Unit 1 Corporate Culture Progress Test

Task 2 / Recording 1.39-44


Listen to different people talking about the budget airline Evanair. Are the statements true or false?

1 All Evanair cabin crew have security passes. True / False

2 An average working day for Evanair cabin crew is 10½ -11 hours. True / False
3 Robin stopped working for Evanair because the long hours made him ill. True / False
4 Michael thinks it’s better for employees to work for budget airlines. True / False
5 Evanair is the most profitable airline in Europe. True / False
6 It’s a problem for Anna that budget airline like Evanair are uncomfortable. True / False
7 Evanair passengers can see that the cabin crew get tired from working
long hours. True / False
8 Britain is worse than other European countries for CO₂ emissions. True / False


Part 4 Speaking


5 points


Prepare a one-minute presentation on one of these topics. You have one minute to prepare your talk.

A
What is important when implementing a lean manufacturing system?

• 
  Adapting mass production systems
  
• 
  Employee loyalty and understanding
  

B
What is important when planning a project?

• 
  Deciding on priorities
  
• 
  Deadlines
  

C
What is important when preparing an exhibition stand?

• 
  Location
  
• 
  Displays and other visual images
  

Variant IV
Name: _______________________________


Part 1 Reading
Task 1
Read the article on the characteristics of successful business people.
Are sentences 1-10 right or wrong?
If there is no information in the text to answer ‘Right’ or ‘Wrong’, choose ‘Doesn’t say’.

You’ve got the knowledge, a great business idea and financial backing – this should guarantee business success, surely? Perhaps, but your character and personality come into the picture too. A number of particular personal characteristics are found in successful entrepreneurs in all fields and these aspects of their character are closely linked with their success in business. These characteristics are so important that in the long term they can even be more beneficial than considerations such as good contacts and a clear marketing strategy.

Ambition is high on the list of essential characteristics, with successful people being driven by a very strong desire to achieve. Successful people are also self-disciplined and hard-working. Many rich and famous entrepreneurs started out working long hours for little money, maintaining a tough work routine despite hardship. Honesty is another important characteristic. This means openness and integrity towards those you deal with as well as the ability to recognize your own strengths and weaknesses. Self-confidence and a positive attitude are also helpful personality traits, both in terms of the image you project to others and your ability to cope when you encounter problems.

Although you may believe you were born with a particular personality that is fixed, it is possible to make changes to some of your personal characteristics by changing your habits and behaviour. Setting targets and regularly measuring your own performance, for example, is a practical step associated with being ambitious. Making a forward schedule can lead to a more dedicated approach to your business. Putting on paper two positive achievements or experiences at the end of each working day can help build self-confidence and a positive attitude. It’s therefore worth periodically taking a close look at your own business habits and behaviour to see what changes you can make to bring your personal characteristics closer to those commonly found in successful entrepreneurs.

1 Skills, money and knowing the right people are all you need to achieve business
success.