Listening

Exercise 1

You are going to hear a talk between Mr. Scott and the managers in Hector Grant’s office. Before you listen to the conversation look at these statements. After you have listened to the tape determine whether these statements are true (T) or false (F). Explain why.

1.	Hector Grant invited Peter Wiles, John Martin and Ian Hampden to his office to discuss productivity and ways to improve it. T
2.	Mr. Scott, from Smith-Weston Consultants thought that Harper & Grant Ltd. ought to have Q. & M. and work study review and came along to tell them what his firm could do if they decided to have a productivity study made in the company. F
3.	Hector Grant was sure he didn't need to tell his subordinates what improved productivity involved because they were often employed as outside consultants by other firms. F
4.	Improved productivity means analysing jobs throughout a firm with a view to reorganising them in order to decrease time and expenditure and increase efficiency and production. T
5.	Smith-Weston Consultants proposed starting work study in the factory in conjunction with a scheme under which the employees could share some of the benefits of improvement.T
6.	Peter thought that some operators might go as slow as they can so that the investigators would allow them more time for the job, which could interfere with the investigation. T
7.	The investigators do not intend to do a sample study in a selected area of the works, because it would not demonstrate how they thought productivity could be increased as a result of their proposed activities. F
8.	Hector Grant doubts that workers dislike investigators telling them they aren't doing the job in the most efficient way. T
9.	If operators know they will be paid more as a result of increased productivity they will want to co-operate. T
10.	Mr. Scott suggested putting everyone on group rates as a spur to productivity.T

Exercise 2

Listen to the following extract from the recording which shows how the situation progressed. Try to complete the gaps, using no more than three words in each case.

John:

Well, I'm amazed!

I really am.

What on earth has happened to the old man?

You'd have thought he would be the last person to consider a thing like work study or group bonus schemes.

I gather there was a major battle years ago to get him to agree to piece rates even in the few areas where they operate now.

Peter:

Yes, he's suddenly decided to change with the times.

I think our new advertising manager may have had a hand in it!

Joanna is always talking about things like corporate planning, operational research, critical path analysis and so on.

John:

That's just what this firm needs.

Peter:

Yes, but you know, the story's not finished yet.

I don't think H.G. has quite realised the full implication of all this.

John:

What do you mean?

Peter:

You wait and see.

Some of these consultants never know where to stop...

Exercise 3

Listen to the following conversation between John and Sally. All the remarks are mixed up. Put them in the order they appear in the Unit. Supply the remarks with the name of their authors. Use the grid below.

A …	Oh, what's that?
B …	Management! Surely that's not necessary?
C …	Well?
D …	So, Mr. Scott, this seems very satisfactory. I'm very interested in this sample survey. I think we should like you to go ahead and do the full review.
E …	In our experience it’s as vital as it is in any other department. Perhaps more vital. Just as a matter of interest, would you mind if I gave you the results of some research I did myself, while waiting for you this morning.
F …	Er … there is one other point we’ve not yet mentioned.
G…	We haven’t yet done anything on the management side.
1.		2.	3.	4.	5.	6.	7.
D		F	A	G	B	E	C

Exercise 4

Act as an interpreter.

Scott:

10 a.m.

Managing Director arrives at office.

Finds mail has not been correctly sorted.

Two letters are for other people to deal with.

To answer the next letter, it was necessary to refer to a previous letter which could not be found in the file.

Diary was not to hand.

This caused delay and confusion over making an engagement by phone while the secretary was out of the room looking for the missing letter.

Grant:

Well, really?

Do your methods usually include listening to private conversations through open doors?

Scott:

No.

But this time I could hardly help it.

Our job, Mr. Grant, is to observe and report objectively.

Grant:

I see.

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Scott, for your report, and I look forward to studying it carefully.

But as to…

Scott:

As to including a survey on the organisation of your management..?

Grant:

I hadn't bargained for that, you know.

I shall have to think about it.

Hm, yes, I don't quite like the idea of being told how to run my own business, but... well, I'll let you know, Mr. Scott.

Good morning.