English

Business

BUSINESS BASICS

1. Starting Up

Discuss the following questions.

1. When you see the word business, what do you think about?



2. Write your own definition of business in the space provided below. Begin your definition in this way:
Business is _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________.






2. Reading


Read the article and answer these questions.
a. What is one modern definition of business?
b. What does production involve?
c. What example of distribution in the reading? (Can you think of another example?)
d. How do goods differ from services?
e. What is profit? (in general, what do companies do with their profits?)


BUSINESS BASICS
Business is a word which is commonly used in many different languages. But exacly what does it mean? The concepts and activities of business have increased in modern times. Traditinolaly, business simply meant exchange or trade for thing people wanted or needed. Today it has a more technical defention. One defenition of business is the production, distribution, and sale of goods and services for a profit. To examine this defenition we will look at its various parts.
10First, production is the creation of services or the changing of materials into products. One example is the converstion of iron ore into mental car parts. Next these products need to be moved from the factory to the marketplace. This is known as distribution. A car might moved from a factory in Detroit to a car dealership in Miami.
www.crigs.uwe.ac.uk/.
15 The third is the sale of good s and services for money. A car is sold to someone in exchange for money. Goods are products which people either need or want; for example, cars can be classified as goods. Services, on the other person, are activities which a person or group performs for another person or organization. For instance, an auto mechanic performs a service when he repairs a car. A doctor also performs a service by taking care of people when they are sick.
20Business then is a combination of all these activities: production, distribution, and sale. However, there is one other important factor. This factor is the creation of profit or economic surplus. A major goal in the functioning of an American business company is making a profit. Profit is the money that remains after all the expenses are paid. Creating an economic surplus or profit is, therefore, a primary goal of business activity.



Adapted from Business Concept
For English Practice

Which of these statements are true? Correct the false ones.
1. Business is not just one activity but a combination of different operations such as, distribution, and sale.
2. Form ancient to modern times the definition f business has remained the same.
3. Moving a truckload of oranges from the orchard to the supermarket is an example of production.
4. A salesclerk provides a service by answering customs questions.


3. Vocabulary



a. Look at the term in the left-hand column and find the correct synonyms in the right-hand-column. Copy the corresponding letters in the blanks


__g___ goods (line 17 )
______ conversation (line )
______ for instance (line )
______ distribution (line )
______ exchange (line )
______ on the other hand (line )
______ examine (lien )


a) moving or transparency
b) trade
c) however
d) look at
e) change
f) for example
g) products

b. Fill in the blank with nouns or verb form. Use dictionary if necessary.

NOUN
VERB
1. production
2. ___________________________
3. ___________________________
4. conversation
5. ___________________________
6. distribution
1.____________________________
2. perform
3. examine
4. ___________________________
5. classify
6. ___________________________

4. Language Review




The Form of the Passive

BE + PAST PARTICIPLE (BY + Object)


Passive



ACTIVE
PASSIVE
Marry helps John
Margaret wrote the letter

1. John is helped by Marry
2. The Letter is written by Margaret




Exercises
A. Modals – Passive Voice Directions: Fill in the blank with the passive voice of the verb.

Example :
a. . A car is sold to someone in exchange for money.
b. These products need to be moved from the factory to the marketplace

1. Traffic regulations _______________________ by drivers as well as pedestrians.
(must/obey)
2. A driver ________________________ by the police.
(might/stop)
3. A driver _______________________________ to get out of the car.
(could/ask)
4. A driver _______________________________ to the police station.
(might/take)

5. Drunk drivers ___________________________ a sobriety test.
(may/give)
6. Drivers ________________________________ of their rights.
(must/inform)
7. A traffic accident ________________________ to the police.
(must report)
















B. Complete these sentences with the present simple or present continuous forms of the verb in the brackets.


Directions: Change the following sentences to the passive voice.

1. You must put out all smoking materials.
_____________________________________________________
2. You must fasten the seat belt.
_____________________________________________________
3. They will demonstrate safety precautions.
_____________________________________________________
4. You should read the safety instructions.
______________________________________________________
5. You can store small packages in the overhead compartment.

______________________________________________________


C. Please use active or passive in any appropriate tense, for the verb in parentheses.

1. There was a terrible accident on Jalan Sudirman yesterday. Dozens of people (see) _________________ it. Including my friend, who (interview) ______________ by the police.

2. In Indonesia, certain prices (control) ___________________________by the government, such as prices of medical supplies. However, other prices (determine) ________________ by how much people are willing to pay for a product.

3. Yesterday the wind (blow) _____________________ my hat off my head. I had to chase it down the street. I (want, not) _________________________ to lose it because it’s my favorite hat and it (cost) _____________________ a lot.

4. The first fish (appear) ___________________________ on the earth about 500 million years ago. Up to now, over 20,000 kinds of the fish (name) ______________________ and (describe) ______________________ by scientist. New species are discovered every year, so the total increases continually.




References

Dowling, Barbara Tolley and McDougal, Marianne, Business Concept for English Practice, London: Newbury House Publisher, Inc, 1982. pp. 3-5.

Frank, Marcella. Modern English: Exercises for non-native speakers, Part 1 Part of Speech, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1972, pp 48-49.

posted by nafant @ 6:59 AM 0 comments

made in europe

BRAND

1. Starting Up


List some of your favorite brands. Then answer these questions.

1. Are they international or national brands?
2. What image and qualities does each one have? Use the following words and phrases to help you.


value for money luxurious timeless well-made
to of he range durable inexpensive cool
reliable stylish fashionable sexy


2. Reading



Read the article and answer these questions.
a. Which brands are mentioned? Do you know which country each from?
b. Which companies make all of their products in their own country?


Made in Europe
Almost every fashion label outside the top super-luxury brands is either already manufacturing in Asia or thinking of it. Coach, the US leather goods maker, is a classic example. Over the five years, it has lifted all its gross margins by manufacturing solely I low –cost markets. In March 2002 it closed its factory in Lares, Puerto Rico, its last company-owned plant, and out sources all its products. Burberry has many Asian licensing arrangements. In 2000 it decided to renew Sanyo’s Japanese license for ten years. This means that almost half of Burberry’s sales at retail value will continue to be produced under license in Asia. At the same time however, Japanese consumers prefer the group’s European-made products.
Sanyo is now reacting to this demand for a snob alternative to the Burberry products made in its factories across Asia by opening a flagship store in Tokyo’s Ginza, where it sells Burberry products imported from Europe.
15In interviews with the FT, many executives say the top luxury brands will continue to be seen, particularly in Asia, as European. Domenico De Sole of Gucci says: “The Asian Consumer really does believe-whether it’s true or not – that luxury comes from Europe and must be made there to be the best.”
20Serge Weinmberg, Chief Executive of Pinault Printemps Redoute, which controls Gucci’s production offshore. Yet some in industry recognize that change may be round the corner even for the super-luxury brands. Patrizio Bartelli, Chief of Prada, says: “The ‘Made in Italy’ label is important but what we are really offering is a style, and style is an expression of culture.” He therefore recognizes that quality fashion items may not always need to be produced in Italy.
25Amitava Chattopadhyay, Professor of Marketing at Insead, the business school, says: “A brand is a set of associations in cardinal sin and no brand manager will want to get the balance between manufacturing location and the brand image wrong.”

Adapted from the Financial Times
By Jo Johnson, Fred Kapner and Richard Mcregor

Questions
Which of these statements are true? Correct the false ones.
1. Some Japanese people choose to buy Burberry products made in Europe rather than in Japan.
2. Sanyo’s store in Tokyo sells Burberry products made only in Asia.
3. Gucci is planning to outsource some of its products.
4. Patrizia Betelli believes that luxury fashion products should always be made in Europe
5. Amitave Chattopadhyay says that companies need to pay careful attention to where they manufacture their products.


2. Vocabulary




Match these word partnerships to their meanings.


loyalty
image
stretching
awareness
name


a) the name giving to a product by the company that makes it
b) using an existing name on another type of product
c) the ideas and beliefs people have about a brand
d) the tendency to always buy a particular brand
e) how familiar people are with a brand



3. Language Review



Simple Present
and Present Continuous

Simple Present
Present Continuous/Progressive
1. Expresses repeated action (includes the past, present and future)
The earth revolves around the sun (general truth).
I go there very often.


2. Expresses non-action (state or condition)
He seems tired.
She loves her children.
Coach outsources all its products.
Does Burberry outsource its products?

3. expresses future action (especially with verbs of arriving and departing)
We leave tomorrow.
The ship sails newt week.

1. expresses one action in the present:
a. of short duration
He is studying the lesson.
He’s writing a letter.
We are testing a new brand at the moment.

b. of long duration
He is giving a lecture tomorrow.
The ship is sailing next week.

2. expresses future action
He is studying English.
He’s writing a book.

3. expresses the beginning, progression or end of an action.
It is beginning to snow.



Exercises
A. Which of the time expressions below do we usually use with the present simple? Which of the time expressions do we usually use with the present continuous? Which are used with both?


usually this year every day now
often nowadays once a month currently
at the moment these days




B. Supply the simple present or the present progressive form of the verb. In a few sentences either form may be used.
Example :
a. The milk (taste) _______tastes_______sour
b. She (taste) _____ is tasting_____ the soup to see if it needs more salt.

1. The play (begin) ________________________ now.
2. She (try) _________________ to finish her work early today.
3. I (hope ) ___________ to see you again.
4. We (plan) ________________ to buy a house soon.
5. The sun (rise) __________ in the east and (set) _____ in the west.
6. I sometimes ( forget) _______to take my key when I (leave) ______ the house.

7. Sanyo (react- now)__________________ to demand.





C. Complete these sentences with the present simple or present continuous forms of the verb in the brackets.

1. a) This year we ________ (try) to develop a brand with personality.
b) We usually _________ (develop) brands that say something.

2. a) Powerful brand names __________ (create) strong consumer loyalty.
b) At the Moment we __________ (look) for a new brand name that suggest something about the product’s benefits and qualities.

3. a) The Marketing department always _________ (keep) within it’s budget.
b) Because the company made a loss last year, the marketing department _________(try) to reduce costs.



References

Cotton, David, David Falvey and Simon Kent. Market Leader, Intermediate Business English Course Book, New Edition, England: Person Longman, 2005, pp 6-9.

Frank, Marcella. Modern English: Exercises for non-native speakers, Part 1 Part of Speech, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1972, pp 48-49.

posted by nafant @ 6:51 AM 0 comments