About business (Corporate social responsibility)

Adverse (adjective, negative) unpleasant or harmful: An adverse reaction from the public

Align (verb) to give you support publicly to; bring yourself into agreement with be in agreement with

Altruism (noun) a way of thinking and behaving that shows you care about other people and their interests more than you care about yourself

Bean (noun; count) a seed of various plants that is cooked and eaten: coffee beans

Bear (verb; transitive) to pay: a new study has confirmed that the wealthiest Americans bear the income tax burden

Contend (verb; transitive) contend that; to claim that something is true

corporate social responsibility a company’s duty to be accountable to all groups having an interest in its activities

Dismay (verb transitive)to make someone very worried, disappointed, or sad

Credo (noun; count)) a statement of your beliefs

Global warming (noun; uncount) – the slow increase in the temperature of the Earth caused partly by the greenhouse effect increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Hybrid (noun; count) – a mixture of two different things: hybrid vehicle a vehicle using two different kinds of energy

Mindful ( adjective) careful or conscious of something

Offset (verb transitive) to balance the effect of something, with the result that is no advantage or disadvantage: Falling sales in Thailand were offset by strong performances in other markets

presumption - the expectation that something is true. which you don't question

Sound -healthy

Strive - to make a lot of effort to achieve something

Sue - to make a legal claim against someone, usually to get money from them because they have done something bad to you

Sustainable - capable of continuing for a long time at the same level

Utility - a public service such as gas, water or electricity that is used by everyone

 

Meetings, ethical behaviour and social performances)

Ad hoc - done only when needed for a specific purpose, without planning or preparation

Extravagant - extreme, excessive or unreasonable

Fellow - used for talking about people who are similar to you or in the same situation as you

Fine - an amount of money that you have to pay because you have broken the law

Foodstuff - a type of food

Lawsuit - a case that a court of law is asked to decide involving a disagreement between two people or organizations

Regulatory - a regulatory organization makes sure companies follow the rules and maintain standards of safety, health, etc.

1.

the profit that a company makes for its investors (two words): shareholder value

money paid because someone is injured or has lost their job: compensation

rooms and equipment that are provided for a particular purpose: facilities

organizations that give help to people who need it: charities

the land, water and air that people live in: environment

treating someone unfairly in order to get a benefit for yourself: exploiting

capable of continuing for a long time: sustainable

a situation in which people have the same chances as everyone else (two words): equal opportunity

things you say or write when you are not happy: complaint

agree with and support publicly: align

2.

acknowledge any problem - that exists

act with integrity - towards employees

compensate victims - for any damage caused

limit the impact - of any problem

negotiate settlements - which satisfy everyone

obey the law or - face a lawsuit or fine

recognize merit - when staff perform well

uphold standards - ofcommon decency

 

3.

Beginning

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Is everyone here? I have received just one (1) apology for absence from Celia. OK, I think we can begin. Let’s start by (2) approving the minutes of the last meeting. Any comments? They’re quite straightforward, I think. Good. Now, there is a lot to discuss today, so let’s try to (3) stick to the agenda. OK, who is going to (4 ) introduce the first item?

Middle

That’s interesting, but I think we’re (5) getting side-tracked. Could we (6) come back to this later? OK. Now, Antonio, we haven’t heard from you. Do you (7) have any views on this issue?... I (8) see your point, but you have to consider the impact on our budget. (9) Wouldn’t you agree that there will be

substantial costs if we do as you suggest?... OK, there seems to be a consensus, so we don’t need to (10) take a vote. This would be a good time to (11) break for coffee.

End

Good, I think we’ve reached a (12) unanimous decision we finish we need to deal with (13) any other business have any other issue that we haven’t discussed? OK, I think we can (14) close the meeting.

 

as a rule = on the whole

finally = in conclusion

clearly = obviously

in addition = moreover

in other words = that is to say

consequently = therefore

especially = in particular

in brief =to sum up

 

add a second point to support your argument? in addition = moreover

highlight one fact or point? especially = in particular

make a generalization? as a rule = on the whole

Grammar 7 unit

Future forms

Will + do

I’ll open the window.

instant decisions, predictions, future facts

going + do

It’s going to rain.

Plans and intentions prediction based on present situation

Is / are doing

I’m saying the doctor at 10:30.

Fixed arrangement for the future

 

Will has two main uses:

1 predictions and facts about the future

2 decisions, promises and offer of help that we make at the moment of speaking.

The second use is informal, and in this use will is usually contracted to ‘ll.

Decisions, promises and offer of help are often combined:

OK, I’ll email the information to you this afternoon.

( instant decision + promises )

I’ll speak to my boss and see if we can do that.

( instant decision+ offer of help )

BE GOING TO:

Be going to has two main uses:

1 predictions, especially where there is strong evidence in the present situation

Look out! It’s going to fall.

2 Plans and decisions we have already made.

We’re going to cut forty job next month.

WILL or GOING

Predictions:

· Will is more likely if the prediction is based on the speaker’s thought and opinions

· Going to is more likely if the prediction is based evidence in the present situation.

Decisions:

· Will is more likely if the prediction is spontaneous, made at the moment of speaking

· Going is more likely if the prediction has been made previously, and so now it is a plan.

Going to or present continues:

Going to is slightly more likely if it’s gust a plan.

The present continues is slightly more likely if the arrangement is fixed, with a time and a place.

I’m going to see my bank manager next week.

I’m seeing my bank manager at 10:30 next Tuesday.

50% 1 We have a 50/50 chance of success.

20% 2 We’re unlikely to get a better offer.

0% 3 There’s no way my boss will agree.

100% 4 Artip will definitely be sold.

50% 5 Costs are rising: it’s possible our competitors will put up their prices.

20% 6 It’s going to be a tough negotiation, but they might just accept our offer.

100% 7 It’s in everybody’s interest: the merger will definitely go ahead.

10% 8 There’s not much chance our suppliers will deliver by next week..

90% 9 You did a good job: you’re almost certain to get a raise.

50% 10 Their cultures are different, but I suppose they could find common ground.

90% 11 Wait a few months: the asking price is bound to come down.

70% 12 There’s a good chance we’ll meet the deadline.

90% 13 It’s highly likely that taxes will increase.

50% 14 It’s still uncertain, but they may announce a merger.

70% 15 Chris has all the right qualifications: she’s likely to get the job.

90% 16 In the months to come, we fully expect sales to increase.

1 There’s a good chance the merger will go ahead 50%→70%

2 The merger will definitely go ahead. 100%→100%

3 The merger definitely won’t go ahead. 0%→0%

4 The merger might just go ahead. 50%→20%

5 The merger is almost certain to go ahead. 100%→90%

6 It’s highly likely the merger will go ahead. 70%→90%

7 We fully expect the merger to go ahead 70%→90%

 

100% it will defi nitely

90% it’s almost certain to

70% it’s likely to

50% it might

20% it might just

10% there’s not much chance it will

0% there’s no way it will

 

increase	decrease	stability	Rise and fall
to double to peak to climb to rise to jump to reach a high to rocket to soar to ascend	to dip to slump to drop to deteriorate to slide to fall to plummet to descend to hit a low	to stabilize to level off	to fluctuate to vary to undulate

 

 

Will + V	Am/are/is going to + V	Am/are/is Ving
instant decision e.g. I'll open the door. prediction based on the speaker's thought and opinion (after the verbs situation think, believe, suppose, etc.) e.g. I think he will pass his exam. future facts e.g. They will send their offer next	plans and intentions e.g. He is going to write a report. prediction based on a present situation e.g. look at these dark clouds. It is going to rain.	fixed arrangements for the future e.g. I'm seeing the doctor at 10.30.

 

Unit 8

in time means ‘with enough time’

on time means ‘at the right time’

 

in the end means ‘eventually’ or ‘fi nally’

at the end refers to the last part of something

by the end means ‘at or before the end’

towards the end means ‘near the end’

at last shows pleasure because something

happens that you have been waiting for

 

Verb preposition
agree / consent / refer	to
comply / sympathize / associate	with
vote / pay / allow	for
expend / reiy/ insist	on
resuit / invest / succeed	in
suffer / emerge / hear	from
apply /look / apologize	for
consist / approve / think	of
access/call/ tell	no preposition
insure / fight / protect	against
1 ask for / resort to / object to / attend — / borrow from / account for / discuss — / react to / comment on / conform tQ

 

Noun + preposition

involvement in	an effect on
substitute for	respect for
the need for	a tax on
a solution to	access to
dealings with	responsibility for

 

an invoice to issue to settle to query	Goods to provide to load to ship	An application to submit to vet to approve
Conditions to state to meet to comply with	A deal To negotiate To make To sign	A payment To make To meet To chase

 

credit line / credit terms / credit period / credit sales / credit card f credit insurance / credit policy

insurance claim / insurance policy / insurance sales

customer credit / customer loyalty / customer portfolio

Review Unit7

Will

The merger will take place next January = a promise about the future

I think the merger will probably take place sometime early next year = a prediction about future based on an opinion

I’ ll open the window – it’s a bit hot in here = an instant decision

I’ ll carry your suitcase to the car = an offer or help

I’ ll call you next week. Bye! = a future fact

4.

Bye! – Bye! I’ll see you tomorrow

Are you ready to order now? – Yes, I’ll have the roast lamb

Can you send me a copy of your new brochure? – Of course, I’ll put one in the mail this afternoon.

I only have an hour to get to the airport – Don’t worry, I’ll call a taxi

Are you going for a drink with you colleagues? – Yes, but I don’t think I’ll be back late

 

6.

In says in this article that there are going to be job cuts in our banking sector – Prediction

I’m going to see my bank manager about the loan next week – Plan

You want delivery by the end of the month? – Prediction

We’re going to launch the new model at the Frankfurt – Plan

 

9.

Have you heard the news? Citibank are going to make a bid for Tatra Banka.

The UK will probably start using the euro

If you’re busy, I’ll come back later.

I was talking with my friends yesterday – we’re going to go skiing in the Alps.

 

10.

100% it will definitely

90% it’s almost certain to

70% it’s likely to

50% it might

20% it might just

10% there’s not much chance it will

0% there’s no way it will

 

11.

There’s s good chance the merger will go ahead = 50 – 70%

The merger will definitely go ahead = 100 – 100 %

The merger definitely won’t go ahead = 0 – 0 %

The merger might just go ahead. = 50 – 20 %

The merger is almost certain to go ahead. = 100 – 90 %

It’s highly likely the merger will go ahead. = 70 – 90 %

We fully expect the merger to go ahead. = 70 – 90 %

 

Unit 7 Review

1 due diligence – full investigation of a company’s activities and finances

2 liabilities – the amount of money that company owes

3 merger – the process of combining two companies to form a bigger one

4 acquisition – something that someone buys

5 variable costs – costs that alter directly when the business alters its level of output

6 fixed costs – costs that do not alter when the business alter its level of output

7 assets – things such as money, buildings or equipment that a person or company owns

8 liquidity – measure of a company’s ability to quickly convert assets into cash

9 economies of scale – reductions in the cos of producing a unit of a product that occur as the output increases

10 turnover – total amount of money coming into a company from sales

 

costs of sales/ direct costs – variable costs

overheads/ indirect costs – fixed costs

cash-flow – liquidity

debts – liabilities

revenue/ income – turnover

 

1 considerable – a large

2 dramatic –sudden and surprising

3 moderate –neither big not small

4 sharp - sudden

5 significant – large or noticeable

6 slight – small in size

7 sudden – quick and unexpected

 

1 climb – become higher (literally to move up using your hands and feet)

2 dip – become less (literally: to put something into a liquid)

3 fluctuate – change frequently especially from a high level to a low

4 stabilize – stop changing and become steady

5 deteriorate – get worse (opposite: improve)

6 slide – get worse gradually (literally: to move smoothly and quickly across)

7 rise – increase (opposite: fall)

8 soar – increase quickly to a high level (literally: to fly in the sky)

9 jump – increase suddenly and by a large amount (literally: push your body off the ground using your legs)

10 peak – reach the highest point before becoming lower (the noun means ‘the top of a mountain’)

Open account - goods are shipped directly to the buyer with a request for payment

Advance payment - payment is expected by the exporter, in full, before goods are shipped

Bills for collection – a bill of exchange is sent from the exporter’s bank to the buyer’s bank. When the buyer agrees to pay on certain date, they sign the draft. The documents and goods are released to the buyer against this acceptance

Letters of credit(L/Cs) also known as documentary credits (DCs)- Documentary credit is a bank-to-bank commitment of payment: the buyer’s bank guarantees that payment will be made when the shipping documents are found to be in compliance with terms set by the buyer

Collocations:

Issue, settle, query,reach- an invoice

Provide, load, ship, assume – goods

Submit, vet, approve – an application

Make, meet, chase - a payment

Negotiate, make, sign, reach – a deal

State, meet, comply with, chase - conditions