Business/19

• English
• Special Education

Discussing alternatives

FORMAL:

-I can't think of a better alternative than raising prices, can you, Sam?

-It may be our only alternative, Mary. We've already cut costs everywhere we can.

INFORMAL:

-Barbara, I just can't decide whether to accept this job offer or not.

-Well, Sally, you have to look at the pros and cons. Why don't you make a list?

MORE FORMAL:

-Why do you suppose our turnover in the sales department is so high, George?

-I think it's either because the commission rate is too low or else our benefits program isn't competitive enough.

Role play

You have just come to work late for the third time this week. Your manager asks to see you.

You need to explain to your boss why you are late. You may wish to apologise.

Situation 1: Late to work

Recently, on a business trip, you stayed for two nights at the Fortuna Hotel at a cost of $200. You wish to claim the expenses back from your company. However, you have lost the receipt. You decide to speak to the Finance Manager.

You are eager to claim your money as the two nights were

quite expensive. Although you lost the receipt, the company knows that you stayed at the hotel.

Situation 2: No receipt

You work for a bank and most of the building is closed off to the general public. One day you see a strange person wandering about the hallways. Deal with the situation. 

You are the bank employee. It is very important to keep

unauthorized persons out. If a person is allowed to be there, they must have a visitor’s tag.

Situation 3: An intruder

Your secretary has been very moody recently and it has been affecting her work. You suspect that she is having some sort of trouble at home. 

Speak to your secretary. You want to be empathetic, but you

also want to make sure her problems do not affect her work.

Situation 4: Moody secretary

Your secretary has been very moody recently and it has been affecting her work. You suspect that she is having some sort of trouble at home. 

Speak to your secretary. You want to be empathetic, but you

also want to make sure her problems do not affect her work.

Situation 5: Moody secretary

You are trying to get some important work done, but some other 

employees are horsing around near the water cooler. They’re very loud and you need to ask them to stop. 

Ask your co-workers to stop making so much noise.

Situation 6: Noisy people

You are trying to get some important work done, but some other 

employees are horsing around near the water cooler. They’re very loud and you need to ask them to stop. 

Ask your co-workers to stop making so much noise.

Situation 7: Noisy people

Your CEO has ordered all departments in your company to find ways to cut costs. You and your partner have been tasked with finding ways to cut costs in your department. 

With your partner, come up with at least five cost-cutting measures.

Situation 8: Cutting costs

You have organised a birthday dinner celebration for your best friend after work today. However, your boss wants you to work late, insisting the work is urgent. In your opinion, the work is not that urgent and you can finish it tomorrow. 

Try to convince your boss that it is okay for you to leave
early.

Situation 9: Working late

Prices are going up, but your salary is still the same. You need to ask your boss for a raise. 

Prepare a list of reasons that you feel you deserve a raise
and then speak to your boss about it. 

Situation 10: Asking for a raise

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Countable or uncountable nouns

Choose the correct phrase into the context!

I need more __________ before I can make a decision

1. information
2. informations

I work long __________ in my job.

1. hour
2. hours

Most of our __________ are very happy with our products.

1. customer
2. customers

We bought some new __________ for our factory

1. equipment
2. equipments

Can I ask you for some __________ on the new website?

1. advice
2. advices

I have such a lot of __________ to do.

1. work
2. works

Several __________ were made about the manager.

1. complaint
2. complaints

I downloaded some new __________ for my office PC.

1. software
2. softwares

I saw some interesting __________ at the exhibition.

1. stuff
2. stuffs

We just opened some __________ in China.

1. factory
2. factories

Maybe we should get some new __________ for the reception area.

1. furniture
2. furnitures

I ate croissants many __________ when I was in Paris.

1. time
2. times

The __________ are unhappy that this year's bonus is so small.

1. staff
2. staffs

Sarah has plenty of __________ to work on the report.

1. time
2. times

We all have different __________ about it.

1. opinion
2. opinions

The IT manager wants to buy some new __________ for his programmers.

1. hardware
2. hardwares

I saw some great __________ on their website.

1. offer
2. offers

We should ask for __________ from our customers.

1. feedback
2. feedbacks

We will arrange more training __________ for our employees.

1. session
2. sessions

Goodbye!