Tasks: 1. Read the text “What is Business?” and learn unfamiliar words.

Discuss the topic “What’s Business” through questions and answers.

Read the conversation “Partnership” and memorize unfamiliar words and phrases.

Dramatize the conversation. Work in pairs.

Retell the text: Something about my business. (see p. 3).

 

PARTNERSHIP

(conversation)

 

Two friends, Martin and Barbara, are having lunch together in a restaurant.

 

Martin:	Well, it’s been a long time, Barbara. What have you been doing?
Barbara:	I’ve been pretty busy. You know. I went into business with my friend, Jean.
Martin:	Oh, yes. How’s it going?
Barbara:	Pretty well. We get along quite well and the shop is beginning to attract more customers.
Martin:	Good. Are you two a partnership?
Barbara:	Yes. I’m very pleased about it. We seem to have the right combination. Jean’s background is in accounting. She’s the one who’s good at keeping the books and ordering stock.
Martin:	And you?
Barbara:	Well, you know. I’ve always liked taking a lot – I guess I’m rather good with customers. I enjoy selling.
Martin:	Sounds interesting. I guess it’s not too risky a business.
Barbara:	We haven’t had any problems, although I suppose all business can be risky. Being partners, we’re both liable
Martin:	Did you both put the same amount of money into the business? Or do you mind my asking?
Barbara:	To tell you the truth, we didn’t invest the same amount of capital. But we’ve combined our resources very well, I think. It seems to be a good deal for both of us.
Martin:	It sounds like it. That is one advantage of a general partnership. One partner can invest less capital than the other – in fact, no money at all – but a partnership can contribute important services or skills, something just a name or reputation.
Barbara:	Exactly
Martin:	What kind of arrangement do you have for distribution of profits and losses?
Barbara:	They’re equally shared. We hope to be in business for a long time.
Martin:	Good for you. You’ve really become very knowledgeable about business.
Barbara:	Believe me. I’m still learning. The subject becomes quite technical.
Martin:	But I’m glad to hear you’re doing so well. Next time, you’ll take me to lunch.

 

Words

partnership	- партнерство
to go into business	- заняться бизнесом
to get along well	- ладить, находиться в хороших взаимоотношениях
to be pleased/about/	- быть довольным чем-то, кем-то
to keep the books	- вести бухгалтерский учет
to enjoy doing smth	- получить удовольствие делая что-то.
background	- подготовка
stock	- зд. ассортимент товаров, акции, основной капитал, осн. фонды
be liable	- нести ответственность
a good deal	- очень много
advantage disadvantage	- преимущество - недостаток
skills	- умения, навыки, квалифицированность
distribution	- распределение
arrangement	- договоренность
Тhey are equally shared	- они делятся поровну
Good for you!	- Молодец! Молодцы!

 

Task: Read and retell the text. Learn unfamiliar words.

SETTING UP A SMALL BUSINESS

 

Not long ago I decided to set up a small business. As I had no experience in business activities it was difficult for me to choose an appropriate business. So I went to the lawyer’s for consultation.

After clarifying all the details of my project and my financial possibilities he recommended me to set up a small business in the field of services. According to the lawyer anyone who wants to set up a small business is to make sure that he/she is choosing one which will work and yield big profit. This requires a thorough investigation into the customers’ needs. So, the first step I had to take was to study my future customers’ needs and wants.

I knew there were many car owners in my neighborhood. Why not open a car service station? Said I to myself, and got down to business. One of the difficulties. I was faced with (I encountered) was lack of money, and I had to borrow it from the bank. The next day I made a loan of 2 mln pounds, and was “on the seventh heaven” because now I could put my project into practice.

Now, at the prime of my business life I still remember my lawyer’s words: when choosing a business weight all pros and cons and ask yourself the questions: what kind of customers am I going to serve upon? How many potential customers are there in my district? How shall I attract customers? What products or services shall I offer?

 

Words

 

to set a small business	- открыть малое предприятие
appropriate	- надлежащий
lawyer	- юрист, адвокат
to make sure	- удостовериться
to yield profits	- приносить прибыль
thorough investigation into	- тщательное изучение
to attract	- привлекать
to be faced with (to encounter)	- столкнуться с
to borrow	- взять взаймы
in the prime of	- в расцвете
to weigh all pros and cons	- взвесить все «за» и «против»
district	- район (города)
to choose(chose, chosen)	- выбирать

Questions

1. What did you decide to do not long ago?

2. Were you experienced in business activities?

3. Whom did you decide to consult?

4. What did the lawyer recommend you to do?

5. What is it necessary for a would-be businessman to keep in mind (помнить, иметь ввиду)?

6. What business did man decide to start?

7. Did you encounter any difficulties when starting your business?

8. Why were you “on the seventh heaven” when you solved your money problem?

9. What words of your lawyer do you still remember?

Tasks: 1. Read the story and learn unfamiliar terms.

Answer the questions.

Retell the story in your own words.

Read, learn by heart and dramatize the dialogues given below.

 

Dialogue 1

 

- What’s the news, Mr. White? How is business?

- Pretty good, thank you. And how are things with you?

- Well, not too good, I’m afraid, and going from bad to worse. In fact, it’s the worst year we’ve had for a long time.

- I’m sorry to hear that. I hope things will improve.

- Yes, let’s hope for the better, though to tell the truth, there’s no ground for optimism.

- What’s troubling you in particular?

- The financial affairs of my business. Profits are becoming smaller and smaller. I’ve built up many debts, and it’ll come as no surprise if once I go bust.

- Oh, be calm. I’m sure things won’t go as bad as that.

 

Words

to tell the truth	- по правде говоря
there’s no ground for	- нет основания
it’ll come as no surprise	- будет неудивительно
to go bust	- обанкротиться

 

Dialogue 2

- Mr. Clark: Good morning. Is that Baker’s office?

- Secretary: Good morning. Backer’s office speaking. What can I do for you?

- This is John Clark. I was wondering whether Mr. Baker could see me today.

- I’m afraid Mr. Baker won’t be able to meet you today. He’s got several engagements.

- Then I’d better ask you to make an appointment for me. I suppose you won’t mind to do me a favour?

- No, certainly, not. I’ll just put it in his diary. Let me have a look at his schedule this week. unfortunately, Mr. Baker has got a very busy schedule Monday through Friday. What about Friday? Will 3.15 suit you?

- No, I’m awfully sorry, but I shan’t be in London on Friday.

- Then could you manage Monday, say eleven o’clock?

- Yes, that would be quite all right. Thank you ever so much.

 

Task: Compose the story, using the following words.

I. “How I started my business”.

Not long ago; to make up one’s mind; to set up a small business; by the way, doing business has become very popular nowadays; to be frank with you; to have no experience in...; to consult the solicitor; to advise; to choose a business; in the field of; to weight all pros and cons; to have to solve many problems (what many customers to serve, how to attract them, to produce goods or provide service finally/ in the long run/); to manage; to find the successful solution of now; to be satisfied with, the progress my business is making.

Thanks God! It’s prospering, and to make big profits.

 

II. Each student takes one point and tells the story one after another:

1) the other day

there was a telex for me from London from Mr. Fox.

He to invite me – to participate in a business meeting

the news was like a bolt from the blue (как гром среди ясного неба).

2) naturally

to accept the invitation, and on the next day

to leave (left) for London three hours later

to be in Mr. fox’s office

he – to be waiting for me when I came.

3) I must say

the meeting

to be very pleasant; Mr. Fox

to receive me very warmly

to be glad to see me, and we to have a nice talk.

4) during the talk he to offer me a transaction (сделка) which, to my mind, was going to be very profitable (выгодная)

frankly speaking it was a pleasant surprise to me

of course, I was ready to accept(принять).

5) after a short discussion of the terms and price I to get in touch(связаться с …) with my company to receive its OK. Then we to come to agreement and to decide to sing a contract form.

6) by the way

the equipment produced by Fox’s Company

to be in good demand (большой спрос)

on the world market (рынок)customer – to give a high assessment to it (высокая оценка)

because of its high quality (качество).

7) I must say the products of Fox’s Co. meet modern requirements (удовлетворять современным требованиям) and to enjoy popularity in Europe.

Briefly speaking – I – to be pleased with the deal and my trip to London.

8) It goes without saying(само собой разумеется) I to be very grateful to Mr. Fox for his assistance (помощь) without which I could never realize my business plan and – to put my project into practice. Soon the financial position of my company – to change for the better.

TOPIC: BUSINESS

 

TASK 1

 

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