Text 1 Walt Disney Company

When you hear the name Disney, what comes to mind? For most people, the famous company means creative entertainment – in theme parks such as Disneyland, cartoons with well-known characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, movies, and television shows. Behind the fantasy world is Walt Disney Company, a winner in the financial arena. From 1985 to 1990, the company’s revenues almost tripled, profits more than quadrupled, and the stock price rose from $ 15 to a high of $ 136. CEO (chief executive officer) Michael Eisner, who took over in 1984 and started a strong expansion program, is credited with much of this success.

Even the best ideas need money to make them happen. One of Disney’s key achievements has been its ability to combine Hollywood creativity with solid financial management. Financial planning is critical for a company whose projects may cost billions of dollars. Every Disney’s effort takes place within a well-defined financial system. A six-person group headed by the chief financial officer thoroughly analyses each new project, from first costs to expected revenues and operating expenses. If the potential return justifies the risk, the project is presented to Eisner and the chief operating officer, who gives final approval. This streamlined process lets Disney move more quickly than its competitors.

Cost control is another element of Disney’s success, especially in its movie companies. Keeping an eye on production budgets has kept movie costs about 20 percent below those of competitors. As a result, Disney’s return on investment is one of the best in the movie business. .

Disney’s financial team has limited the use of debt to finance the company’s growth. It retains most profits, paying out only a small percentage in dividends. If new opportunities arise, Disney will have plenty of cash reserves and the ability to borrow more. And it’s not a fairy tale, it’s the result of Disney’s solid financial management practices.

6. Ответьте на вопросы:

1) What does Walt Disney Company mean for most people?

2) Who is credited with much of the company’s success?

3) How much are the company’s projects?

4) Who analyses each new project?

5) What lets Walt Disney Company move more quickly than its competitors?

6) What is another element of Disney’s success?

7) What has Disney’s financial team done to finance the company’s growth?

7. Согласитесь или не согласитесь со следующими утверждениями:

1) Walt Disney Company is a success in the world of business.

2) From 1995 to 2000, the company’s stock price tripled.

3) Every company’s effort takes place within a well-defined financial system.

4) Top managers give the final approve of each new project.

5) Disney’s return on investment is the best in the movie business.

6) The company has Disneyland projects in European countries.

7) The history of the company is, of course, a bit of a fairy tale.

8. Расскажите на английском языке о финансовых успехах Walt Disney Company.

Part 2

1. Прочтите и запомните значение следующих слов и выражений:

worldwide a	мировой; распространенный в мире
vehicle n	транспортное средство
manufacture v	производить, изготовлять
truck n	грузовой автомобиль, грузовик
substantial a	существенный, важный, значительный
supply v	снабжать; поставлять
automotive a	автомобильный; самодвижущийся
subsidiary n	дочерняя компания
insurance n	страхование
customer n	заказчик, покупатель; клиент
network n	сеть
broadcast n	(радио и теле) вещание; передача
medium a, n	средний; средство, способ
value n, v	ценность; цена; оценивать; ценить
priority n	приоритет; порядок срочности
compete v	конкурировать; соревноваться

2. Переведите следующие слова, обращая внимание на суффиксы, характерные для разных частей речи:

manufacturer, electric, dealer, basis, product, largest, innovation, integrity.

3. Подберите слова близкие по значению:

1) worldwide a	a) important a
2) motor vehicle	b) goods n, pl
3) manufacturer n	c) client n
4) products n, pl	d) car n
5) customer n	e) throughout the world
6) substantial a	f) trader n
7) dealer n	g) move fast
8) run v	h) producer n

4. Соотнесите английские фразы из левой колонки с их русскими эквивалентами в правой:

1) a broad range of services	a) главные ценности
2) satellite manufacturing	b) чистая сумма продаж
3) diesel-electric	c) постоянное улучшение
4) heavy-duty vehicle	d) расширять сферы бизнеса
5) net sales	e) большое разнообразие услуг
6) continuous improvement	f) электро-дизельный
7) on a global basis	g) серийный производитель
8) core values	h) прямое вещание
9) to grow business sectors	i) в масштабах мира
10) full-line manufacturer	j) сверхмощный грузовик
11) direct-to-home broadcast	k) производство искусственных спутников

5. Прочтите текст и постарайтесь понять его содержание: