard of or too costly for owners to afford. "We don't have a real good contingency plan in place right now," said Gordon Weitzel, owner of Dayton's Chicken & Seafood in Salisbury, Md. His staff of 36 does not have sick leave. "I've got some servers who cook, and I've got a lot of different people I can flip-flop. But it most certainly would be a hardship if 20 or 25 percent of my staff had swine flu" and stayed home, he said. About a third of the nation's workers don't have paid sick leave, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. But even some workers who do don't take it because they fear retribution from their bosses if they don't show up. The problem can be worse for parents who worry not just about their own health, but their children's. After all, a sick kid who got the flu from Mom or Dad can mean even more time off the job. Kevin Huigens, 52, knows calling in sick means bringing home a smaller paycheck, or possibly none at all. As a technology contractor in suburban Chicago, his job doesn't come with sick leave or vacation time. So what will he do if he gets sick this winter? "If I'm well enough to sit up in bed with a laptop, I can still work," he said. "I can work from home somehow, some way. It may not even be a full eight hours, but I can get a few hours a day." Even that might not be doable for some particularly ill patients. Last year, Chicago real estate agent Jen Sanders was felled for five days by the seasonal flu after forgoing a flu shot for the first time in a decade. Stuck at home, she had to call other real estate agents to attend everything from home inspections to showing listings to potential buyers so she wouldn't risk losing her commission. "It's horrible when you feel so crappy and you realize that you are losing money at the same time," she said. This year, she made sure to get a flu shot. She'll also continue her strategy of keeping her gloves on during the height of the winter flu season when she's shaking hands. "Every time I do a showing, I greet people," the 35-year-old said. "I try to do what I can without making other people feel awkward."
Adapted from: http://finance.yahoo.com/news
untold - so great in amount or level that it cannot be measured or expressed in words sniffles - a slight cold which mainly affects your nose plead with - to make an urgent, emotional statement or request for something fever - a medical condition in which the body temperature is higher than usual and the heart beats very fast face a tough choice – to deal with a difficult choice to call in sick - to call one's place of work to say that one is ill and cannot come to work. muddle through - to manage to get through something awkwardly skipping work - not to do something that you usually do or that you should do; here to avoid going to work down - to eat or drink something quickly immune system-boosting – raising natural protection against a particular disease by particular substances in the blood hacking cough - a loud cough that sounds painful contingency - something that might possibly happen in the future, usually causing problems or making further arrangements necessary cross-training - to undergo or provide training in different tasks or skills fill in for - replace doctor's note - a formal written communication form a doctor stating that someone was ill. heed- to pay attention to something, especially advice or a warning flip-flop - when someone completely changes a plan hardship - difficult or unpleasant conditions of life, or an example of this retribution - deserved and severe punishment show up - to appear; to arrive. doable - if something is doable, it can be achieved or performed felled for – knocked down forgoing a flu shot - abstaining from medical treatment listings - information about different types of entertainment and activities that is published in newspapers and magazines crappy - unpleasant or of very bad quality do a showing – to make a presentation of a house for sale or rent feel awkward – to feel embarrassed or nervous
EXERCISE I Read the text and answer the questions true or false
1. The article draws attention to the fact that if you don't tell your employee you are not going to come to work, you don't get paid. 2. A large segment of the American work force will call in sick just to skip work. 3. The health care system may be overwhelmed if all swine flu patients come for their doctor's notes. 4. Freelance contractors run even higher risk if they have to stay in bed, not only do they lose prospective clients but also find it difficult to be replaced. 5. Companies which have good contingency plan do not have worry about falling behind.
EXERCISE II Fill in the gaps with missing words from the glossary
1. Words alone cannot convey the ……………. misery endured by people in these refugee camps. 2. She appeared on television to …………….. with the kidnappers. 3. This project may be difficult, but I still think it's ………………. 4. We hadn't practiced the song enough, so we just ………….. through it. 5. You must be able to deal with all possible …………….. 6. Where is John? I hope he ……………… up soon. 7. The airline has been criticized for failing to ………….. advice about lack of safety routines. 8. They escaped because they feared …………… for what they did.
Sprawdź odpowiedzi na Angielski.Gazeta.pl
wtorek, 17 listopada 2009
Do you like exploring the great outdoors?
Adapted from: http://www.adventureandexotictravel.com
outdoors - outside kayaking - the activity of travelling in a kayak whitewater rafting - the activity of being moved quickly in a raft (= small boat filled with air) along rivers where the current is very strong hiking - the activity of going for long walks in the countryside appealing - attractive or interesting wanderlust - the wish to travel far away and to many different places thirst - a strong wish distinctively - something that is distinctive is easy to recognize because it is different from other things behold - to see or look at encompass - to include, especially different types of things rewarding - giving a reward, especially by making you feel satisfied that you have done something important or useful, or done something well booming - to increase or become successful and produce a lot of money very quickly mountain hiking - the activity of going for long walks on hills and rough ground forest trekking the activity of walking a long distance, over forests diverse - varied or different patience - the ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed customize - to make or change something according to the buyer's or user's needs perilous - extremely dangerous assurance - confidence affiliate - an organization that is connected with or controlled by another, usually larger, organization physically demanding – difficult in a way that relates to the body
EXERCISE 1 Read the text and answer the questions True or False: 1. Thirst for adventure does not have to be quenched only while you are on holidays. 2. The duties of adventure travel jobs are quite demeaning. 3. Unless people are dissatisfied at the end of the tour you can get really motivated for another adventure! 4. In order for the outdoor job to be rewarding you need to master several sports skills and enjoy being with nature. 5. The best thing about adventure jobs is that you do not have to change your lifestyle. 6. Skills trainings and certificates will help you avoid dangerous situations.
EXERCISE II Choose the right explanation for the expressions below: 1. go on and fill your heart's desires a) do not hesitate to follow your dreams b) be careful with pursuing your dreams 2. thirst for adventure! a) Overcoming fear of danger b) Willingness to perform exciting activities 3. let them behold sights rarely seen a) allow them enjoy the views b) give your approval for to turning aside from the main road 4. relatively perilous expeditions a) sightseeing trips which are not really dangerous b) Hazardous tours
EXERCISE III Fill in the gaps with the missing words: 1. The idea of not having to get up early every morning is rather ……………………….. to me. 2. He's always had a ……………… for adventure. 3. She's got a very ………………. voice. 4. You have to have such a lot of …………………….. when you're dealing with kids. 5. The new bridge is an incredible sight to ……………….. 6. The festival is to ……………………..everything from music, theatre and ballet to literature, cinema and the visual arts. 7. The company specializes in ……………………… computer systems, everything is adjusted to your needs. 8. New York is a very culturally …………………. city. 9. Textbook writing can be an intellectually and financially ………………….. activity. Sprawdź odpowiedzi na Angielski.Gazeta.pl |
Archiwum
Ostatnie notki
Zakładki:
Kursy językowe
Lekcje angielskiego
Słowniki
Partner
Obrazek tygodnia
|
GLOSSARY
