Pre-Reading Activities

A: Discussion

Answer these questions in small groups or with a partner next to you..

1. When is the best time of day to hold a business meeting?

• Before 7 a.m.
• Between 7 - 9 a.m.
• Between 9 - 11 a.m.
• Between 11 - 1 p.m.
• Between 1 - 3 p.m.
• Between 3 - 5 p.m.
• Between 5 - 7 p.m.
• Between 7 - 9 p.m.
• Between 9 - 11 p.m.
• After 11 p.m.

2. Where do people usually hold business meetings or make business deals?

3. Where is the best place to hold a business meeting? Choose one or more of the places below and say why you wouldn't choose the others:

• in a restaurant
• in your office
• in the other person's office
• at an airport in a coffee bar
• at a conference center
• on a train
• in a park
• at a club or hotel swimming pool
• on a golf course
• in an airplane

B: Vocabulary

Today's article has some business words. Match the words with examples of those words.

Words	Examples
1. executive	A. electronic-mail (e-mail)
2. telecommuting	B. opinion _______; popularity _______
3. venue	C. Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 p.m.
4. poll	D. senior manager
5. work schedule	E. conference center

Correct answer 1 D 2 A 3 E 4 B 5 C

Reading Activities

A: Scanning

You are going to read an article which shows the opinions of European executives. Below is a list of topics.

1. Scan the article quickly to see which of them are discussed. Your teacher will set a time limit.

• the best time to make business deals
• shipping
• working from home
• work schedules
  Correct answer x the best time to make business deals x working from home x work schedules

2. What other topics are discussed in the article?  

Correct answer best venues for business meetings, outlook for business,

 

Poll Reveals Business Secrets Of Power Lunchers Friday March 19 ATLANTA (Reuters) - Most European executives like to make their deals over lunch but Italians prefer a power breakfast or dinner and Germans don't want to mix food and business at all. Those are some of the findings of the annual European Business Monitor Survey commissioned by Atlanta-based shipping company United Parcel Service, released Wednesday. It polled 1,508 executives, more than half of whom thought lunch was the best time to do business. Most Germans in the survey thought an airport or a conference center was the best venue. More than 61 percent of the executives predicted their companies would opt for more flexible work schedules over the next five years. Thirty-nine percent of French executives predicted their firms would go to four-day work weeks, and 53 percent of British executives thought telecommuting would become common. The survey found that corporate optimism had faded. Fifty-seven percent of the European executives forecast last year that business would improve, while this year only 44 percent believed there were better times ahead. The survey, conducted by Harris Research, had a margin of error of plus or minus five percent. Copyright 1999 Reuters Limited.

B: True, False or Not Mentioned?

Read these statements and write 'T' if the statement is true according to the article, 'F' if the statement is false according to the article and 'NM' if the article does not have that information.

1. Many business deals in Europe are made during meals.
2. Germans don't like eating while they are in a business meeting.
3. United Parcel Service conducted the annual European Business Monitor Survey.
4. At least 700 of the executives interviewed thought that lunch was the best time to do business.
5. Companies are introducing more flexible working hours for executives.
6. Over one third of French executives believe their companies will introduce 4 day weeks.
7. In 1999 more European executives than in 1998 are worried about the future.
8. French executives are more optimistic than German executives.
   Correct answer 1.T, 2.T, 3.F, 4.T, 5.F, 6.T, 7.T, 8. NM

C: Reading Intensively

First read the article again carefully, and then test your memory by answering as many of the questions below as you can:

(Don't look back at the article as you answer these questions!)

1. Who conducted the survey?
   Correct answer Harris Research
2. How many business executives were polled?
   Correct answer 1,508 executives
3. Which meal do most European executives think is best for making business deals?
   Correct answer lunch
4. Which meal or meals do Italians prefer for business deals?
   Correct answer power breakfast or dinner
5. Where do Germans prefer to meet?
   Correct answer an airport or a conference center
6. What kind of work schedule do many executives expect to have in the future?
   Correct answer flexible work schedule
7. What do British executives think will become common?
   Correct answer telecommuting
8. Who commissioned the survey?
   Correct answer United Parcel Service
9. What margin of error does the survey have?
   Correct answer plus or minus five percent

D: Language

Indirect speech or reported speech is used to report what someone else said previously. The reported sentence is often written in the past tense, even if the sentence includes a future prediction. 

Examples: Direct speech: "There will be a 200% increase in sales by 2005," said the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Indirect speech: The CEO predicted that there would be a 200% increase in sales by 2005.

Change the following sentences to direct speech or indirect speech. Use the following verbs in the indirect sentences: predicted, believed, forecasted, thought

 

1. Direct Speech: "Our company will probably change to a more flexible work schedule soon," said the Spanish executive.

1a. Indirect Speech:

Correct answer The Spanish executive predicted his/her company would probably change to a more flexible work schedule soon.

 

2. Direct Speech:

Correct answer "Power dinners will replace business lunches in the next ten years," stated the Italian business woman.

2a. Indirect Speech: The Italian business woman predicted power dinners would replace business lunches in Europe in ten years time.

 

3. Direct Speech: The French business analyst stated, "I believe companies will go to 4-day work weeks." 

3a. Indirect Speech:

Correct answer The French business analyst forecasted that companies would go to 4-day work weeks. 

 

4. Direct Speech:

Correct answer "Telecommunication will be the most common means of business \communication by 2005," said the English CEO. 

4a. Indirect Speech: The English CEO forecasted that telecommunication would be the most common means of business communication by 2005.

 

5. Direct Speech: "Believe me, there are better times ahead," stated the German Senior Manager.

5a. Indirect Speech:

Correct answer The German senior manager thought there were better times ahead. 

 

6. Direct Speech:

Correct answer "There will be an increase in job opportunities in Japan by 2001," predicted the Japanese economic analyst.

6a. Indirect Speech: The Japanese economic analyst forecasted that there would be an increase in job opportunities in Japan by 2001.