Grammar

1. Complete the following extract from a discussion by putting the verbs into the most suitable conditional form.

Chris: If we …… (want) to recruit better workers, we need to offer better rates of pay.

Maria: I disagree. Just look at Mansell. If we …… (follow) their example, we …… (be) bankrupt by now. If we …… (offer) the highest wages, I doubt that it would make us a better employer.

Chris: Well, look at it the other way round. If we don't attract better workers, we simply …… (not get) the orders.

Maria: Why not?

Chris: Because of investment. If a company …… (want) to succeed it must invest in all aspects of the business. And that includes the workforce.

Maria: So, if we were to invest in the workforce, how …… you …… (suggest) going about it? Chris: I …… (recommend) a study of the average wage in this area for different types of work. And then we should offer a competitive rate for different grades, as long as everyone …… (agree).

Maria: And what if they …… (not agree)?

Chris: Then Bob …… (must) make the final decision.

2. Complete the following telephone call (-ING versus INFINITIVE).

S: Good morning, SAWA Enterprises.

A: Hello, I'd like …… (speak) to Mr Hashimoto.

S: Who's calling, please?

A: Andreas Blom, from Salzburg. I wonder if I could …… (see) him this week?

S: I’m sorry, Mr Hashimoto is not free this week. He tried …… (phone) you last week but you were in New York.

A: Yes, I'm sorry. I remember …… (ask) him to call me, but I forgot …… (tell) him I would be away.

S: Perhaps I can ask him …… (call) you as soon as he is free next week.

A: Yes, please do. I’ll look forward …… (hear) from him.

S: Okay. Thank you for …… (call). We’ll talk again next week.

A: Fine. Bye for now.

S: Goodbye.

Case study

Background

The international construction and engineering group KMB is based in Munich, Germany and has manufacturing subsidiaries and associated companies throughout the world. Its company magazine is published five times a year and is distributed by post to staff worldwide. The following letter, sent by a member of staff in its Brazilian sales office, appeared in the magazine's latest issue.

Dear editor,

I know I'm not the only one who feels uninformed about what's going on in KMB worldwide.

When I was at our recent sales conference in Munich several other people from overseas subsidiaries said they felt a lack of involvement and wanted more information from head office about new developments within the group. For example, why has KMB bought a major civil engineering company in Australia? How does this acquisition fit into our overall strategy? Unfortunately we could only guess at the reasons.

We also think it's essential to share best practice among our subsidiaries.

We must know about ideas for improving efficiency as soon as possible. For example, if a marketing technique has been successful in one market, other areas of our business should be told.

We all agreed that the new Global Communications Director should overhaul KMB's communication system so that all members of staff are kept fully informed - both about overall strategy, and about news from overseas subsidiaries. What's the use of a worldwide network if no one knows what's going on?

Aldo Renato

São Paulo, Brazil

The new Global Communications Director, Dominique Lapierre, sent the following e-mail to the Chief Executive of KMB after Aldo Renato's letter had been discussed at a board meeting.

Task

You are members of the working group which will discuss suggestions for improving KMB's communication system.

1. Brainstorm ideas of your own which you could add to the draft agenda.

2. Choose the three best ideas and add them to the agenda.

3. Then, hold an informal meeting. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the suggestions. Also consider the cost implications of each proposal. Finally, work out an action plan for improving communications within the company.

4.As a member of the working group, write a memo to the heads of all of KMB's subsidiaries. This should inform them that the meeting took place and should outline the plan of action agreed. Finally, the memo should ask for their co­operation in implementing the suggestions.

UNIT 6 Success