Business/21

• English
• Special Education

Clarifying information

FORMAL:

-There's one thing I'm not quite clear on, Stan. Would you mind explaining a little further?

-Of course not, Jane. What is it you don't understand?

INFORMAL:

-I don't think I follow you, Bill. Could you clarify what you mean?

-I guess I'm not making myself too clear. Let me put it another way.

MORE FORMAL:

-I gather you're not in favor of the acquisition, Ed. Is that what you're trying to tell me?

-Now, Jane, don't get me wrong. I just meant we should make sure of our own financial position before moving on it.

When businesses have plans to improve themselves, or simply have a vacancy, the manager usually calls in a specialist to find new talents. That specialist is the HR, or Human Resources, Manager.

HR staff kick into action and start the search for interested recruits. Recruiting is a huge part of making great teams. From the group of wannabes, HR staff use their knowledge and experience to find the best person for the job.

Human Resources I.

HR managers are a vital link in the company's overall structure, making sure that the people match the company's purpose. But Human Resources staff do much more than finding stars for the team. They provide expert advice to managers about how they can improve their team's performance and suggest training options to optimise staff potential.

HR staff also monitor wellbeing, address grievances, look after safety needs and sometimes act as intermediaries in a conflict. Both sides need HR when differences arise.

Human Resources II.

HR managers can make a big difference when they connect the right people. They help shape the business by facilitating change, and everyone benefits.

HR experts are employed all over the world, which allows for great overseas employment opportunities.

Human Resources IV.

And, importantly, they make sure people get paid fairly. They then follow up to make sure that when job requirements change, so does the pay.

Keeping capable staff saves time and money in the long run so HR managers play a big part in staff retention. In a big company, helping people along a successful career path is part of this responsibility.

Human Resources III.

Which of the following can you expect from an HR manager to do?

YES

NO

Recruit new talent into the company

Find locations to set up branches

Manage the sales activity

Find ways to improve production

Find ways to encourage workers to stay at the firm

Suggest training courses for employees to attend

Help when there is a disagreement between workers

Mock Meeting

Some companies have begun 'chipping' employees. That is, to implant microchips into the arm of each employee. 

These chips can be used to pass through security, clock in and out or even to order food in the company canteen. 

Hold a meeting to discuss how this could be implemented in your company.

Mock Meeting: Chipping the workers

Choose the correct answer!

Stock Market

There was record-________ trading volume on the New York Stock Exchange this week.

1. breaking
2. destroying
3. taking
4. cutting

This week the bulls gained the upper ________. ( = persevered/came out on
top)

1. face
2. level
3. hand
4. neck

Price ________ are fluctuations in the price of a stock.

1. levels
2. swings
3. switches
4. changes

When a stock market "_______", it means it recovers after being down.

1. rallies
2. rolls
3. relives
4. relies

The recovery raised ________ that the worst might be over.

1. ideas
2. thoughts
3. hopes
4. wishes

A _______ market refers to a period of time when many stocks rise in value.

1. bull
2. ball
3. bell
4. Bill

I own 1,000 _______ of their stock.

1. shares
2. pieces
3. papers
4. cuts

The scandal _________ ( = caused/contributed to) the sell-off.

1. fooled
2. failed
3. fueled
4. fell

The earnings were higher than _______, which sent the stock through the roof. ( = increased its value dramatically)

1. expected
2. escaped
3. accepted
4. excepted

The stock market was down 400 points, but finished up 50 points. What are some of the reasons for this _________?

1. turnstile
2. turnaround
3. roundabout
4. circle

Goodbye!