UNIT 13 - Executive advice
In this unit you will learn how to give advice about office projects and talk about workplace needs and problems.
STARTING OUT
Listen to an experienced executive giving counseling about managing projects and complete the sentences. Then, organize the information according to the phase of the project each advice belongs to.
You have to … projects very carefully.
Be sure you have the … and resources for the project.
You should also plan your … carefully.
You … give too little or to much time to complete the project.
You have to make sure that project … are working together.
Everyone … know what other teams are doing.
If there are problems, you have to tell … on the project teams about the problems.
You should have … with all groups from different departments.
Meetings don’t … have to be in person, you can use email to keep everyone informed regularly.
You have to choose projects very carefully.
Be sure you have the skills and resources for the project.
You should also plan your schedule carefully.
You shouldn’t give too little or to much time to complete the project.
You have to make sure that project teams are working together.
Everyone should know what other teams are doing.
If there are problems, you have to tell everyone on the project teams about the problems.
You should have meetings with all groups from different departments.
Meetings don’t always have to be in person, you can use email to keep everyone informed regularly.
Now listen again and repeat. Then, record yourself giving the same advice and send the audio to you teacher and to your colleagues.
LET'S TALK
Listen to this conversation about the needs of an office project and check the words and expressions you know. The new ones will be BEHIND SCHEDULE and DEADLINES.
Now listen again and do yourself the part of the man who offers the solution as many times as necessary for a good performance. Then, record it and send the audio to your teacher.
LISTEN TO ME
Listen to these people talking about some problems at work. Then, choose the tab which brings only the problems that are mentioned.
CHOOSE ONE
He doesn’t believe a report.
He doesn’t have the software program.
Sam’s work is bad.
They don’t have enough meetings.
He took the wrong road.
He has too much work.
He doesn’t understand the software.
Sam looks stressed.
They have too many meetings.
He was late to work.
He forgot to talk to Jim.
He has a good experience with the software.
Sam is feeling sick.
They like to have three-hour meetings.
He always leaves home early.
LET'S READ
Teams
In the business world, teamwork, working together for a common goal, is very important. But very often, teams have problems. It is always important that teams understand the problems and have a clear target to focus on.
A good team leader should know how to listen to everyone’s opinions and not be afraid to make decisions. A good team leader should also help team members without trying to control them.
Individuality
However, some companies have an individual company culture where people work separately under a manger. In this type of culture you need to set up teams very skillfully, otherwise your team won’t succeed.
LISTEN AGAIN
Listen to the audio with fractions in the sentences and write the fractions you hear. Then, check your answers with your colleagues.
UP TO YOU
What skills should people have in your job?
What is your company culture like?
Do you usually work in teams or alone?
What are the advantages of each type of company culture?
How often do you have long business meetings?
What are the dos and don’ts of good management in your opinion?
SUMMARIZING
Advice
Behind
Company culture
Counseling
Deadline
Enough
Experience/experienced
Goal
Resource
Schedule
Skill
Succeed
Target
Team work
