virtual training course

C Use the examples in “A” and “B” to talk about writing emails in English. • What are the most important components of an email? • Discuss different ways of beginning and ending emails. Are they formal or informal? • What do you know about the difference between British and American email-writing conventions?

D Write an email asking for more information about a professional training course. • Write to Sarah Johnson, the course coordinator. Start your email with a proper greeting. • Say which course you are interested in. • Find out about the following: costs, maximum number of participants, registration, venue and times, and payment methods. • End your email with a proper closing.

E Swap with a partner and give each other constructive feedback.

4 The need for training

A Match the definitions on the right to the words on the left.

g

1. to ensure

2. retention

3. to leverage 4. benefits package 5. enticement

6. to shift

7. layoff

8. to surpass a. to change b. the ability to keep good employees c. to exceed, to be better than

d. to use to get a result

e. ending the employment of a worker f. incentives (non-salary) g. to make sure h. to attract someone by offering something pleasant

B Read this text about the need for training. Does this apply to your company, too?

The need for training

Many companies have tried over the past few years to maintain their businesses with a reduced workforce. Having fewer employees increases the pressure to ensure that workers are capable of dealing with increased workload or with fewer resources. The need for employee development programmes is therefore just as important.

Technological advancements and employee retention influence the way that companies leverage learning. A strong economy with low unemployment rates means qualified employees can take their pick of the best companies with the most appealing benefits packages and salary rates. A variety of enticements, including training opportunities on company time, are necessary to attract good people. In a weaker economy the basis for the need for training shifts. In an attempt to survive layoffs, employees are concerned not only with keeping themselves up-to-date and employable, but also about staying employed.

C

D

E

F

G

Listen to a meeting about a training budget and answer the questions below. 1. What does Alan, the HR manager, say about the training budget? 2. How do Annette and Julie, the training managers, feel about the news? 3

Here are a few sentences from the dialogue. Complete them with the words below.

run sign benchmarks | surpassed suffers | belts revenue

1. I’m afraid we’re going to be tightening our for a while.

2. Sales are down and there’s no of

improvement. 3. In the long it saves. , it’s going to cost more than

4. We won’t be able to generate any at all.

5. When times are tough, it’s training that 6. We our objectives and now we’re being punished for it. 7. How about the board other departments’ performance against ours for a change?

Here are some useful phrases for meetings. Write them in the correct category. I feel that … | Let me put it another way. | Why don’t we … | What exactly do you mean? | I couldn’t agree more. | Surely … | Excuse me for interrupting, but … | I see it differently.

1. Getting attention: 2. Giving an opinion: 3. Making a suggestion: 4. Expressing agreement: 5. Expressing disagreement: 6. Clarifying a statement or opinion: 7. Asking for clarification:

8. Expressing certainty:

Come up with at least two additional phrases for each of the situations from “E”.

In groups, simulate a meeting following the guidelines below.

Come up with a training program for your company or department.

Consider the company’s needs as well as the employees’ skills and areas of interest.

Do some research on the Internet and make a list of courses that would be suitable.

When you are finished, present your ideas to the class and compare.

3 Working Conditions

1

A

What are some important factors affecting job satisfaction?

Working nine to five

Describe a typical day at your work. Compare with the other students in class.

B

In pairs, write the words and phrases next to the definitions. staff fluctuation | common business practice | absenteeism | premises | empowerment | to be glued to your desk | in the driving seat | the name of the game | to take things a step further

1. a company’s buildings and grounds 2. not present at work 3. an accepted way, method or procedure 4. to be in control of the situation

5. letting the employees make their own decisions 6. employees joining and leaving a company 7. the fundamental meaning or reason 8. to be busy with work 9. to move to a more advanced stage in a process

premises

C Read the text and answer the questions below.

Is your company getting it right?

Do you spend hours glued to your desk? Are your eyes permanently fixed to your computer? Is the only real exercise you get the walk to and from the photocopier or coffee machine? Does your day begin and end in darkness?

After decades of these things being common business practices, staff dissatisfaction, absenteeism, staff fluctuation, poorly produced products and bad service are the results.

A lot of companies are finally getting the message and are looking for ways to change this. Some companies actively try to encourage their employees to leave the office at a reasonable time. Their methods range from getting security to escort staff off the premises to throwing the company into darkness at 8:00 p.m.

Others have taken things a step further. “Empowerment” is the name of the game at AveX PLC. At this company, the staff are truly in the driving seat. “We believe you can have both a private life and a career. We let our staff decide when, where and how they want to work. We don’t believe in operating rigid working conditions”, explains Hilton Goring, the personnel officer. And does it work? “Since introducing the scheme two years ago, we have managed to increase output by 20 per cent” he says.

• According to the text, what exactly does “empowerment” mean? • How do you feel about the idea of empowerment?

2 Ideal working conditions

A What are good working conditions? Give examples and discuss.

Here are some ideas to help you get started: • Working hours • Protective clothing • Stress level • Workload • Noise level • Equal rights • Equipment • Lighting and heating • Cleanliness

B Describe the working conditions in your company. Make notes first. BE in the driving seat

AE in the driver’s seat

C In small groups, think of ways to improve the working conditions in your company.

Follow the three steps below:

1. Your company is looking into ways to improve working conditions and has appointed a committee. In groups decide on three suggestions that you wish to present to the committee. Use the space below to make notes. Select a spokesperson to present your ideas.

a.

b.

c.

2.

3. Each spokesperson has the chance to present the groups’ suggestions. Listen to the other groups’ presentations. Feel free to ask questions. Now that you have listened to the suggestions, decide on the best ones. Why would or wouldn’t your company introduce them?

D Read the text about feng shui and discuss the questions below.

Office Feng Shui

Feng shui (pronounced “fung shway”) literally means wind and water. Feng shui originated in ancient China and is still used by most businesses in the Far East, but not only there. In the West, many successful companies have also discovered the ancient art of feng shui. By applying feng shui principles, they try to increase productivity, attract new customers or improve the working conditions of their employees.

Feng shui creates and maintains harmony in your working environment. This reduces stress and other negative influences and thus allows employees to work to their full potential.

Here are some general guidelines on how to create the perfect working environment: • When you sit at your desk, make sure your back is not facing the door. • Ensure that offices and desks are not cluttered or disorganized. • Place a fountain or an aquarium in your office to invite success into your life. • If possible, have a chair opposite your desk. This encourages new business. • Use (healthy) plants to reduce stress and attract positive energy. • Placing a dragon or a turtle in the eastern sector of your office brings good luck. • Aromas such as lavender create a relaxing and calm environment.

Should feng shui or other such practices play a role in the business world? Do such practices exist in your company? If not, could you imagine your company adopting them? Why or why not?

3

A

B

C

Comparing working conditions

Listen to the conversation and mark the sentences true or false. 7

1. Mark has been offered a better job at the headquarters of his company. 2. The job is a temporary one. It would last two years. 3. The company’s name is RDLA. 4. Mark’s new company is located in Cologne. 5. Mark would have a performance-linked salary.

6. Mark would not get a company car. 7. His colleague Aaron has also been offered a job at RDLA.

Listen again. Then match the definitions on the right to the words on the left. 7

g

1. entitled a. the amount of money that you earn after taxes, etc. 2. subsidiary b. the amount of money that you earn 3. bonus c. to get a better position in a company 4. promotion d. a company that is owned by another company 5. position e. extra things (e.g. a company car) that an employee receives 6. take-home pay f. someone who has the same job as you, but in a different place 7. counterpart g. to have the right to do something 8. perks h. a job in a company 9. earnings i. extra money that is given to an employee

Read these extracts from the conversation and circle the correct word.

1. I would have ten staff / stuff in my group. 2. I thought it was company policy / police to post employees for a maximum of two years at a time. 3. I have a meeting with him and someone from the

Personal / Personnel Department tomorrow. 4. Well, obviously I would get a substantial rise / rice in my earnings. 5. And are you going to except / accept? BE pay rise flexitime AE pay raise flextime

D

Make questions and discuss.

How many … Is there … Do you often … How long … Do you … … a flexitime system in your company or organization? work overtime? get paid for overtime? hours a week do you work on average? a canteen or cafeteria where you can have lunch? is your lunch break on average? vacation days do you get per year? …

E

F

Listen to the conversation and mark the sentences true or false.

1. In Germany, Mark’s working week will be shorter. 2. There is no flexitime system in the Cologne company. 3. Mark will be expected to do unpaid overtime. 4. There is no performance-linked bonus. 5. The canteen food is cheaper in Germany. 6. Mark will get more holidays per year. 7. He will receive more training per year. 8

Compare the working conditions between countries or groups of employees. You can use these pictures for inspiration.

BE working week canteen

AE work week cafeteria

G

Listen to an interview and answer the questions.

9

Michelle Martin set up her own company ten years ago. She is now the owner and CEO of a leading public relations agency in London. 1. Why did Michelle decide to quit her job? 2. What does she say about her former company? 3. How does she feel about working conditions for women? 4. According to Michelle, how can working conditions improve? 5. Do you share Michelle’s opinions? Why or why not?

H

Discuss the statements below. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons.

Good working conditions don’t necessarily guarantee a satisfied workforce and high productivity. Working conditions are the responsibility of the employers. The government and unions should not get involved.

4 Rules and regulations

A Which of the sentences below express obligation? Tick the boxes.

1. Construction workers must wear protective clothing. 2. All employees have to clock in and out. 3. Laboratory workers should wear disposable gloves. 4. You must store chemicals in an appropriate container.

5. All employees have to wear a company name badge. 6. Student workers can work up to 40 hours a week.

B Complete the text with must, have to, can or should. Then compare.

Working in Germany

Germany is more than schnitzel, beer and sauerkraut – especially if you’re planning to live and work there. Here are seven things you need to know before packing your bags: 4. On most forms of public transport you 7. You

1. You carry an ID at all times. BE driving licence

AE

2. All residents be registered with the local authority.

3. Non-EU nationals

have a residence permit. buy a ticket on the bus or tram.

5. UK nationals

6. UK nationals

driver’s license

have a work permit. have a German driving licence. familiarize yourself with the local traffic regulations and road signs.

C In groups, write down some important rules and regulations in your company.

D Present your results to the class and compare with the other groups.