Listen and read the memo to employees regarding a competing company.
To: Hewster-Copeland, Inc.Employees
From: Ronald Hester
Re: Framer Associates
Since Framer Associates won the bidfor the city?s downtown revitalization contract, it has been getting a lot of publicity. That publicity has prompted new clients to seek out Framer Associates? services and its business is booming. As s result, it has gone from being a minor player to one of our top competitors.
While it may seem like Framer Associates is a major threat to our company, I do not want any of our employees at Hewster-Copeland to think we are no longer a key player in the contracting and construction market. We have the advantage? our reputation is solid, and we have spent years building customer loyalty through hard work and dedication. When it comes to experience and trustworthiness, we have the edge over Framers.
In addition, we have a good relationship with all of the material suppliers in our area, many of whom are always happy to mention our names and recommend our services to new customers. Just because we did not land the city contract does not mean that we are ruined. In fact, earnings repots show that we still are the top grossing contracting and construction firm in the city.
I thank you all for your continued hard work in making Hewster-Copeland the best in business.
Sincerely,
Ronald Hewster
Task 1. Mark the following sentences as true or false.
Hewster-Copeland lost an important contract to Framer Associates.
Framer Associates had higher profits than Hewster-Copeland.
Suppliers suggest that people use Hewster-Copeland?s services.
Task 2. Fill in the blanks with the correct words and phrases.
bid key player minor player advantage land grossing
The company is a ___________ in the auto industry.
Which company submitted the lowest _______________ ?
BeautyCo?s line of makeup is its highest ___________ product.
Ronald?s experience gave him a (an) ____________ .
Mary?s small business is just a ________________ in the industry.
James has been unable to ________________ new clients.
Task 3. Match the words (1-6) with the definitions (a-f).
contract
competitor
threat
edge
recommend
boom
to increase or become more successful
something that is able to cause damage or hurt
to suggest
a quality that helps a company succeed
an agreement between two companies
a rival in the same field.
Task 4. Listen to a conversation between a manager and an employee. Mark the following statements as true or false.
Jane is employed by Framer Associates.
Hewster-Copeland supplies construction materials.
The man is not concerned about the competition.
Task 5. Listen again and complete a conversation.
Manager: Come on, Janet. ___________ ____________ _________.
Employee: It?s just some of us are concerned that the company isn?t as ____________ as it used to be.
Manager: Does this have anything to do with _________ _________ ________ for the city contract?
Employee: Sort of. It just seems like since Framer Associates got the contract, their business has been ___________ .
Manager: I can assure you, Janet, that Hewster-Copeland is doing just fine. We actually _________ ____________ __________ on Framer Associates.
Employee: We do?
Manager: we?ve been in this business a long time. Hewster-Copeland has a great _________ in the city.
Employee: That is true.
Manager: And our excellent relationship with our _____________ also gives us an advantage.
Task 6. You are a manager. Write a memo to your employees about your company?s competition. Talk about: