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Уч. пособие для уровня Pre-Int. ч.2.doc
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Isis Innovation

Isis Innovation is a company owned by the University of Oxford, and their job is to take the ideas that have developed in the university’s research laboratories and help the researchers turn them into commercial opportunities. The company does this either by negotiating licences or by helping researchers to start new companies. There’s one company which uses technology developed in the engineering department to make car bodies more quickly and therefore more economically. Another company makes houses for bees to help people who grow fruit as the bees help the trees to be more productive. Isis Innovation also started a company for archaeologists which trains them in the use of computer techniques and also sells them the software that they need.

II. Decide whether these statements are true or false.

  1. A new product may be developed when a company decides to give extended opportunities to its customers.

  2. It’s possible for a company to enter a market which is closed to it without any great ideas.

  3. If R&D is financed well, original ideas are born easier.

  4. The research of customer ideas and needs often gives an impulse to the upgrading of the existing products.

  5. Customers usually don’t buy new products if they are more expensive.

  6. A really good idea always leads to filling a gap in the market.

  7. The University of Oxford owns the company called Isis Innovation.

  8. Researchers are getting the company’s help in setting up new businesses.

  9. Technologies developed at Oxford are used in manufacturing high quality products.

  10. Isis Innovation produces cars and computer software.

III. Find the words in the text which correspond to the following definitions or

synonyms.

  1. use v. 2. raise and improve 3. prize 4. smth. that is not or can’t be used anymore 5. cause the existence of smth. 6. row, line or series of things 7. major achievement 8. surroundings, conditions 9. keep safe from some threat 10. make longer, enlarge

IV. Render the article in English.

CASE STUDY

Minerva A.G.

Background

Minerva A.G., based in Munich, Germany, is a chain store which sells a range of stylish, innovative products. Many of its products feature new technology, but the stores sell everything from furniture and fashionable clothes to kitchenware and household goods. It is well-known for its original designs and high quality. On the window of every store are the words Creativity, Imagination, Style, Novelty, Originality.

Customer Satisfaction Survey

Minerva A.G. sent questionnaires to all its customers. Here is an extract from the Marketing Department’s report.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Our customers say:

  1. Minerva A.G. has very few great new products for customers with busy lifestyle.

  2. The range of products is not as wide as it used to be.

  3. There are too many high-tech products. Customers want fewer products but more original ones.

  4. Most products are over 100 euros. Customers who are looking for gifts think they are too expensive.

  5. There are not enough special offers to encourage customers to spend more.

_________________________________________________________________

Need for new products

Chairperson Ulrika Nielsen and her directors have invited several foreign firms to present their new products to the Minerva A.G. board. All the companies are well-known for their innovation. The directors will choose the best and the most exciting products for Minerva A.G.’s stores.

Company A

Weight Monitor

Special features:

  • Measures how much body fat you have

  • An LCD display shows changes in your weight

  • Easy to read graphs and charts

  • Holds health and weight records for up to 5 years

  • Price: 45 euros

Company B