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Vocabulary

1. Use the context to decide on the meaning of the following words and phrases from the text:

  1. to envisage

  2. to fail to accomplish the objectives

  3. to be staged

  4. top customers

  5. to put smb. in the right frame of mind

  6. shortcomings

  7. above all

  8. attendee

  1. Match each word on the left with a word on the right. Then use each expression in a sentence of your own:

1. to undermine a. whole

2. bungle b. kind and polite

3. blunder c. to make sth. weaker

4. costly d. expensive

5. foremost e. an important topic for discussion

6. issue f. a stupid or careless mistake

7. to be bound to sth. g. to try to satisfy a particular need or demand

8. to benefit from sth. h. sth. done badly or without skill

9. marginally i. the most important

10. to cater j. to gain sth.

11. condescending k. to be forced by law or circumstances to do

12. entire l. slightly

Discussion

What advice could you give an international conference organizer about the specific cultural needs of business people from your country and any other countries you know well? Work in small groups and outline your recommendations on paper.

Skills practice

Until three years ago, Eastern Architects and Designers Ltd. (EAD) was a highly profitable business with more work than it could comfortably handle. But then the property market collapsed and, like many architectural firms, EAD found itself struggling to survive.

EAD boss, Barry Jones, had always been on excellent terms with the architects who worked for him. A close-knit group, everyone at EAD got on well with everyone else. They worked hard in the office – and socialized a great deal after work. However, Barry was beginning to wonder how long the friendly atmosphere could last. Losses for two years running meant EAD could no longer afford to keep everyone on – there simply wasn't enough work to go round. He had to get rid of some of his staff to survive. The question was which of his architects should be made redundant? And how could he say to them, ‘Thanks very much, but goodbye.’?

Barry thought about the problem and identified four possible approaches to reaching a fair decision:

  1. Last in first out (LIFO): those architects, with the shortest periods of service in the company should go first.

  2. Voluntary redundancy: a generous severance package would be offered to anyone willing to take early retirement.

  3. Selection on merit: Barry would decide which employees were least useful to the company and make them redundant.

  4. Peer selection: the employees would meet to decide which of them should leave.

Role play

Work in groups of between five and eleven. One of you plays the role of Barry Jones, chairing the meeting to discuss which of the four approaches – or a combination of these – should be chosen. Each of the other group members plays the role of an architect.