BEC中级口语part3sampleanswer.doc

Part 3 sample answersTime ManagementYour company has found that ineffective time management is one of the major problem areas throughout the workforce. You have been asked to put forward some suggestions for improving the situation.Discuss and decide together:l Why poor time management can become a major problem in companiesl What procedures could be adopted to ensure that time is managed effectivelyA: Hi, you know, our company is sort of out of control these days. Dont you think so?B: Yeah. Everything seems to be in disorder here in our company. And that obviously has a lot to do with poor time management.A: You mean poor time management has caused all these problems. Why?B: When time is not well planned within a company, staff usually do not allocate blocks of time to specified tasks. They do not have a definite idea of when they should complete a certain task. AndA: And I think they often neglect the ordering of priorities. I mean certain tasks need our prior attention. But in our company every task is treated on an equal basis, even if it is a very urgent task.B: Thats the point. So time should be planned according to the importance of the tasks we need to deal with. A: You are absolutely correct. Besides, poor time management has caused much production downtime and revenue loss. Havent you noticed that?B: Well, no doubt. We also have a problem of low morale in the company. I think it might also have to do with time management. A: Thats just how I see it. So what do you think we can do so that time is managed effectively here in our company?B: You mean what procedures we can adopt?A: Sure. Thats what our boss is asking us to do. Right?B: Right. I think weve got a lot to do. First, we should make all the staff members realize how important effective time management is to our company.A: Yes, in other words, weve got to get across the message. Its still an awareness problem. I think we can give them instruction in time management, especially those in supervisory positions.B: Right, perhaps we can run a few training programs for them. If necessary, we may invite some experts from outside to help us.A: Another thing we can do is to make all the managers, or even every staff member, come up with a job description of their own. In this way, they can be pretty sure about what they are responsible for and what they are not.B: Yes, thats a fabulous idea. And I think, the top managers of our company should come up with a set of rules as to what kind of jobs should be given priority to. In this way, we can make sure that important tasks are dealt with first.A: Good idea. So to sum up, our company should run a few training programs, and every staff member should write a job description of their own.B: And rules should be made as to what kind of job should be given priority to.Responding to CompetitionYour company has recently begun to lose its share of the market due to competition from a new firm which charges customers less. You have been asked to suggest ways of solving the problem.Discuss and decide together:l How advertising could help the company to deal with competitionl What types of incentives the company could offer to customersA: You know our sales have fallen a lot during the past quarter.B: Yes, one of our competitors is charging a lot less than us.A: I know. It is a new company in this line of business. We really need to do something about it.B: What do you think we can do?A: I think we can launch an advertising campaign to promote our product.B: Yes, its good idea. But that will surely add to our cost and there push up our prices.A: I know what you mean. Price is a major consideration when a customer decides on a purchase. But there are certainly many other considerations on their part, for example, quality and after-sales service. Also advertising will boost our product image. You know some people only like to buy products theyve heard of. B: That makes sense. Ours is high quality product and our after-sales service is good enough, I think. Thats why we are charging a higher price than our competitors. So we should emphasize our quality and after-sales service in our ad so thatA: So that people will try our products out of curiosity and then get to know the high quality of our product and after-sales service and then more people will buy our products.B: But I am still worried about the price. You know customers always like low prices.A: Yes, indeed. In fact, we can cut down a bit on our price. You know when sales increase after our advertising, we are likely to increase our total profit even if we slash our price a little bit.B: Yes, a low price high volume strategy.A: Thats it. We may even consider some other incentives, such as a coupon to go with our newspaper ad, andB: And I think we can offer free delivery for our customers.A: Yes, but we cannot afford to offer free delivery for all our customers.B: Only those who are within the free delivery area, I think.A: OK, not a bad idea. New Computer SystemYour company is planning to buy an up-to-date computer system to replace the existing system. You have been put in charge of supervising the changes.Discuss and decide together:l What would be the best way to find out what new computer systems are availablel What practical and staffing considerations would be involved in replacing an existing systemA: Well, you know our company is considering buying an up-to-date computer system.B: Yeah, just to replace the system were using now. I think its a sensible decision.A: We need to find out what new computer systems are available first.B: Yes, so that we can choose one that is most suitable for our company. I figure we can find some information from the internet.A: Of course, but Im afraid not all the information on the web is reliable, really.B: I know what you mean, but we can also find some information from newspaper advertisements. I tend to think they are more trustworthy.A: Sure, I have the same feeling.B: But I think the best way is to visit some of the providers and have some face-to-face talks with them so that they can know our needs and we, in turn, can see for ourselves how their systems workA: And then make our own decision as to what best suits us.B: Right. Lets do that! And in replacing the existing system, I think there are a few factors we need to take into account. First of all, do we have to buy up-to-date models if we decide to use new systems?A: Well, I think well have to.B: In that case, what shall we do with these replaced computers?A: Mmm, well, as far as Im concerned, I think well just have to dispose of them at very low prices, cuz they are obsolete.B: Yeah, I dont think theres any other alternative, unfortunately.A: Another thing. I think well have to retrain our people. I bet not many of them are familiar with the state-of-the-art system.B: Thats for sure, so lets recommend it to the HR department. I think they can run some training programmes for the staff involved.A: Right, I couldnt agree more.Promotional VideoYour company has decided to make a promotional video which will be sent to all potential new clients. You have been asked to make suggestions about the contents of the video.Discuss and decide together:l Which members of staff should be involved in making the videol Which aspects of the companys activities should be included in the videoA: You know, we are going to make a video to promote our products.B: Yeah. And we are going to send them to out potential new clients. Really a good idea, isnt it?A: Sure. Which members of our staff should be involved in making the video, do you think?B: Well, I think there should be representatives from Marketing because primarily it is their job to promote the sales, isnt it?A: Yes, I take your point. And we should also involve R & D people. You know they certainly understand more than the others about our products.B: Thats how I feel. They know what characteristic features of our products we should present to our clients.A: Right. And we should assure our potential clients of the high quality of our products, so I would suggest we involve Quality Control also.B: Good idea. And also people on the after-sales side too. You know after-sales service is one of the primary concerns of our clients.A: Good. So we shall involve people from Marketing, R&D, QC and After-Sales.B: Right. Lets do that. Now what aspects of our activities do you think we should include in the video?A: Theres really a lot. First of all, I think we should let our clients know that ours is an established company in the line. So I think we can include the 50th anniversary of our company in the video, andB: And our research and development activities too.A: Yes, butB: But what? A: But we cannot go into too much detail in our presentation. You know its sort of business secret, isnt it?B: Just enough to convince them that ours is of very high quality.A: And naturally, we can include our Quality Control procedures and also after-sales services.B: And also we can demonstrate our product in the video. Dont you think so?A: A neat idea.Cutting Departmental CostsCosts involved in running your department have recently risen sharply. You have been asked to consider how these costs could be reduced.Discuss and decide together:l What reasons there might be for the sudden increasel How staff can be encouraged to help reduce costsA: You know our departmental costs have risen a lot recently.B: Yes, I think we are exceeding our budget. Literally, costs have gone through the roof.A: So what do you think are the reasons?B: I think there are many reasons for this. You know last month we ran a series of promotion campaigns. That meant a lot of money, didnt it?A: Yes, But I think we spent way too much on other sorts of things. I mean we could have spent less.B: Uh?A: you know we have been traveling a lot around the country. And most of us travel by air.B: You mean some of the travels are not necessary?A: Exactly. You know, some of the face-to-face talks may simply be replaced by email correspondence. B: Theres a lot in what youve said. I think we should make full use of our modern facilities and we can certainly forgo some expensive travels.A: Not only that, I think modern facilities, like computers, should be made full use of within the company, too. You can bet tons of money could have been saved if we had done that.B: What do you mean?A: You see, each month we spend a good deal of money on office supplies like printout paper.B: Yes, some of the managers always ask for printouts instead of retrieving information from the computer system.A: Especially those senior managers, who are usually older than others. They are simply not accustomed to the advanced computer system.B: And young people are also responsible for the increase in costs, too. You know many of them often keep their computers on for the whole night.A: And very often they forget to turn off lights when they leave their offices.B: So, something must be done before things become any worse.A: Right. I think we should offer some incentives to those who save costs in their jobs.B: Like what?A: Like a quarterly award for them.B: Neat idea. Maybe some small gifts like a shopping voucher will also work wonders. And personally I see an absolute need for a training course for our staff members.A: On computers?B: Yeah. So that they can make better use of them. And in this way, I believe well be able to bring down our costs effectively.Corporate ImageYour company is keen to improve its image by organizing events for the local community. You have been asked to be on the committee which will plan the program of activities.Discuss and decide together:l Which types of activities would be suitablel What benefits there would be for the company in providing a program of eventsA: You know we are going to run a series of activities for the local community.B: Yes, just to improve our corporate image. But what can we do for the community?A: I think we can do something for the needy people.B: You mean we can contribute to the local community charity?A: Exactly. And apart from that, I think we could sponsor a few programs of sports or entertainment.B: Like an orchestra or a singing performance or something?A: Yeah. And I think we should also do something for the primary pupils. Do you realize how important they are nowadays?B: Yeah. We may provide them with some school things.A: You mean school things they can buy anywhere or those that we have made to our special order?B: I think we can have them made to our order, with our name or logo on them.A: All these shall benefit us in many ways.B: Yes, thats just how I see it. Obviously, they help establish a favorable corporate image.A: Yeah, more people in the community will come to see us as a company willing to help them.B: Yeah, and well be able to get additional new customers. In this way our customer base shall be expanded and reinforced.A: Just like our revenue.B: Indeed.Customer InvolvementYour company has decided to try to increase customer involvement in the range and quality of its products. You have been asked to make some suggestions.Discuss and decide together:l How customer opinion of products can be obtained most effectivelyl What use a company should make of information provided by customersA: You know our management has decided to get our customers involved in our range and quality of products.B: Thats a very good idea. Customers opinions are really important to us if we want to stay ahead in the market. But how to get their opinions?A: Its certainly not easy. I think we can do that through the Internet. We can invite our customers to email us their opinions about our products whenever they have any. B: But not all the customers have access to the Internet.A: No, of course not. I bet we can take advantage of our helpline service.B: Yes. And we can also design a questionnaire for this purpose. And give it to our customers when they buy our products.A: Good. But then, how can we make use of their opinions when we have got them?B: We can pass them on to R&D and QC. I think its mostly their job to diversify our products and improve their quality.A: Yes, Im with you on that. I think R&D can take into consideration the feedback from the customers when they try to upgrade our products or develop new products.B: And QC can have a better idea as to how to ensure our quality or how to make it even better. Factory SiteA foreign client of your company wants to build a factory in your region. You have been asked to produce a report suggesting a number of alternative sites.Discuss and decide together:l Which places the foreign company could consider building the factory in and whyl What special information the company would need about work practices in your countryA: You know, ABC Company Ltd, one of our clients in the UK, is considering building a factory in Shanghai.B: Yes. I think its a wise decision. More and more multinational corporations are coming here to invest.A: They want to know where to build their factory. Have you got anything in mind?B: Well, I think they could build their factory in Pu Dong High-Tech and Development Area.A: Yeah, sounds like a great idea. Its a very nice place, with a very friendly investment environment.B: You said it. They provide first-rate service for foreign investors. And the traffic there is really convenient, better than most other parts of Shanghai.A: And there are quite a lot of preferential policies for foreign investors.B: But the fee for land use is a bit too high there.A: Yeah. Thats about the only thing some of the foreign investors complain about.B: I hear some of the development areas around Shanghai, like those in Kunshan and Suzhou, are also quite ideal and they charge a much lower fee for land use. Unbeatable bargains, so to speak.A: So ABC could also invest in those cities, I suppose?B: I think so. And what do you think the company need to know about work practices in the country?A: There are quite a number of things, I would think.B: Like what?A: I think they should get to know if there is any restriction on the employment of the local people.B: And especially the policies in relation to overtime and paid holidays.A: Thats right. Of course, health and safety procedures are not joking matter, either.B: Certainly. It is actually to the benefit of the enterprise to prevent injuries and accidents. Oh well, dont forget all about environmental regulations. A: Im not too concerned about that. I dont think they would allow a heavily polluting business in the development area nowadays. B: Thats true.Language AuditYour company intends to carry out a survey of the foreign language skills of all members of staff. You are responsible for organizing the survey.Discuss and decide together:l How to convince members of staff that this survey would be of benefit to theml In what ways the results of the survey could be of use to the companyA: You know we are going to make a survey of all our staff members in terms of their foreign language skills.B: Good idea. This will be beneficial to both the management and the staff members themselves.A: That makes sense. But how can we convince the staff members that the survey would be beneficial to them? B: I dont think its difficult. Just let them know that we are running a series of training classes for them. A survey of their skills in foreign language will help us pla