Tick (/) the things this visitor to Busyville does right, and put a cross (X) by her mistakes.
In Busyville, people start work at eight, and officially finish at six, though many
managers stay much longer. There is a culture of presenteeism: being at work when you don't need to be.
There is a two-hour lunch break, and a lot of business is done over restaurant lunches. (Lunch is the main meal. The working breakfast is rare). There are no snacks between meals, just coffee, so eat properly at meal times.
As for punctuality, you can arrive up to 15 minutes 'late' for meetings. If invited to someone's house (unusual in business), arrive 15-30 minutes after the time given. Don't phone people at home about work, and don't phone them at all after 9 pm.
I phoned my contact in her office at 7.30 pm. (1___) I suggested a working breakfast the next morning. (2___) She wasn't keen, so I suggested lunch. (3___) We arranged to meet at her office at 12.30. I arrived at 12.45 (4___) and we went to a restaurant, where we had a very gooddiscussion. That evening I wanted to check something, so I found her name in the phone book and phoned her at home. (5___) She was less friendly than at lunchtime. I said I would be back in Busyville in mid-August (6___). Not a good time, she said, so I suggested September. (7___)
SUPPLEMENTARY READING
Text 3
BUSINESS TRAVEL ABROAD
Business Executives who hope to profit from their travel abroad should learn about the history, culture, and customs of the countries they wish to visit. Business manners and methods, religious customs, humor, and acceptable dress vary widely from country to country. It is recommended that business travelers prepare for country visits by reading travel guides, which are located in the travel sections of most libraries and bookstores.
Some of the cultural distinctions include differences in business styles, attitudes toward punctuality, negotiating styles, gift-giving customs, greetings, significance of gestures, meanings of colors and numbers, and customs regarding titles. For example, consider the following:
The number 7 is considered bad luck in Kenya and good luck in Czech Republic. The number 10 is bad luck in Korea, and 4 means death in Japan.
In Bulgaria a nod means no, and shaking the head from side to side means yes.
Red color is popular in China and Korea, but is not popular in Africa. Purple is associated with death in Brazil and in many Spanish-speaking countries. Yellow flowers are a sign of infidelity in France, but one of death in Mexico.
Any firm must pay close attention to different styles of doing business in different countries.
Attitudes to punctuality vary greatly from one culture to another and, if misunderstood, can cause confusion. Romanians, Japanese, and Germans are very punctual, whereas people in many of the Latin countries are more relaxed toward time. The Japanese consider it rude to be late for a business meeting, but acceptable, even fashionable, to be late for a social meeting.
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Sometimes something as simple as greetings can be misunderstood. Traditional greeting may be a handshake, a hug, a nose rub, a kiss, placing the hands in praying position, or various other gestures.
Proper use of names and titles is often a source of confusion in international business relations. First names are seldom used when doing business in Germany. In France and Belgium it is important to address business people as Monsieur or Madame, while in English-speaking countries they should be addressed as Mr. or Mrs.
It is also important to understand customs concerning gift giving. In some countries gifts are expected, whereas in other countries offering a gift is considered offensive. Gift giving is an important part of doing business in Japan, but gifts are rarely exchanged in Germany. It is not a normal custom in Belgium or the United Kingdom either, although in both countries flowers are a suitable gift when invited in someones home.
Customs concerning the exchange of business cards also vary. Although this point seems of minor importance, card giving is a key part of business protocol. In Japan, for example, the Western practice of accepting a business card and pocketing in immediately is considered rude. You should carefully look at the card after accepting it, observe the title and organization, acknowledge with a nod that the information has been digested, and perhaps make a comment or ask a polite question.
As illustrated in the examples, it is very important to have knowledge of the business culture, business methods, and consumer habits before traveling abroad. This is very likely to have a positive impact on overseas travel.
UNIT 3 RECRUITING
DISCUSSION
1. What kind of a company would you like to work for: state-owned, private limited company,
multinational corporation, etc. Can you explain why?
2. How many different ways of finding a job can you think of? Which one is the most reliable?
3. What is, from your point of view, the general relation between age and job satisfaction?
Text 1
RECRUITMENT
VOCABULARY
recruiting / recruitment / hiring - ,
a recruit ,
a recruiter - ()
recruitment agencies
time-consuming ,
to fill requirements
applicant ,
maintain
to prosper
to work a territory
goodwill
staff turnover
proper utilization
worker performance
an essential component
a motive - , , ; ;
equitable treatment
to meet the needs
disgruntled ,
morale is high
The process of finding people for particular jobs is recruitment or, especially in American English, hiring. Someone who has been recruited is a recruit or, in American English, a hire. The company employs or hires them; they join the company. There are many sources of recruitment. A company may recruit employees directly or use outside recruiters such as recruitment agencies, job centers, advertising.
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Recruiting good people is a difficult task. It is time-consuming and costly. To select a good worker, managers should hire those individuals who are best qualified to fill the job requirements. The education, experience and personality of each applicant must be carefully considered. The main objective of the personnel function is to recruit and maintain an efficient work force. This includes effective management of people, good relationships between people and opportunities for individual development. The selection of effective personnel is important if a business is to grow and prosper. A well-chosen labor force will be more productive than a poorly-chosen one. Do a good job of selecting and recruiting employee and they will stay with you. People who work a territory for years build up goodwill for the company; they become well-acquainted with the customs needs and are able to give advice rooted in experience. Customers place a lot of confidence in such people. A poorly-selected labor force means a high staff turnover.
Proper utilization of people is one of the most important aspects of managers job. Research reveals that worker performance is closely related to motivation; thus keeping employee motivated is an essential component of good management. In a business context, motivation refers to the stimulus that directs the behavior of workers towards the company goals. In order to achieve company goals, managers must be aware of workers needs.
A manager who has an understanding of what the employee wants from work will have a better chance of having more satisfied and productive employees. Studies of employee motivation point out that people work for many different reasons. The reason or reasons a person behaves a certain way is called a motive. There are many explanations of what motivates employees. An individual has many different levels of needs.
The following six factors are considered as contributing to employee satisfaction:
- recognition;
- means of obtaining recognition;
- good environment;
- managerial competence;
- job security;
- justice, equitable treatment.
When one level of needs is satisfied, the next level has the greatest influence on a persons behaviour.
The experience shows that employee performance is a complex topic to understand. Developing a work environment where the employee meets the needs of the business and the business meets the needs of the employee is what the most successful managers work at.
No matter how automated production becomes, the role of people are central in every business. The most expensive equipment is ineffective in the hands of careless and disgruntled workers and managers carry the main responsibility for ensuring that morale is high in the organization.
WORD STUDY
Ex. 1. Study the different meanings of the word apply and use it to translate the sentences.
to apply (v) 1) , ()
2) (, ,
. .
3) (-.); , (-.)
to apply to 4) , ; ;
( -. / -.)
5) (-.), (, ; -.)
application (n) 1) , , ; ,
2) , , ;
3) , ,
applied (adj) - ,
Study different collocations with the words apply and application
to apply in person -
to apply rule -
to apply to smb. for smth. - -. -
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to apply for a job -
to file (make, send in) an application -
to reject (turn down) an application -
to withdraw an application -
written application -
application for admission to a university -
application for a job, job application -
1. What I am saying does not apply to you.
2. We applied to the authorities for assistance.
3. She applied herself to her new duties with great energy.
4. In the year starting September 1991/92 the school had more applicants for admission than it
could accommodate.
5. This rule applies to all.
6. My co-worker advised me to apply for a rise in salary.
7. They have chosen another candidate, so I had to withdraw my job application.
8. I applied to the manager for a transfer to another department.
9. Microeconomics theory is used widely in many areas of applied economics
10. He filed an application to be admitted to the intensive course.
