Discussion

Texts

Language work

Skills

Case study

1

Discussion:
Talk about your favourite brands

Discuss two authentic product promotions

Reading : Outsourcing production – Financial Times

Listening: An interview with a brand consultant

Words that go with brand and product

Present simple and present continuous

Taking part in meetings 1

Caferoma: Solve the problems of a leading brand

Writing:
e-mail

2

Discussion:
Talk about your travel experiences

Reading :
Air rage – Guardian

Listening: A business traveller’s priorities

British and American travel words

Talking about the future

Making arrangements on the telephone

Work, rest and play: Choose a suitable hotel for a seminar in France

Writing: e-mail

3

Discussion:
Rank status symbols in order of importance

Reading : Flexibility in the workplace – Fast Company

Listening: An interview with the partner of a management consultancy

Words and expressions to describe company structure

Noun combinations

Socialising: introductions and networking

Auric Bank: Choose the best way to reorganise customer services.

Writing: report

4

Discussion:
Discuss attitudes to change in general and at work

Rank stressful situations

Reading : Change in retailing – Financial Times

Listening: An interview with a business transformation director

Words for describing change

Past simple and present perfect

Taking part in meetings 2

Acquiring Metrot: Agree on changes at a company that has been taken over

Writing: action minutes

5

Discussion:
Do a quiz and discuss attitudes to money

Reading : Two financial reports – Financial Times

Listening: An interview with the founder of a finance firm

Words and expressions for talking about finance

Describing trends

Dealing with figures

Angel Investments: Choose a company to invest in

Writing:
e-mail

6

Discussion:
Discuss authentic advertisements

Discuss good and bad advertising practices

Reading : Successful advertising – Guardian

Listening: An interview with the head of planning at an advertising agency

Words and expressions for talking about advertising

Articles: a , an , the , zero article

Starting presentations

Focus Advertising: Create and present an advertising campaign

Writing: summary

7

Discussion:
Discuss the importance of cultural awareness in business

Reading : Advice for doing business across cultures

Listening: An interview with a trainer in cultural awareness

Idioms for talking about business relationships

Modals of advice, obligation and necessity

Social English

See also: the social-cultural game on pages 138 and 139

Visitors from China : Plan a visit by a Chinese manufacturer

Writing:
e-mail

8

Discussion:
Choose the most important qualities for getting a job

Describe best and worse experiences at work

Reading : Retaining good staff – Financial Times

Listening: An interview with an executive search consultant

Words to describe the recruitment process and personal character

Indirect questions and statements

Managing meetings

Slim Gyms: Choose the best candidate for the job of General Manager

Writing: letter

9

Discussion:
Discuss ideas about globalisation

Reading : Fair trade – Guardian

Listening: An interview with an expert on negotiating

Words for talking about international trade

Conditions

Negotiating

Ashbury Guitars: Negotiate a deal with an overseas guitar manufacturer

Writing: e-mail

10

Discussion:
Discuss ideas ofquality

Reading : Old-fashioned quality – Financial Times

Listening: An interview with the Senior Vice President of a prestigious hotel chain.

Words for talking about quality control and customer service

Gerunds and infinitives

Complaining on the telephone

Brookfield Airport : Work out an action plan following complaints from passengers

Writing: report

11

Discussion:
Discuss questions of ethics at work

Rank a list of unethical activities

Reading : Business ethics – Financial Times

Listening: An interview with a bank executive

Words to do with honesty or dishonesty

Narrative tenses

Problem-solving

Profit or principle? Decide if a manager has acted unethically and what action to take

Writing: letter

12

Discussion:
Discuss the qualities of good leadership

Reading : Profile of a leading Chief Executive – Financial Times

Listening: An interview with an expert in leadership training

Words to describe character Relative clauses

Decision-making

Orbit Records: Discuss ideas to save a failing music retailer

Writing:
e-mail

13

Discussion:
Talk about innovations in your daily life and in the

twentieth century

Reading : In-company innovation – Fortune magazine

Listening: An interview with an expert on presentations

Words and expressions to describe innovations

Passives

Presentation techniques

Style is everything: Prepare a product presentation for a competition

Writing: short article or press release

14

Discussion:
Do a quiz on how competitive you are

Reading : Losing competitive edge – Financial Times

Listening: An interview with the Marketing Manager of a credit card business

Idioms from sport to describe competition Modals of probability

Negotiating

Beverley Watches: Choose the best supplier

Writing: e-mail