global trade - 15 united

global  trade - 15 united 



To understand this first united you will need to know this words:

• World trade organization
• Oversees
• Venue
• Agreements
• Trade barriers
• Quotas
• Controversial
• Contradict
• Trade Sanctions
• Free trade
• Boosts

SPEAKING

A: Aren't they having some sort of meeting in London right now? 

B: Yes, it's called a Ministerial Conference. 

A: I thought I saw something on the news about people protesting outside. 

B: Well, like I said in my blog ... the WTO is controversial. 

A: I don't see why. I mean, there needs to be some kind of organization to oversee international trade. 

B: Some people think governments should be able to regulate it instead. 

A: Yeah, but who's going to regulate the governments when they make trade deals? 

B: Well, other governments could put their own trade sanctions on a country that violated any agreements. 

A: It still seems like it's more practical to have one organization that govern's global trade.

WRITING 

There is a World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference taking place in London this week. These things are pretty controversial, there are those that say the WTO has too much power, for example a nation's laws mustn't violate the WTO's laws. Also the WTO can place trade sanctions on member countries if they violate a law. But without the WTO trade would only be regulated by trade deals made between countries, though it might be possible for other governments to put their own trade sanctions on a country that violated any agreements. And the WTO helps developing countries establish trade with industrialized nations, boosting the trade of all involved. It also ensures that global business between nations is equal and fair.

global Economy - 14 united

global Economy - 14 united



To understand this first united you will need to know this words:

• Economic output
• Countries
• Industrialized
• Debts
• global domestic product
• Market
• Interdependence
• Downturn
• Wall Street Trends

SPEAKING

A: Professor. I'm John Dexter, from 'Market News'. Do you have a minute? 

B: Oh yes, I can spare a few minutes to talk. 

A: Do you think that your lecture was well received? 

B: Yes, the audience seemed interested in what I had to say about the global economy. 

A: And does global commerce always benefit a country? 

B: Well, there are some downsides to globalization. But the good usually outweighs the bad. 

A: Can you give me an example of one of the downsides? 

B: Well, in some industrialized countries globalization has led to loss of employment. But I'd prefer you not to mention that in your article. 

A: That's OK. I have plenty of other material. 

WRITING 

How globalization affects the world economy: it leads to increased economic output in many places, which in turn leads to a higher standard of living. Why global trade benefits countries: global trade allows developing countries to trade with industrialized nations. This can help increase gross domestic product, reduce national debts and consumers may also benefit by getting goods at lower prices. Why global trade makes countries dependent on each other: once countries start buying and selling things between each other this means that the decisions of consumers in one country make on what to buy have an effect in the other country, even if it is very far away. 

Innovation - 13 united

Innovation - 13 united 




To understand this first united you will need to know this words:

• Innovation
• Creativy
• Optimistic
• Anonymous

SPEAKING

A: Hi Mike. How did the focus group for the new Shelbourne ad go?

B: It went well, Nancy.

A: Great!

B: But there were some things the participants didn't like about it.

A: Oh ... I thought it was really innovative. What didn't they like?

B: Well, the target audience for the product is adults over forty, right?

A: Yes, that's right. Most young people wouldn't be interested in that type of vehicle.

B: Ok, well, some of them thought the ad was too edgy ...

WRITING 

Dear John, Just to let you know about yesterday's focus group for the new Shelbourne ad. Although the participants like some parts of the ad and found it innovative, they were not so keen on the edgy nature of the advert. After all, as they pOinted out, the car is aimed at adults over forty. Most young people wouldn't be interested in a car like that, yet the focus group felt that the advert seemed to be designed to appeal to this group. I'm afraid we probably need to rethink this particular advertising campaign as this is not the first time we have had this response from a focus group to this ad. Grace 

Competition - 12 united

Competition - 12 united



To understand this first united you will need to know this words:

• Booming
• Minor player
• Competitors
• Threat
• Key player
• Adventage
• Edge
• Recommend
• Land
• Contract

SPEAKING

B: Come on, Alexandra. Out with it. What is it you wanted to talk to me about?

A: It's just some of us are concerned that the company isn't as strong as it used to be.

B: Does this have anything to do with losing the bid for the city contract?

A: Sort of. It just seems like since Axiom Associates got the contract, their business has been booming.

B: I can assure you, Alexandra, that Hewster-Copeland is doing just fine. We actually have the edge on Axiom Associates.

A: We do?

B: We've been in this business a long time. Hewster-

Copeland has a great reputation in the city.

A: That is true.

B: And our excellent relationship with our suppliers also gives us an advantage because they recommend us to their clients.

A: It's just been alarming to see the competition grow so quickly.

WRITING 

From: Danna Pineda 

To: All staff

Date: April 23

Subject: Axiom Associates

Since Axiom Associates won the bid for the city`s downtown revitalization contract they have been getting a los of publicity and their business is booming. Before this they were not a serious competitor to us, but now they are a key player in the industry. But we do not need to worry too much about them. We have a big adventage over them; our reputation is solid as we have spent years building customer loyalty through hard work and dedication . They beat us to one contract but this does not mean the end of howster copeland inc. In fact we are still the top grossing contracting and construction company in the city.

Business Strategy - 11 united

Business Strategy - 11 united



To understand this first united you will need to know this words:

• Esteemed
• Dominate
• Foothold
• Strategic goal
• Profitability
• Defend
• Industry leader
• Planning
• Resource allocation
• Stabilizing
• Formulate

SPEAKING

A: Hello. I just received your email about needing new strategic goals. 

B: Yes. This company was at the top of the industry, but we're no longer dominant. That needs to change. 

A: I agree completely. 

B: I'm glad to have your support Belen. I know the other board members value your opinion. 

A: The email says that you and the company vice- presidents have formulated a plan to achieve this? 

B: Yes, we've been working on it for a month now. 

A: I had no idea that you've been thinking about it that long. 

B: Well, I wanted to make sure the goals were feasible before presenting them to the board of directors. 

A: And you'll be presenting it to us tonight? 

B: Yes, I'll be making a formal proposal 

A: I assume it will have all the details of the new strategy and how to achieve our goals? 

B: That's right. 

WRITING 

Time and location: The meeting will take place in the boardroom on the night of May 1st, at 7 pm. 

Proposal: Note that the company has slipped and allowed competitors a foothold in the market. Emphasize the need to dominate the market again and the fact that the company has lots of experience in the market. Propose a new strategic goal that will increase profitability and defend the company's position as industry leader. 

Main goals: Stabilizing the company's assets and improving name recognition Note that appropriate resource allocation has been discussed with all the company vice presidents. 

Board members' vote: Next board meeting. 

Achieving Perfection - 10 united

Achieving Perfection - 10 united 



To understand this first united you will need to know this words:

• Benchmarketing
• Methods
• Managment strategy
• Quality managment
• Competitive
• Functional
• Best practice
• Six sigma
• Detractors

SPEAKING

B: Hi Pete. What were the results from the benchmarking study?

A: We got great results. In fact, we're better than our competition.

B: That's great news. But how can you be sure?

A: I compared production numbers. We're a smaller company so naturally produce smaller amounts overall.

B: I see. But why is that better?

A: Because we're way more efficient. We spend about a quarter of our budget on production. But the bigger competitors spend almost twice that.

B: I see. They produce more overall, but our methods save more money than theirs.

A: Exactly. In fact, the quality management standards on our production line could be applied elsewhere.

B: How so?

A: I noticed it while checking the internal benchmarks. As efficient as our production line is, our marketing department needs work.

B: So what are you suggesting?

A: We take the production best practices and apply them to the marketing department.

WRITING 

Anthea, We have recently completed our benchmarking study and the results are very encouraging. We are way more efficient than our larger competitors. We can see this because we only spend about 25% of our budget on production compared to almost 50% by our competitors. So even though they produce more overall, our methods save more money than theirs. The report also considered some internal benchmarks. Although our production line is very efficient the marketing department is not so good. The report suggests that we can improve the company further by taking the production best practices and applying them to the marketing department. Martin

Quality standars - 9 united

Quality standars - 9 united 



To understand this first united you will need to know this words:

• Polices
• Statutory requirements
• Statues
• Criteria
• Resources
• Certification
• Specifications

SPEAKING

A: Have you had a chance to read the guidelines yet? 

B: I have, but they're a bit confusing. 

A: Just try to focus on the areas that apply to our industry. It addresses plastics in section seven. 

B: Great, thank you.

A: Any other questions before we get going? 

B: Yeah, actually. I'm just working on the assembly line. But I'm responsible for monitoring statutory requirements? 

A: Actually, that's the manager's responsibility. Making sure we're in compliance with all regulations, have our permits ... 

B: But I have to know about it anyway? 

A: We find that it helps things run smoothly if everyone understands what we have to do and why. 

B: OK. One last question. How long does this 

certification last? 

A: It lasts for 5 years.

WRITING 

We take great pride in the quality of our work. All new employees must learn about the guidelines published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that apply to our field. You must learn about these things to ensure that our company remains In compliance with all the statutes regulating our industry and to maintain the highest quality standards. You need to focus on the areas that apply to our industry. Plastics are addressed in section seven. We are all responsible for every product that leaves our factory. Every employee must complete a course and will get certification when you complete the course.