The functions of an executive

Dialog

Anna is having lunch with her sister Barbara. Anna has just accepted a position as an Administrative Assistant. Her boss is an executive with a firm that manufactures heavy machinery used in construction.

Barbara You've got a new job, Anna. My congratulations.

Anna Thanks, Barbara.

Barbara Tell me a few words about your boss. What does he do?

Anna Well, he is one of the vice presidents of the company, so he's rather important. He is an executive.

Barbara Do you know the difference between an executive, a manager and an administrator?

Anna I am afraid I can hardly tell you the difference. I think these words are interchangable and they really aren't different in many companies.

Barbara What about your company?

Anna In our company the lop officers are called administrators. The next highest group – the vice presidents, the heads of major departments and branch plant managers – are executives like my boss.

Barbara Is that all?

Anna The group below consists of managers, they are general managers and foremen.

Barbara So I see that an organization has a number of positions and some people have more authority than others.

Anna You are right.

Barbara But it would be interesting to know more about the functions of an executive like your boss.

Anna I'd say he makes a lot of important decisions. He sets objectives, coordinates work, delegates authority, makes hiring, firing, evaluating and just general leading.

Barbara It seems to be important.

Anna It is important. It's evident that making careful decisions is the basis of good management.

Barbara But do, you work under much pressure?

Anna Barbara, you know I am quite used to working under pressure from my last job. I am also accustomed to lots of paper work and red tape.

Barbara Good for you.

Anna And what's more important I feel that I can learn a lot because my boss is very competent. Good, I think we'd be in a hurry not to get late for the work.

Anna And what’s more important I feel that I can learn a lot because my boss is very competent.

Barbara Good, I think we’d be in a hurry not to get late for the work.

Ex.8. Transform the sentences according to the model.

Model: I'm accustomed to setting objectives. I'm used to setting objectives.

1. We are accustomed to having unlimited liability.

2. He is accustomed to delegating authority.

3. They are accustomed (o firing and hiring people.

4. She is accustomed to working as a head of the department.

5. You are accustomed to working under pressure.

6. The executive is accustomed to making decisions.

Ex. 9. Change the modal verb according to the model.

Model: We ought to set objectives this month. We should set objectives this month.

1. They ought to talk about the functions of an executive.

2. A manager ought to make careful decisions.

3. An executive ought to be very competent.

4. A vice president ought to decide on hiring, firing, vacation, hours.

5. The board of directors ought to plan objectives and changes.

6. They ought to have a meeting with a head of the department.

Ex. 10. Your executive is a very tough man. What should his staff do to please him?

For ideas:

to be creative – бути з творчим ставленням до діла

to be well-organized – бути добре організованим

to keep fit – тримати себе в формі

to be punctual – бути пунктуальним

to be enthusiastic- бути ентузіастом

to obey the rules – підкорятися правилам

Ex.11. Answer the questions.

1. What working position is the best for you?

2. Are you accustomed to working under pressure?

3. Are you accustomed to a red-tape job?

4. Do you want to be an executive or an administrator of the big company? What should you do for it?

5. What qualities do you need to be an executive of the company?

6. What does it mean to be a competent manager?

Ex. 12. Choose the necessary word and put it in the sentence.

1. We are going to interview three... for |

the position. | 1 to advertise

2. If you need applicants for this po­sition, |

... in a special section of the local |

newspaper. | 2 resume

3. Personnel office will help you to find a |

new ... | 3 employee

4. All the information about the staff of the |

firm can be found in... | 4 applicant

5. She has a good ... for the position: a |

college degree, good work experience. | 5 personnel office

6. I want to find a new secretary, so I'll call |

an employment ... | 6 qualification

7. If you are an applicant for the position, |

you have to write your ... | 7 agency

8. Don't ask him ... questions, it will be |

impolite. | 8 personal

Ex. 13. Translate into English.

1. Його посада в компанії дуже важлива.

2. Адміністратор встановлює цілі, бере на роботу, звільняє.

3. Вона не любить працювати під тиском.

4. Я звик до бюрократичної роботи.

5. Керівник має бути компетентним.

6. Керівник цієї групи – дуже талановитий спеціаліст.

7. Нам потрібно прийняти нового службовця.

8. Розташуйте об’яву в газеті.

9. Це керівник з великим досвідом.

10. Нам потрібно розглянути два види характеристик.

11. Кандидати на посаду повинні надіслати резюме.

12. Ви знайдете всю інформацію у відділі кадрів.

13. Зверніться до агенції з найму.

14. Роботодавець має звернутися до консультаційної фірми.

Ex. 14. Put the verbs in brackets into the proper present tense (Present Indefinite, Present Continuous or Present Perfect).

1. The vice president usually (to set) objectives for the staff.

2. Don't disturb me, please, I (to work) with annual report.

3. This firm often (to advertise) in different newspapers and magazines.

4. We advertised in the special section of the newspaper but we (not to receive) the resumes yet.

5. We (to evaluate) already the candidates through the interview.

6. We (to look for) a specialist suitable for the position at the present moment.

7. He (to sent) just his resume and the letter of interest.

8. They (to fire) the manager. He was not suitable for the position.

9. You have to wait a little. He (to consult) with the executive.