(Lean, (corporate) raiders, empower, downsizing, a predator, outplacement, the prey)

Ex.4. Do the following quiz about project teams. Discuss and compare your answers.

What makes a good project team?

1. A good project manager ...

a) is always friendly and easy-going.

b) must be the most senior person in the team.

c) spends time developing a team spirit.

2. For decisions to be reached in a project team, ...

a) there needs to be total consensus.

b) majority rule is an efficient and fair system.

c) what the project manager says goes.

3. In terms of timing, a successful project ...

a) will always stick to schedule.

b) may run over schedule if the need arises.

c) always takes muchh longer than expected.

4. The biggest problems for the a project team are...

a) competing goals between team members.

b) unclear team roles and overlapping duties.

c) lack of clearly defined objectives for the project.

UNIT 9.

Text 1. Be ready for a comprehension check-up.

Being a Manager in Russia ( I )

Intercultural adaptability is essential when working in Russia and you need to understand the importance of an open and honest approach. It is important to establish your credentials and authority quickly since Russians respect both status and technical expertise. Although they value firmness and dignity, it is advisable to appear approachable and friendly as well.

Management in countries of the former Soviet Union is a complex, constantly evolving state-of-affairs, each country moving towards a market economy (with its accompanying protocols) at a different pace.

Role of a Manager. Cross cultural communication will be more successful if you recognize that although Russians may initially appear stiff and reserved, they often warm up when socializing. Relationships are often developed in after-hours socializing. Most Russians do not trust people who are "all business". Meals and entertainment provide a venue to get to know you as a person. An indication that you have successfully developed a personal relationship is being asked for a favor by that person.

Although courtesy is important in all business relationships, this is especially true in Russia. Businesspeople have long memories for behavior they deem insensitive. Small slights that might be overlooked elsewhere are remembered here.

Approach to Change. Russia has a low tolerance for change and risk. Intercultural sensitivity is important as while in risk tolerant environments, failure is perceived as a learning process that encourages confidence in future ventures, failure in Russia causes a long-term loss of confidence by the individual as well as by others.

Approach to Time and Priorities. Russia is a moderate time culture and traditionally schedules and deadlines are viewed as flexible. However, the expectations of intercultural and global expansion have caused the Russians to adopt relatively strict standards of adhering to schedules.

When working with people from Russia, it’s advisable to reinforce the importance of the agreed-upon deadlines and how that may affect the rest of the organization. Successful cross cultural management will depend on the individual’s ability to meet deadlines.

Ex.1. Complete these sentences using a suitable idiom from the box in the correct form.

get back on track get someone’s input on something

go over keep track of kick around kick off run out of stick to the point

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1. I’m afraid I … handouts. If you give me your e-mail, I’ll send you a copy.

2. The round-table discussion at the conference went off topic for a while, but then everyone … .

3. I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening. Do you mind … the main points again?

4. Our boss never … in meetings. She’s always going off on a tangent and telling us her views on the world.

5. I know we like it, but could we … our customers’ … on the new slogan?

6. As you can see from the agenda, we’ve got a lot to get through today. I suggest Rachel … with the first item

7. First of all, I’d like you to brainstorm and … some ideas on intercultural communication, and then we’ll look at what the experts say.

8. When our British and American colleagues attend meetings, it’s hard to … what they’re saying. They use so many colloquial expressions.

Ex.2. Choose the correct word or expression.

1. I bought a TV which doesn't work. I'll take it back to the shop to get ...

a. my money returned b. a refund c. a repayment

2. In a shop, to get a refund, you usually have to show the ... .

a. receipt b. recipe c. payment ticket.

3. I'm paying for my new car in 36 monthly ... .

a. instalments b. pieces c.parts

4. I earn a lot of money, but I have a lot of ... .

a.payouts b. expences c. payments

5. In an auction, the item is sold to the person who makes the highest ... .

a. bid b. price c. offer

6. You can ... a house and ... a car ... .

a. hire/rent b. hire/hire c. rent/hire

7. The best things in life are ... .

a. free b. not for sale c. not bought and sold

Ex. 3. Put the words below into the spaces in the sentences.

1. We are expecting two ... of computer printers from China.

2. Another word for a consignment is a ..., even if it doesn't travel on a ship.

3. The consignment ... ten days ago. I'm surprised you haven't received it yet.

4. A detailed list of a ship's cargo is called a ... .

5. Another word for ship is ... .

6.In many cases, when goods are imported, an ... has to be paid.

7. Another word for import duties is ... .

8. A document proving that you own a consignment of goods is called a ... to the goods.

9. After payment, the bank will ... the title to the goods.

10. The bank took a long time to ... payment to my account.

11. If we don't deliver on time, we'll have to pay a late-delivery ... .

12. We would like to ... payment until delivery of the shipment.

13. We usually ask our customers for ... .

14. If there's a problem with the letter of credit, I suggest you contact the ... .

15. The quickest way to send money to another country is to ... it, for example, by Western Union.

16. Thank you for sending the ... by Western Union. I collected it this morning.

17. An effective way to ship consignment is to use a ... such as UPs, DHL or FedEx.

18. The exporter's bank has ... the bill of exchange to the importer's bank.