Business 'n Basics - Business English and Basics in Grammar

List of Contents

Working on Texts
English - the language of Business Communication
New Technologies – New Opportunities
An Office Conversation
Applying for a Job
Types of Business
Setting up a limited company
Advertising techniques 16
New Industries for Old

Commercial Correspondence
Application
Business letter format and conventions
Examples of Business letters
Job offers
Enquiry and Offer
Examples and Translations – Enquiry and Offer

Let’s talk about
Women and Work – A Woman’s Place
Buying and Selling
Launching a new product
Some Problems to solve
Travel abroad
Phrases

Grammar
Tenses
Mixed Tenses
Comparison of Adjectives
If – Sentences
Irregular Verbs

Tests
Reading Comprehension
Choose the right word
Conditional Clauses
Irregular Verbs
Vocabulary Check
If – Sentences

Literaturverzeichnis

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Working on Texts

English, the language of Business Communication

IMPORT/EXPORT (in Mio. DM)

1996

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Being among the leading importing and exporting nations in the world, West Germany essentially depends on international contacts and cooperation to maintain her role in the world market. As this is equally true of other nations, a common language is of great help in making international business possible. This role has mainly been taken over by the English language. The reasons for this can be found in the long-standing trading and commercial power of both Great Britain and the USA. Working for a German company will necessarily mean that you have to internationalize your qualifications because you will have to contact foreign companies to buy from or sell goods to them or you may even need to go abroad for business. You may have to answer phone calls from abroad or welcome foreign visitors to your company. You may also be expected to translate texts in English into German for further use in your company.

All this requires some background knowledge not only about the countries involved, but also about basic rules of business.

Communication is based on four skills:

Speaking

Listening

Reading

Writing

This also applies to business to business communication and telecommunications. The advantages of telecommunications are plain to see: even over long distances they provide an instant exchange of information which, in general, is not limited to office hours. Although the world-wide telecommunications network keeps growing rapidly and new means are being developed, the business letter still plays an important role. It provides a written record of agreements made orally and may provide evidence in the case of conflict. Moreover, it is often easier to write a letter if you have something upsetting or embarrassing to say.

Vocabulary:

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Understanding the text:

a. Which are the leading importing/exporting nations?
b. Which role does English play in international business?
c. What qualifications may be expected of you in a German company?
d. Which skills are required for the means of communication mentioned in the text?
e. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different forms of communication?

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New Technologies – New Opportunities

M&C – Young but successful

Most people have heard of Silicon Valley, in California. And most people know how Silicon Valley got its name: from computers.

Silicon Valley is the home of the American Computer industry. It has been a big success story, with small companies booming into worldwide corporations within the space of only a few years.

The secret of success in Silicon Valley in the early years was often brilliant ideas rather than financial strength. But there are people with good ideas all over the world, and, therefore, successful computer companies, too. One of them is M&C, which stands for Mace and Clark Advanced Computer Technology, a small specialist company in Birmingham, England. The secret of M&C´s success is their tailor-made software. M&C specialises in computer solutions for small businesses. Their customers are bakers, plumbers, decorators, small builders and so on.

But M&C does not only supply software, it offers and sells hardware, too.

M&C is run by Jean Mace and Stephen Clark. They own the company as co-partners and share responsibilities. Jean Mace looks after sales management and is the financial director, while Stephen Clark deals with the technical side.

Vocabulary:

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Understanding the text:

a. How do Jean Mace and Stephen Clark share responsibilities in their company?
b. What do you need besides money, to run a successful business?
c. Why has the company been named M&C Advanced Computer Technology?
d. What is Silicon Valley famous for?
e. For what reasons would a company contact M&C?

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An Office Conversation

It’s a Friday afternoon. Jean Mace rushes into Susan Leonard’s office. Susan is M&C´s secretary.

J.: Tell me Sue, what are you doing at the moment?

S.: I’m typing some confidential letters for Mr. Clark

J.: How long will that take? You see, I’m having some trouble with this contract proposal for Williams and Co.

S.: What’s the matter?

J.: Well, there are some last minute changes. It’s very urgent; Their agent is waiting for it, and I promised he would have it by Monday at the latest.

S.: Well, I know Stephen’s just preparing for his interview with those newspaper people on Monday. So perhaps this letter can wait.

J.: I’ll ask him. (Dials the number) Hello, Stephen!

I’m afraid we’ve got an emergency here. It’s about this proposal for Williams and Co. As you know we’ve got to get it to them by Monday. So I need Susan’s help! How desperately are you waiting for those letters? It’ll be alright to have them ready on Monday? OK, thank you. Bye for now!

S.: So- another long Friday!

Vocabulary:

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Understanding the text:

a. Why is Jean Mace asking for Susan’s help?
b. Can Susan help her at once?
c. How does Stephen react when Jean phones him?
d. Describe how Susan feels after the phone call.

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Applying for a Job

Job Interview

Today Martin Briggs, 16, is a bit nervous. He’s going for a job interview at M&C´s. Entering the office, he addresses Susan Leonard, the secretary.

M.: Good morning! Er, can you help me, please? I’ve an appointment with Miss Mace at 9.30.

S.: Then you must be Martin Briggs. I’m afraid Miss Mace is still in the assembly shop at the moment.

M.: If it’s inconvenient now, I’ll come later.

S.: No, I don’t think that will be necessary. It’ll only take a few minutes. You can wait in her office. This way please!

J.: Hello, Martin, I’m sorry to keep you waiting.

M.: That’s all right.

J.: So about this office job. The application you sent looks rather promising. But do you mind if I ask a few questions?

M.: No, of course not.

J.: Well, what made you decide to apply for this job in particular?

M.: Two reasons, basically. First, I’m interested in working with other people and organizing things. I’ve been on the committee of our youth club since I was 14.

Second I like working with computers and I think computers make office work much more interesting. So I think if I can work with a computer company, than I will be able to use modern, up-to-date equipment and combine my present interests.

J.: Tell me about your experience with computers.

M.: Well, I’ve got a home computer and I took programming course at school which showed me how useful a computer can be.

J.: If you weren’t right, we wouldn’t have so many customers! But I’m happy to say we have. In fact, sometimes our customers expect us to work practically round the clock, so we have to be very flexible about our working time. In other words, if we asked you to work overtime and the occasional Saturday, would you be willing to?

M.: That’s alright with me, provided public transport will allow it.

J.: Let’s see. You live in Walton. That means if you take the 8.15 you can be here

by 9. If we ask you to start earlier or stay longer in the evening, we’ll have to make sure that fits in with the timetables. Well, I’ve no more questions. Now you know roughly what the job involves; pay, holidays and so on were in our advertisement. Is there anything else you would like to know?

M.: Just one question really. When will I know whether you are able to offer me the job?

J.: It´ll take a few days because we are still interviewing, but so far you are quite high on my list. If you ring next Friday, we should be able to say. Anyway, I very much hope we’ll meet again.

M.: Thank you very much, Miss Mace. Good bye.

J.: Good bye, Martin.

Vocabulary:

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Understanding the text:

a. Why is today different for Martin Briggs?
b. Why can’t he talk to Miss Mace straightaway?
c. What led him to apply to M&C?
d. What kind of working hours can he expect?
e. What chance does Martin Briggs have to get the job?

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Types of Business

In Britain, a public limited company-“plc” for short – is a company whose shares anyone can buy. You don’t have to work for the company or have any other connection with it. If you own shares, you own a piece of the company and regularly receive an apart of the company’s benefits, known as your “dividend”. A Public limited company must have at least 7 members, but may in fact have several thousand shareholders. If any individual bought more than 50% of the shares, he would automatically be the able to control the company.

Once such a company has started business, you don’t buy more shares by investing more money in it. Instead you buy shares from existing shareholders. In a public limited company, you can buy and sell these shares openly and freely, generally through a Stock Exchange.

In a second type of business – a private limited company – a shareholder can only sell shares if all the other shareholders agree. Such companies have between 2 and 50 shareholders, and the company’s name includes the word “Limited “ or “Ltd”. In both these types of business, shareholders are liable for the company’s debts only up to the value of their shares. This means that if the company goes bankrupt, you (as a shareholder) will only lose your shares- nothing more.

But let us imagine you own a British business which is not limited. Maybe you are a “sole proprietor” (the only owner) or you are in a “partnership” (business owned by between 2 and 20 people). Then you have unlimited liability for your company’s debts. This means that if the company goes bankrupt, you may even have to sell your personal possessions in order to pay the company’s debts. If your partners don’t play any active role in the running and the work of the business, they are known as “sleeping partners”. But they share the profits with you and run the same risks if the company fails.

Similar to a limited company in Britain is the type of organisation in the United States known as a corporation. Like a British limited company, it has a board of directors (led by a chairman), who are often the major shareholders and who make the important decisions on company policy. The board normally employs a president and a number of vice presidents to execute this policy and to run the company’s day-to-day business. In some corporations, the chairman of the board and the president are the same person.

Vocabulary:

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Understanding the text:

a. In what kind of company do you have to get other people’s permission if you want to sell your shares?
b. Why is it better to be in a limited, rather than in an unlimited, company if it goes bankrupt?
c. If you were one of 20 people wishing to start a business, which of the following types of company would you be allowed to form: a public limited company; a private limited company; a partnership?
d. Have you ever thought of starting a business on your own or with partners? What kind of business? What kind of problems would you expect at the start?

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