Unit 2

Working on the text *^^

Read and translate the text paying special attention to the Passive Voice.

A board meeting was scheduled for 10 o'clock on Thursday morning. At 5 to ten the boardroom started to fill. Right on cue the chairman strode into the room.

Chairman: "Good morning ladies and gentlemen. It's time to get started. I hope the agenda has been circulated. Our first item on the agenda is the results of our negotiation concerning the purchase of the patent. I am giving the floor to our marketing director".

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Moi Mini', everyone", David started. "From our source in the government we I. .11 hi fibonl llu- invention that had been filed for a patent and the scientist was ijIhmiI iii i revive it. The time was pressing and we wanted to be the first to make an offri to Mr. Brunoff and had not thought about oilier possible solutions. We ■ ilirird In in two million dollars for his patent but were prepared to pay five. In our preliminary talks on the phone Mr. Brunoff didn't say either yes or no, but definitely showed his interest. We agreed to meet personally and I flew to Nevada on Tuesday night. We had a meeting yesterday. We got along quite well, but there were problems... Somebody had got in before us and it had been all wrapped up by i lie time I got there".

"Is it a question of price?" the chairman intervened.

"I'm afraid, to a certain extent, it is. As I understood he had been suggested setting up a joint venture and he agreed, because in the long run his profits would make much more than 5 million dollars, especially if he continued streamlining his invention".

"Thank you, David. Are you taking the minutes, Miss Smith? We have to write down our decision."

"I wonder, how could there be a leak of information?" asked the Financial director. "People usually keep mum before getting a patent. Perhaps the same source has sold the information twice?"

"Or there could be a leak in our company," the production manager interrupted. Slowly those present exchanged glances.

Chairman: "It's out. of the question. Only two people knew about it - my son and I. What about your personal assistant, David? She is a newcomer." His father was looking at him straight in the eye.

"I didn't discuss it with her, I didn't actually have time for it. She doesn't know anything, and besides she is a stranger here, she comes from England. Didn't I tell you about it? David said defiantly. Mr. Robinson didn't reply and addressed the board again:

Chairman: "Well, we'll have to make a decision what to do in the circumstances. Your contributions are welcome."

"I agree we can't afford to miss the opportunity," the head of R&D department joined the discussion. "To my mind our first step should be to send our people to Nevada to investigate the deal and to learn everything possible about the company that turned out to be quicker than us. Who is the head of the company and who is backing them, their strengths and weaknesses, everything. I think we must give instructions to our security department, and after we have learnt everything we'll work out a strategy."

Chairman: "Any other suggestions?"

The boardroom was buzzing like a summer forest.

Chairman: 'What is your opinion, James?" Mr. Robinson addressed the head of the IT department.

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LESSON 12. MEETINGS

James: "That is exactly what I think. I'm all in favour of that".

Chairman: "Then I put this to the vote. Raise your hands those who are for it... Against... Abstained... Is that unanimous? Good.

Now we can move to the second item on our agenda. I'm giving the floor to the head of our PR department, Mrs. Garrison".

Mrs. Garrison: "Ladies and gentlemen! I'll begin with the general outline of the coming event. As you remember this is a jubilee year of the White Rose Ball, which has been held for 150 years already. It has always been attended by the best people of our society. Our decision was to sponsor this event. Our department together with marketing department has done a lot of work. The event has been widely advertised for half a year and we hope it will have a good coverage in the press. We have already invited journalists from major newspapers and magazines. The highlight of the program is our charity auction. All the collected funds will go to oncologic hospitals for children and on research in this field. We are going to make a donation of a sculpture by Tseretelly, a famous Russian sculptor. I can show you catalogues with a complete list of items for the auction. There are several jewelry lots that will be demonstrated by our guests. I believe the event will be a success and I want to encourage you to participate in the auction, bearing in mind that charity activity can make you tax exempt".

Chairman: "Thank you, Barbara. We'll take it into consideration".

Exercise 1.

Find English equivalents in the text.

Заседание совета директоров; назначать; радио сигнал; повестка дня; первый вопрос; предоставить слово; время поджимало; возможное решение; предварительные переговоры; поладить с кем-то; в некоторой степени; учре­дить совместное предприятие; вести протокол; утечка информации; хранить молчание; при сложившихся обстоятельствах; упустить возможность; провес­ти расследование; дать распоряжение; определить стратегию; предстоящее ме­роприятие; получить хорошее освещение в прессе; пожертвование; иметь ус­пех; благотворительная деятельность.

Speaking I jrfP'*

Exercise 2.

Answer the questions.

1. How many items were there on the agenda?

2. Who was to speak the first?

3. What was the problem that David encountered?

4. What question did Financial director raise?

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Английский для бизнесменов

LESSON 12. MEETINGS

5. What was the assumption of the Production manager?

6. Did David defend Diana? Why?

7. What did the head of R&D department, suggest?

8. What was the second point on the agenda about?

9. What kind of event is White Rose Ball?

10. What was the highlight of the program?

11.Why did the speaker encourage board members to participate in the auction?

Exercise 3.

1. Retell the text, covering the problem and the measures, concerning the purchase of the patent.

2. Tell about the tradition of holding the White Rose Ball.

Unit3 Listening gM.

Listen to the speaker and answer the following questions:

1. How did the idea of the Millionaire Fair emerge?

2. What is the motherland of the Millionaire Fair?

3. What kind of goods are there on display?

4. What opportunity could this Fair provide?

5. What is the reaction of the board of directors?

Exercise 1.

Match the function and the expressions.