THE FUNCTIONS OF AN EXECUTIVE
Dialogue
Anna is having lunch with her sister Barbara. Anna has just accepted a position as an Administrative Assistant. Her boss is an executive with a firm that manufactures heavy machinery used in construction.
Barbara You've got a new job, Anna. My congratulations.
Anna Thanks, Barbara.
Barbara Tell me a few words about your boss. What does he do?
Anna Well, he is one of the vice presidents of the company, so he's rather important.
He is an executive.
BarbaraDo you know the difference between an executive, a manager and an administrator?
Anna I am afraid I can hardly tell you the difference. I think these words are
interchangeable and they really aren't different in many companies.
Barbara What about your company?
Anna In our company the top officers are called administrators. The next highest group - the vice presidents, the heads of major departments and branch plant managers - are executives like my boss.
Barbara Is that all?
Anna The group below consists of managers, they are general managers and foremen.
Barbara So I see that an organization has a number of positions and some people have
more authority than others.
Anna You are right.
Barbara But it would be interesting to know more about the functions of an executive
like your boss.
Anna I'd say he makes a lot of important decisions. He sets objectives, coordinates work, delegates authority, makes hiring, firing, evaluating and just general leading.
Barbara It seems to be important.
Anna It is important. It's evident that making careful decisions is the basis of good
management.
Barbara But do, you work under much pressure?
Anna Barbara, you know I am quite used to working under pressure from my last job.
I am also accustomed to lots of paper work and red tape.
Barbara Good for you.
Anna And what's more important I feel that I can learn a lot because my boss is very
competent.
Barbara Good, I think we'd be in a hurry not to get late for the work.
Active Vocabulary
an executive керівник, адміністратор
manager керівник, адміністратор
an administrator керівник, адміністратор
vice president віце-президент
head of department керівник відділу
foreman майстер, керівник
position посада
to set objectives ставити цілі
to delegate authority розподіляти обов’язки
to work under pressure працювати з примусу
red-tape бюрократична, канцелярська робота
to be competent бути компетентним
Vocabulary Exercises
Exercise 1. Transform the sentences according to the model.
Model: I'm accustomed to setting objectives.
I'm used to setting objectives.
1. We are accustomed to having unlimited liability.
2. He is accustomed to delegating authority.
3. They are accustomed to firing and hiring people.
4. She is accustomed to working as a head of the department.
5. You are accustomed to working under pressure.
6. The executive is accustomed to making decisions.
Exercise 2. Change the modal verb according to the model.
Model: We ought to set objectives this month.
We should set objectives this month.
1. They ought to talk about the functions of an executive.
2. A manager ought to make careful decisions.
3. An executive ought to be very competent.
4. A vice president ought to decide on hiring, firing, vacation, hours.
5. The board of directors ought to plan objectives and changes.
6. They ought to have a meeting with a head of the department.
Exercise 3. Your executive is a very tough man. What should his staff do to please him?
For ideas:
to be creative – мати творчий підхід до справи
to be well-organized – бути добре організованим
to keep fit – тримати себе у формі
to be punctual – бути пунктуальним
to be enthusiastic – бути ентузіастом
to obey the rules – підкорятися (слідувати) правилам
Exercise 4. Answer the questions.
1. What working position is the best for you?
2. Are you accustomed to working under pressure?
3. Are you accustomed to a red-tape job?
4. Do you want to be an executive or an administrator of the big company? What should
you do for it?
5. What qualities do you need to be an executive of the company?
6. What does it mean to be a competent manager?
Text
WHERE AND HOW TO HIRE AN EMPLOYEE?
An employer has several options to consider when he wants to hire a new employee. First of all, he may look within his own company. But if he can't find anybody suitable for the position he will have to look outside the company. If there is a personal office in the company, he can ask them to help him to find a qualified applicant. The employer can also use another valuable sources, for example, employment agencies, consulting firms, placement offices and professional societies. He can also advertise in a newspaper or in a magazine and request candidates to send in resumes.
The employer has two sets of qualifications to consider if he wants to choose from among the applicants. He must consider both professional qualifications and personal characteristics. A candidate's education, experience and skills are included in his professional qualifications. These can be listed on a resume. Personal characteristics or personality traits must be evaluated through interviews.
Active Vocabulary
an option вибір
an employer роботодавець
an
