My management style comes from the days when I took over my first business, an ailing road haulage firm which I was certain I could turn into a profitable company. The first thing is to treat others as you d like to be treated yourself. As soon as I took over the business, I talked to everybody individually, and looked for ways to make sure their particular skills benefited the company.
I didn't have much experience then of managing people, but above all I always tried to be fair and honest with everyone. As a result, I think the staff knew that and accepted my decisions, even if they didn't agree with them all. Also, bosses must be able to communicate. You also need to create team spirit, and build on the strength of the team. I explained my plans for the company to all the staff, and let them all know what I needed from them. The lorry drivers responded brilliantly, and were the key to turning the business round. They understood that we had to develop a professional reputation, and from then on the days of poor quality deliveries were over.
Lastly, I am a great believer in profit-sharing. It takes a team to make a company work, so profits should be shared by all. Job satisfaction is important, but it doesn't pay the rent. Shared profit and bonuses help to strengthen team spirit by giving everyone a common goal that they work towards together.
15 What fact does the writer hope to learn from applicants CVs?
A that they have experience of many different jobs
B that their careers have developed steadily
C the opinion their employers had of them
D whether they are married or single
16 The writer says the application form is useful because it
A reveals something of the applicant s character.
B gives information about the applicant s family.
C explains what skills the applicant has for the job.
D shows how much the applicant wants to earn.
17 According to the writer, why are CVs and application forms so important?
A Interviewing people is an expensive process.
B They indicate whether applicants really want the job.
C They indicate whether applicants are efficient or not.
D Employing the wrong people can be disastrous.
18 One reason why the writer was successful in her first business was that
A she was used to dealing with people.
B she was open with the staff.
C the business was already doing well when she started.
D the staff agreed with all her decisions.
19 The writer believes profit-sharing is a good idea because
A it encourages a competitive spirit.
B everyone earns the same salary.
C everyone shares the same aim.
D it creates job satisfaction.
20 Which would make the best title for this text?
A Profit-sharing as motivation
B How I turned a business round
C People - the key to business success
D The importance of a well-presented CV
PART FOUR
Questions 21 - 30
· Read the article below about a method of learning languages for business people.
· Choose the best word from the opposite page to fill each gap.
· For each question 21 - 30 mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet.
· There is an example at the beginning (0).
Language learning for the busy executive
If you've ever been told by your boss to improve your knowledge of a foreign language you'll know that ……(0)…… doesn't come quickly. It generally takes years to learn another language well and constant ……(21)…… to maintain the high standards required for frequent business use. Whether you study in a class, with audiocassettes, computers or on your ……(22)…… sooner or ……(23)…… every language course finishes and you must decide what to do next if you need a foreign language for your career.
Business Audio Magazines is a new product designed to help you continue language study in a way that fits easily into your busy schedule. Each audiocassette ……(24)…… of an hour-long programme packed with business news, features and interviews in the language of your choice. These cassettes won t teach you how to order meals or ask for directions. It is ……(25)…… that you can do that already. Instead, by giving you an opportunity to hear the language as it s really spoken, they help you to ……(26)…… your vocabulary and improve your ability to use real language relating to, for example, that all-important marketing trip.
The great advantage of using audio magazines is that they ……(27)…… you to perfect your language skills in ways that suit your lifestyle. For example, you can select a topic and listen in your car or hotel when away on business. No other business course is as ……(28)…… And the unique radio-magazine format is as instructive as it is entertaining. In addition to the audiocassette, this package includes a transcript with a business glossary and a study ……(29)…… The components are structured so that intermediate and advanced students may use them separately or together ……(30)…… on their ability.