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The name of the company you are nominating and its area of business

By Mike Scott

_____________________Climate change, human rights and child labour. A few years ago, companies would have found these issues irrelevant. However, as the world has become better informed, companies have had to take more account of their non-financial impact on society and corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become crucial to a company’s success.

_____________________But do graduates pay any attention to this – and is it having any effect on the career choices they make? Peter Davies, deputy chief executive of Business in the Community, the UK charity that aims to improve the company’s impact on society, says that commitment to CSR does help companies attract new recruits. ‘Companies seen to be managing aspects of corporate responsibility are able to retain and recruit better staff.’

_____________________Sectors at the forefront of CSR ‘are those addressing global issues such as human rights, poverty and HIV/Aids, some of the big issues in society,’ Professor Warhurst of Warwick Business School says. ‘Those are the attractive employers. They’re exciting, they’re doing something completely different – and they’re the ones in the press.’

_____________________She gives the example of the logistics sector as one that has welcomed the challenges of ethical business. ‘Many train, freight and air services – among them DHL and FedEx – are helping hurricane victims in the Caribbean. TPG, the Dutch logistics group, invests heavily in the World Food Programme and has introduced a staff volunteering programme.’

_____________________Different types of companies are having to face different issues, she says, ‘Retail companies are there on ethical supply chain management, oil and mining companies are getting there on land rights, etc, while companies are working on environmental issues.’

B Read Part 2 of the article on the following page and complete the gaps (16–20) with the missing sentences (a–e).

a) So, on the one hand there is a group who want to feel that something is being done.

b) This might be ethical investment or environmental consultancy, for instance.

c) That made them think much more deeply about what they wanted from a job.

d) They’re faced with a big pay package, a glamorous company with lots about CSR.

e) Only time will tell if interest in business ethics will continue to increase.

The effort is worthwhile, she believes. ‘People think of companies doing these things as better companies and might choose them over others.’

Anne-Marie Martin, director of the University of London careers service, agrees, but says that for many the interest in CSR ‘started in the last recession, when students saw their parents being made redundant. _____________________ 16

Corporate scandals such as Enron and Anderson also made students look twice at some high-flying financial careers, but Ms Martin says ‘They’re generally aged twenty-one to twenty-three. _____________________ 17 You’re not going to look too hard at it.’ Some students, though, ‘won’t touch particular areas because they are not socially responsible. These students do think quite deeply about this. They’re very serious about things like the arms trade, the tobacco industry, the third world and green issues. _____________________ 18 On the other there are also those who are just interested in money.’



Over recent years there has certainly been a huge growth in careers in areas related to CSR. _____________________ 19 In addition, a recent survey reported that, among new employees, the qualities employees most value in a company are clear vision and ethical values. _____________________ 20

From the Financial Times

Language

A Some of the following lines contain errors. Find and correct them. If a sentence is correct, put a tick in the space next to that line.

21 They can’t afford lowering prices.______________________

22 Her job involves deal with clients. ______________________

23 I refuse believe you. ______________________

24 I heard about the changes last week. ______________________

25 We stopped the car to check the tyres. ______________________

26 If I would know the firm better, I would offer them credit terms. ______________________

27 Since 1999 we’ve kept away from chemical products. ______________________

28 If you reduce the price by five percent, I might to buy at least five thousand units. ______________________

29 The new CEO decided outsource some of the company’s functions. ______________________

30 Would it help you if I would lend you some money? ______________________

B Complete the gaps in the article with the correct alternatives.

Consultants Manley and Sons ______________________31 (had published / published) a report yesterday, which ______________________ 32 (praised / has praised) BiTe logistics for its excellent environmental record. Since 1999 the company ______________________33 (has won/won) five major environmental awards.

The company currently ______________________ 34 (employs / is employing) eight thousand people. A spokesman for the company ______________________ 35 (was announcing / announced) last week that it ______________________ 36 (has planned / was planning) to take on one hundred more staff at sites around the country. Managing Director Nadja Pal ______________________ 37 (said / says) in an interview several months ago that there ______________________ 38 (isn’t being / hadn’t been) plans to expand any of the sites, but during an interview yesterday she ______________________ 39 (mentioned / was mentioning) that discussions recently ______________________ 40 (took place / are taking place) about possible developments to a plant in Dudley.

The company ______________________ 41 (has come / came) a long way since its early days. Nadja said ‘at the start we ______________________ 42 (hadn’t got / weren’t having) much money, but we ______________________ 43 (always tried / were always trying) to run our business as ethically as we possibly ______________________ 44 (must / could).’ Their experience ______________________ 45 (is showing / shows) that ethics and success go hand in hand!

Skills

7 Complete the gaps in the dialogue with the phrases (a–g).

a) I’d like to think about that

b) have I got this right

c) I think we’ve covered everything

d) That sounds reasonable

e) I’m sorry, we couldn’t afford that

f) let’s look at the options

g) I’ll look into things straight away

Francis: So, ______________________ 46 ? You’d like HR to help you organise a course for sixteen staff members on strategy building.

Danny: That’s right.

Francis: OK. First, ______________________ 47 . We could offer the course in-house – we’ve certainly got enough good trainers. Or we can go outside. I’d recommend AQP Consultancy.

Danny: Hmm. I’m not sure what would be best. ______________________ 48.

Francis: That’s fine, but let me tell you about the prices first. If we hold it here, you’ll only need to pay for refreshments, say £15 per person. What do you think of that?

Danny: ______________________ 49.

Francis: But, a one-day course run by AQP in a three-star hotel is going to cost about £50 per person.

Danny: ______________________ 50 . It’s far too expensive.

Francis: Well, don’t decide yet. I’ll speak to a few people and see if I can find out some other opportunities.

Danny: Thanks – that would be good. Anything else?

Francis: No, ______________________ 51 for now.

Danny: I can’t think of anything else either.

Francis: OK. _____________________ 52 and give you a call.

Vocabulary

A Complete the gaps in these sentences with the correct alternative.

53 He ______________________to review quality procedures.

a) delayed b) arranged c) failed d) insured

54 Each person will receive a ______________________ according to their sales performance.

a) turnover b) bonus c) discount d) commission

55 I’m afraid I won’t be able to ______________________ the next meeting.

a) attend b) propose c) second d) go

56 You should comply with all ______________________ to enable the delivery to go smoothly.

a) regulations b) surveys c) customs d) tariffs

57 We are looking for handcrafted products not ______________________ ones.

a) long-lasting b) mass-produced c) well-known d) high-quality

58 The product comes with a two-year ______________________ .

a) warranty b) compensation c) subsidy d) cover

59 My boss would never accept a ______________________

a) bribe b) corruption c) compensation d) fraud

60 We’ve found a ______________________ in the market.

a) prosperity b) niche c) quote d) plead

B Complete these sentences with the correct form of the word in brackets.

61 Were you pleased with the outcome of the ______________________ (negotiate)?

62 It’s important for companies to deal effectively with______________________(complain).

63 The government is bringing in new ______________________ (regulate).

64 The Co-operative Bank is well-known for its policy of ethical ______________________ (invest).

65 ______________________ (globalise) damages local jobs and services.

66 Does your company offer any form of ______________________ (compensate) for poor quality goods?

67 Have you found a ______________________ (solve) to your problems yet?

68 There is huge ______________________ (compete) in this region.

69 What ______________________ (choose) do I have?

70 We’ve got the ______________________ (threaten) of redundancy hanging over us.

Writing

A You work for a pharmaceutical company. You have recently received the quote below for maintenance work on one of your machines. Write a brief letter of reply, accepting the quote. Write 40 to 50 words.

Mr Mallory

MM Mecanics

28 Ardleigh Way

London E10 7NB

 

4th March 2005

 

Dear Mr Mallory

With reference to your enquiry of 21 February I am pleased to submit the following quotation for the maintenance work specified:

 

£4,295 – this includes VAT.

Payment terms are 30 days.

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Stacey Trelawney

Stacey Trelawney

B Read the following advert about a business award. Then write a letter of 120 to 140 words.

Business Ethics Award

Celebrating ethical businesses!

Write to us to let us know which company you think should win this year’s award. State clearly:

The name of the company you are nominating and its area of business


Date: 2015-12-17; view: 3234


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