Task 10. Writing 1

Read the text thoroughly again and make a summary (100 words). Consult Writing References, see Appendix I p. 131.

Task 11. Reading 4

Error correction. You are the Personal Assistant to Richard Grieves, the Sales Manager at Fenton Floy Ltd. He has been asked for a brief report on sales for the last quarter by Robert Davidson, the Managing Director. The report was drafted and sent down to the typing pool but it has e-merged with a number of mistakes in it. Richard has asked you to go through it correcting any errors you find. 'There are at least ten obvious errors,' he says, 'and there may be more’.

Sales for the last quarter of 2015 for the first time in six years we have fallen short of our quarterly sales target (by approximately 3 %) and while this was a disappointment to the whole of our team there are some simple explanations for the poor results. I understand you have already been given a detailed breakdown of the sales figures.

Overseas Division

The recent falls in the value of the US dollar have had an adverse effect on our sales in that part of the world. We find ourselves in an extremely competitive market, with a number of domestic companies already undercutting our prices. We have until now managed to retain our 10 % share of the market, but the further decline of the dollar has put new pressure on us.

New Products Division

This is the other area which has produced disappointing results. The explanation here is, as you will know that the Head of the Division recently suffered a heart attack and will not be returning to work. His replacement, Michael Graeme, had to be brought in from outside the company. While I am sure he will soon bring about a recovery, there has been a temporary downturn in sales in this division.

Action being taken

every member of my team has been made aware of the seriousness of the situation and I am glad to say that from the projections in front of me it looks as if our total sales are once again beginning to rise, please let me know if you require any further details.

Richard Grieves

Task 12. Reading 5

Getting started

▪ What do you know about the concept of “decision-making”? Discuss it in small groups.

▪ Think about situations when you are to make a decision and choose between alternatives: what influences your choice.

▪ Now read the text and check your ideas. Consult Vocabulary p. 140– 141.

When we talk about making decisions in business we tend to think of the major decisions which are made from time to time, such as the decision to go ahead with the Eurotunnel Project, or the decision to appoint a new chairman for the National Coal Board. The fact is that a multitude of decisions are being made in business every day. Certainly there are major decisions in process as the boards of directors and chief executives in large public companies decide to enter new markets, spend millions on new plant and machinery or advertising campaigns, and buy new buildings or make take-over bids against their most threatening competitors. Yet, for every one of these monumental decisions there area hundred thousand decisions made by more ordinary mortals.

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