PASS_BEC_新编剑桥商务英语口试必备手册(中高级)

目录

第一单元公司运作与管理

Teamwork 团队合作 1 Reducing Production Cost 降低生产成本12 Internal Communications 内部沟通8 Reducing Overheads 减少管理费用18 How to Deal with a Heavy Workload 如何应对繁重的工作23 Work Environment工作环境27 Logistics物流32 Business Ethics 商业道德

第二单元人力资源管理37 Recruiting & Selecting 人员招聘42 Employee Training 员工培训48 Career Development 职业发展53 Promotion 晋升59 Staff promotion 激励员工65 Staff turnover 员工流失71 Appraising and Improving Performance 绩效考核与改进绩效76 Pay and benefits 薪酬与福利80 Labor relations劳动关系85 Work place safety and health 工作安全与职业保健90 Time management 时间管理95 Managing stress 缓解压力

第三单元市场营销101

Product development 产品开发106 Setting price 产品定价110 Product promotion 产品推广114 Advertising 广告118 Packaging 包装122 Branding 品牌126 Customer satisfaction 顾客满意度130 Keeping Customers 留住顾客134 Marketing channels 营销渠道

第四单元商务旅行138

Travel and transport 出行与交通工具142 Travel and accommodation 差旅与住宿148 Domestic travel 国内差旅154 Travelling abroad 国际差旅

第五单元企业公关160 Corporate culture 企业文化166 Company image 公司形象172 Corporate gifting 公司送礼178 Corporate sponsorship 企业赞助183 Dress code 着装要求189 Entertaining business clients 招待客户

第六单元公司发展195

Site location and relocation 公司选址和迁址200

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Going global 全球营销205 Franchise 特许经营209 Meeting competition 应对竞争

第七单元商务电子化与新型工作方式213 Office automation 办公自动化217 Setting up company website 建立公司网站224 Internet marketing 互联网促销230 Flexible patterns of work 弹性工作方式

第八单元商务会议235

Staging a meeting/conference 举办会议241 Attending a meeting/conference 参加会议247 Giving a presentation 大会发言251 Trade fair and exhibitions 会展257 PRACTICE TEST ONE 练习1 263 PRACTICE TEST TWO 练习2 271 PRACTICE TEST TWO 练习3 278

UNIT ONE Company Operation and Management 第一单元公司运作与管理

1.1 Teamwork 团队合作

Teamwork 团队合作，团队精神

Team-based 以团队为基础的

Horizontal organization structure 横向企业结构Corporate goals 企业目标

Charter 规章，章程

Be accountable for 对…负有责任

Creative innovation 创新改革，创新发明创新精神Reward system 奖励制度

Pay back 回报，报偿

Individuality 个性

Independent thinking 独立的思想

Group decision-making 集体决策

Managerial skill 管理技能

Coordinate 使协调，调整

Interpersonal relationship 人际关系

Mutual trust 相互信任

Bring out the potentials 充分发挥潜能

Closely-knit （关系）密切的

Keep track of 跟踪，追踪

Time-consuming 花费时间的

Line manager 部门经理，业务经理（与行政经理相对）Pre-building 团队建设

Nurture 培养，教育，发展

Nurture team dynamics 培养团队活力

Promote team spirit 提倡团队精神

Drive team success 驱使团队成功

Minimize 将…减少到最少，最小化

Inhibit 约束，抑止

Liven up 使…有生气

Training session 一场训练，培训课期

Rafting 漂流

Rock climbing 攀岩

Teammate 队友

Impact 影响，效果

Complementary 补充的，互补的

Revitalize 使新生，给予新的活力

Trait （个人性格方面的）特征，显著的特点Commitment 敬业精神

Interpersonal communication skills 人际交际技能，亦作interpersonal skills

Address 处理（事情）

Creative innovation 创新精神

How to Make Teams Effective

如何组建精锐的团队

People in every workplace talk about building the team, working as a team, and my team, but few understand how to create the experience of teamwork or how to develop an effective team.

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在各种工作场合，人们都在谈论团队建设、团队合作、自己的团队，但是却很少有人真正理解如何体验团队合作以及如何组建一支精锐的团队。

Belonging to a team, in the broadest sense, is a result of feeling part of something larger than yourself.

属于一个团队，就是体验自己成为比自己更大的团体的一部分。

It has a lot to do with your understanding of the mission or objectives of your organization.

这在很大程度上与你对企业任务和目标的理解有关。

In a team-oriented environment, you contribute to the overall success of the organization.

在以团队为导向的环境里，你要为企业的全面成功做出自己的贡献。

You work with fellow members of the organization to produce these results.

你要和同事们通力合作以达到这些目标。

Even though you have a specific job function and you belong to a specific department, you are unified with other organization members to accomplish the overall objectives.

即使你属于某个工作部门，有着具体工作职责，你仍然要与其他同事团结一致去实现这些总体目标。

The bigger picture drives your actions; your function exists to serve the bigger picture.

你的行动受到企业更大目标的驱使，你的职责服务于企业更大的目标。

Therefore, executives, managers, and organization staff members universally explore ways to improve business results and profitability.

因而，行政主管、经理以及组织的普通员工无不对提高企业绩效和盈利能力的办法进行探讨。

Many view team-based, horizontal organization structures as the best design for involving all employees in creating business success.

许多人认为，让全体员工参与、为企业成功共同努力的最好策略是采取以团队为基础的横向企业结构。

Successful team building requires attention to each of the following Twelve Cs.

成功的团队建设要遵循以下12条建议：

Clear expectations: Do team members understand why the team was created?

明确目标：团队成员是否明确团队组建的目的？

Context:Can team members define their team’s importance to the accomplishment of corporate goals?

组建背景：团队成员是否明确团队对于实现企业目标的重要性？

Commitment: Do team members perceive their service as valuable to the organization and to their own careers?

敬业精神：团队成员是否认识到团队对于企业以及对自身事业的成功都很重要？

Competence: Does the team feel that its members have the knowledge, skill, and capability to address the issues for which the team was formed?

团队能力：团队是否感知其成员拥有应对种种问题的知识、技能和实际能力？而团队组建的目的就是为了解决这些问题。

Charter: Has the team taken its assigned area of responsibility and designed its own mission, vision, and strategies to accomplish the mission?

团队规章：团队是否明确自己的职责范围并规划出自己的目标、远景和对策以完成使命？

Control: Do team members hold each other accountable for project timelines, commitments, and results?

内部控制：团队成员是否对项目时间安排、应承担的义务和结果等共同负有责任？

Collaboration: Do team members cooperate to accomplish the team charter?

协作精神：团队成员是否能相互协作、遵循团队章程？

Communication: Do team members communicate clearly and honestly with each other?

内部沟通：团队成员之间能否明确、诚实地进行相互沟通？

Creative Innovation: Does the team value creative thinking, unique solutions, and new ideas?

创新改革：团队是否注重鼓励创新思维、独特的解决办法和新的想法？

Consequences:Is the organization designing reward systems that recognize both team and individual performance?

结果影响：团队是否制定奖励制度来奖励团队以及个人的工作表现？

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Coordination: Are teams coordinated by a central leadership that assists the groups to obtain what they need for success?

协调配合:团队是否有领导核心来协调工作、帮助各小组取得成功？

Cultural Change: Does the organization recognize that the more it can change its climate to support teams, the more it will receive in pay back from the work of the teams?

改进文化：企业是否认识到越是通过改变企业氛围来支持团队的工作，就越能够从团队的工作中得到回报？

Spend time and attention on each of these twelve tips to ensure your work teams contribute most effectively to your business success.

要认真关注这12条建议，以保证你的团队能为企业的成功最有效地作出努力。

PART ONE: Interview

(1) Do you like working in a team or on your own?(why?)

你喜欢在团队与个人合作还是独自工作？

I like working in a team, as the proverb goes:” Two heads are better than one.” In a team, I can learn from my fellow workers, get help from them w hen I’m under pressure. And the most important thing is : I can learn to communicate with all sorts of people.

(2) How important is the central leadership of a team?

团队的核心领导有多重要？

It’s very important. You need someone with managerial skills to lead within the team: he is able to see the big picture of the work going on , to engage others, coordinate interpersonal relationship and organize resources effectively.

(3) Do you prefer to work in small teams or big teams?(why)

你喜欢在小型团队还是在大型团队中工作？

I prefer to work in a big team. You see, when you work with more people, you get a chance to listen to different points of view, to learn to see things in different perspectives. It’s also more challenging as you have to coordinate with more people,

(4) Is it necessary for a team to have regular meetings?

团队是否有必要定期开会？

Yes, I think it’s absolutely necessary. Regular meetings can enable team members to keep track of work progress and it’s a means of considering information and making collective decisions.

PART TWO: Mini-presentation

What’s important when…?

Evaluating the success of teamwork 衡量团队成功与否需要考虑哪些要点？

●Mutual trust 相互信任

●Full co-operation 通力合作

Mutual trust is the first secret of successful teamwork. When members share a trusting relationship, they will feel free to expres s their views, understand each other’s capabilities and limitations, and communicate with each other timely. This helps to bring out the potentials, experience and creativity of the individual and create good work environment. Full co-operation among team members has a direct impact on the success or failure of the team. When team members develop a strong awareness of cooperation, they would make collective efforts to achieve the common objectives and ensure a higher level of quality and workmanship.

On top of that, timely communication and decision making will also help to improve work efficiency.

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PART THREE：Discussion

Teamwork

Your company is offering a brief training programme on team building for line managers. You have been asked to help plan the programme. Discuss the situation together, and decide:

●what issues should the programme focus on

●what kind of activities should be included

团队合作

你们公司正在考虑为部门经理提供关于团队建设的短期培训课程。请你们协助策划这一课程。讨论并决定：

●该培训课程应集中在哪些问题上

●应包含哪些活动

A: Well, I think it’s a good idea that our c ompany is planning to offer a training programme on team building for all line managers.

B：Yes. We need to work out the focus of this programme.

A: In my opinion, we should , first of all, focus on issues like how to form an effective team and how to improve communication within the team. These are the most important things we need to consider when holding a training programme.

B: Yes, I quite agree with you. Understanding these issues is the pre-requisite of successful team-building. Besides that, how to nurture team dynamics should be another focus of our training programme, I mean, analyse and encourage the dynamics that drive team success and minimize the factors that inhibit the healthy functioning of the team.

A: Yes, only when all team members are motivated, and they give good performance in work.

B: So we can include in our programme, the activities that help to promote team spirit, activities that help develop employee motivation and improve communication.

A: Well, we can provide team building games, and outdoor activities that liven up the training sessions.

B: I’m quite with you here. We can organize outdoor adventures like rafting, sailing and rock climbing. These events serve to increase personal awareness of abilities and complementary skills in your teammates.

A: it’s a very good idea. These exciting activities not only encourage team participation, problem soving and revitalize morale, they also add some fun and variation to our programme.

B: And in fulfilling their potentials, everyone in the t eam learns to understand other people’s capacities and learns to appreciate the impact of their traits on team dynamics.

A: Yes, mutual understanding and mutual trust are indispensable to effective team building.

Follow-up questions:

（1）What are the characteristics of a good team?

一个良好的团队有哪些特点？

Characteristics like mutual trust, co-operation, commitment, openness of expression among team members are essential to a good team. Besides, a team should also be clear about the common goals they aim to attain.

（2）What might be the disadvantages of working in a team environment?

在团队中工作有哪些不利因素？

Sometimes, team membership requires you to give up some individuality in order for the team to function as a whole. Sometimes you feel your own contribution to the team cannot be measured, so you work less than you would individually.

（3）Would you like to take part in a programme for developing teamwork?(Why)

你是否愿意参加团队发展的培训课程？

Yes, of course. It offers me opportunities to develop better interpersonal communication skills, and these are essential in my business career.

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（4）How might a company measure the success of a training programme?

公司应该怎样衡量培训课程的成败？

To evaluate the impact of a training programme, we can see if the training has helped to address the issues in the work, to see if there’s any improvement in the work performance of the staff and if it encourages creative innovation and teamwork.

（5）Do you think a company will always benefit from staff training?(Why?/Why not?)

你是否认为公司总是可以从员工培训中有所获益？

I think a company can benefit much from staff training. Through training, employees will have a better understanding of their work objectives, have greater commitment in their work, and acquire practical working skills.

1.2 Internal Communications 内部沟通

Be committed to 致力于

Be engaged in 投身于…，忙于

Delivery 传输，传送

Corporate information 公司信息

Vision 设想，远见

Openness 坦诚，公开

Integrity 诚信，诚实

Paramount 极为重要的

-wide （后缀，与名词一起构成形容词或副词）全…范围的

Opinion survey 意见调查

Put in place 实施，到位

Audience-driven 以受众为导向的

Communications approach 沟通方式

Segmentation 分割，切断

Customization 根据对方需要制作，量身定做Integrated platform 集成的（信息）平台

Cost efficiency 成本效率

Digital media 数码媒介

Intranet 企业内部互联网

Notice-board 布告牌

Resentment 愤恨，不满

Open-minded 胸襟开阔的

Out-going 爽直的，乐于助人的，外向的Mettle 勇气，精神

Initiative 主动性

Management message 管理信息

Performance excellence 优异表现

Subordinate 下级，下属

E-mail newsletter 电邮通讯，电子邮件通讯，亦作E-newsletter, E-news-letter

Tangible performance standards 具体的工作标准Annual performance reviews (对员工的)年度业绩考核，年度绩效评估

Staff appraisal (对员工的)业绩评估，业绩考核

Two-way communication 双向交流

Voice one’s opinions about 就…发表自己的意见Column （报纸、杂志的）专栏

Layout 版面设计

Cartoon picture 漫画

Company logo 公司标识

A sense of belonging 归属感

Work station 工作站，工作处

Information equality 信息均等

Have access to 有权使用…

Channel 渠道，通道

Opinion poll 民意测验

Internal communications

内部沟通

Nokia is committed to a strong internal communications culture and practice.

诺基亚公司致力于建立一种强有力的内部沟通文化和实践体系。

Its broad range of communications activities, channels and media strive to help employees manage and use corporate information they receive in their work and organizational relationships and in doing so,

诺基亚公司通过各种广泛的沟通活动以及丰富的沟通渠道和媒介，尽力帮助员工管理和运用他们在工作中以及在企业交往中获得的公司信息。

be fully engaged in the delivery of the company’s strategy and the Nokia Way.

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公司通过这种做法，切实传播公司的运作策略以及“诺基亚之道”

Nokia promotes a culture where good communications practice is integrated into every day interaction with and between employees and where shared vision and goals, shared knowledge, openness, speed and integrity are paramount.

诺基亚公司倡导这样一种公司文化：将良好的沟通习惯融入公司于员工以及员工与员工之间的日常交往之中。在这一公司文化中，共同的期望和目标、共享的知识、坦诚、高效和诚信高于一切。

The company measures its performance in internal communications through the company-wide annual employee opinion survey as well as targeted surveys around specific communications activities.

诺基亚公司通过在公司上下进行一年一度的员工意见调查，以及针对具体沟通活动的目标调查，衡量公司内部沟通方面的绩效。

Nokia is putting in place an audience-driven communications approach to meet the diverse needs of its employees for information and communication, with emphasis on segmentation, customization and choice of access.

诺基亚公司正在实施以受众为导向的沟通方式，以满足员工对信息和交流的不同需要，着重强调沟通职能的切分、量体裁衣的沟通方式以及沟通途径和选择。

This work is supported by the development and use of common and integrated platforms and processes which will encourage cost efficiency in the use of internal and external resources and adoption over time of digital media.

这项工作得以展开是通过开发和使用了普通以及集成的信息平台和处理程序，在运用内外资源的过程中激励成本效率，并采用了数码媒介等方式。

There are three primary channels for communicating with employee. Nokia people magazine is published in the four most common languages in Nokia: English, Finnish, Chinese and German. Nokia News Service offers daily online news from around the organization, and the Intranet contains a vast amount of detailed company information.

诺基亚公司和员工的沟通有三种不同的渠道。《诺基亚人》杂志采用四种语言出版：英语、芬兰语、汉语和德语；诺基亚新闻服务网每天提供在线的公司新闻；还有企业内部互联网，提供大量详细的公司信息。

PART ONE Interview

(1) What are the methods of communication to staff in most companies?大多数公司采用什么方式和员工进行沟通？The most popular communication methods include: face-to-face communication, E-mails, telephone, notice-boards, etc. nowadays, the Intranet is a very effective method of communication.

(2) Do you think you are good at communicating with your boss?(Why?/Why not?)你觉得自己善于和上司沟通吗？Yes. I think I’m quite good at communicating with people. Whenever I have some new ideas or resentment about my work. I’ll talk to my boss face to face. I’m very frank and open-minded, ready to accept different opinions.

(3) Is it important to let your manager know your ideas about work?(Why)

让你的上司知道你对工作的看法是否重要？

I think it’s very important. You see, I often make suggestions to my boss about internal development, and discuss are as I would like to improve on. In this way, I’m contributing to the overall improvement of the company.

(4) Do you think people can be trained to communicate more efficiently （Why）

你认为通过培训人们是否可以更有效地进行沟通？

Yes. I think it will be very helpful if employees get chances to attend training courses on interpersonal skills. Such training will enable them to communicate more effectively.

Part Two: Mini-presentation

What’s important when…?

Communciating management messages to the staff

和员工沟通管理信息需要考虑哪些要点？

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●Overall purpose 整体目标

●Feedback on performance 对工作表现的反馈

●

First of all , I think it’s important to clearly state your overall purpose and expectations. In this way, employee know exactly what they should do to meet work requirements and to achieve performance excellence.

In addition to this, providing feedback on their performance is also important. On the managerial part, performance reviews help managers to keep track of possible problems in their own work. On the part of the employees, they get encouraged for their hard work and are given chances to correct mistakes made on the job.

Besides, managers should be more open in sharing information with their subordinates. They should let employees know in advance any proposed changes before they actually occur. This will enhance mutual understanding and trust.

PART THREE Discussion

E-mail Newsletter

You company would like to introduce an E-mail newsletter to send to all members regularly. You have been asked to help co-ordinate the project. Discuss the situation together, and decide:

●what kinds of articles and information should be included

●what the newsletter should look like and how often it should be sent

电子邮件快讯

你们公司意欲创建一份电子邮件快讯，定期发给全体员工。请你们共同协调这一计划。讨论并决定：

●电子邮件快讯中应包含哪些文章和信息

●电子邮件快讯的版式、发送周期

A：You see, our company is designing an E-mail newsletter for all staff members. It certainly is a very good channel for internal communication.

B: Yes. What information should be included, in your opinion?

A: It should carry articles about the tangible performance standards for staff to follow, and information about any changes in the company, such as new policies, new projects and new managers, etc. this will help to reduce the chance for confusion and misinterpretation of key corporate polices and decisions.

B: Yes, I’m quite with you here. Information of this kind will help staff members better adjust themselves to the work environment and achieve higher level of performance.

A: There should also be information about the latest achievements of the company as well.

B: I agree with you. But…

A: And about annual performance reviews and staff appraisals, just to reward hardworking people and look at problems in work. You see…

B: Well, you are quite right. But I think we should place emphasis on two-way communication. The newsletter should also focus on the employee side. We should allow our employees to voice their opinions about day-to-day work and corporate development. They should also have a chance to comment on the performance of the managers and point out problems in their work.

A: That’s a good idea. So let’s put in this column” Voice from the Staff”.

B: Besides the contents, the layout is also important. We can use some photos, people usually like to see pictures of themselves and people they know. So it will be able to attract more readers. We can also use cartoon pictures to help illustrate our ideas.

A: Good. And don’t forget our company logo, it will help to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty. And let’s also insert some humour, to make it more readable.

B: Finally, I think it should be sent to our employees every other week.

A: Well, er…you see, this is a competitive age, news and information keep changing. Why n ot make it once in every ten days, three different issues every month.

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B: Alright. And let’s make it short, so people don’t have to spend too much time reading each issue.

A: I agree.

Follow-up questions

（1）Do you think it’s important that managers listen to complaints from employees?(why/why not?)

你认为经理听取员工的申诉是否很重要？

Yes. Complaints from employees usually reflect the problems within the firm, some even show problems of the management. Listening to the complaints helps managers to find problems and ways to resolve them.

（2）Do you communicate with your colleague often and how?

你是否经常和同事沟通？是怎样沟通的？

Yes. I often communicate with my colleagues, we share corporate information together, exchange news and views. In most cases, we chat with each other, sometimes we E-mail to each other.

（3）What are the advantages of management communications?

管理沟通有哪些优势？

Management communications can enhance mutual trust, promote employee commitment, boost morale. On top of that, it helps to improve productivity.

（4）Is it necessary for the manager to have personal contacts with his employees?

经理是否有必要亲自去同雇员沟通？（为什么）

Yes. It is better for the manager go to an employee’s work station rather than make phone calls. Face-to-face discussion shows your sincerity and what’s more, it’s more open and direct.

（5）How important is it to develop the intranet of the company?

开发公司内部互联网有任何重要意义?

In this information age, company intranet tends to be a very effective channel of communication. It’s speedy in relaying the corporate news, management messages, internal changes, etc. and it promotes information equality, as everyone has access to it.

1.3 Reducing Production Cost 降低生产成本

Result in 导致，造成

Cut corners 抄近路，走捷径，偷工减料

Greener pastures 更绿的牧场（比喻更好的谋生去处，更好的工作、职位）

Deadwood 枯枝，朽木；无用的人

Nuisance 讨厌的人或事，麻烦事

Ex-customer 过去的顾客，以前的顾客

In the short run 在短期内

Go through the roof 大大增加，上涨到处乎意料的程度TQM (total quality management) 全面质量管理

Under the umbrella of 在…的保护下

Cost accountant 成本会计师

Cost control 成本控制

Prognosis 预告预言

Customer service 客户服务中心，客户服务Customer satisfaction 客户满意度

Cost effective (有)成本效益的

Competitive edge 竞争优势，竞争力

Cost-efficient 成本效益高的

Cost management 成本管理

Cut down 削减，减少

Raw material 原料

To a large extent 在很大程度上

Cost-conscious 注重节约成本的

Production line 生产线，流水线

Ergonomics 功效学

Specialist 专家

User-friendly 方便用户的

Shift work 倒班制，轮班工作（一半指三班倒，即day shift, evening shift,以及night shift）

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Permanent schedule 固定班（亦称fixed schedule）Rotating schedule 轮班制

Out of step with 与…步调不一致

Adjust to 对…适应

Fight off 竭力避免

Body rhythm 生理节奏

Stressful （心理、生理或情绪上的）紧张、压力

Out of step with 与…不协调，失调

Consultancy service 咨询服务Night shift blues 夜班忧郁症

All this 所有这一切

Health counseling facilities 健康咨询设施Health facilities 健身设备

Round the clock 24小时

Translate to 转化为

Hazard危害，公害

Adequate lighting 充分的照明，足够的照明Proper heat 适当的室温

Reducing Business Costs

降低经营成本

Cost reduction is an important factor in improving the state of a business.

降低成本是改进企业状况的一个重要因素。

It can obviously result in higher profits and a stronger enterprise.

它可以明显地提高利润，壮大企业。

Most business leaders and managers would like to reduce costs, but many find it difficult to do the right things.

大多数企业主管和经理都想降低成本，但大多感到难以找到正确的途径。

There are several methods business leaders or managers use to reduce costs that can be damaging to the health of the organization.

企业主管和经理采用的削减成本的有些方法对企业健康发展是有害的。

These include downsizing, reducing customer service, and cutting corners in production methods.

这些方法包括缩小企业规模、减少客户服务，以及在生产中偷工减料。

Downsizing

缩小企业规模

Some company leaders feel they can reduce costs by simply downsizing or reducing the number of workers or middle managers.

有些公司领导认为，可以通过缩小企业规模或者精简员工或中层管理人员来减少成本。

If this is done after applying ISO 9000. and defining the exact role of everyone, it may be a necessary and effective method.

如果是在实施ISO9000质量体系之后，并已对每个成员的角色做出了细致的规定之后，这有可能不失为必要并且有效的一种方法。

Unfortunately, most companies that downsize do so wi thout really knowing the impact on the company’s operations.但遗憾的是大多数削减规模的公司采用了裁员这种方法，但并不真正知道这种方法对公司运作所产生的影响。

One of the biggest effects of downsizing to reduce costs is that the good employees quickly leave the company for greener pastures.

以裁员的方法来削减成本，一个最大的副作用就是不少好的员工很快就会离开公司另谋高就。

Thus the company is left with the deadwood employees, who are supposed to do twice the work as before.

公司就只剩下一些庸员，而这些人要承担两倍于以前的工作量。

Reducing Customer Service

减少客户服务

Customer service can be a nuisance and is often expensive.

客户服务可能是件麻烦事并且耗资巨大。

Sometimes companies will reduce or eliminate the service they give to the customers. Unfortunately,

有时公司会减少甚至取消为客户们提供的服务。

a neglected customer is an ex-customer.

但遗憾的是，一个被冷落的客户就不在是你的客户了。

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Cutting Corners

偷工减料

A quick way to cut costs is by cutting corners in production or service methods.

削减成本的一个捷径是在生产或服务过程中偷工减料。

Some company leaders feel that by using cheaper materials and labor, and by eliminating part and steps, they can cut costs and save money.

有些领导认为，他们可以利用更为廉价的原材料和劳动力，减去一些步骤，以此减少成本，节省费用。

It is true that costs may be cut in the short run, but often the product or service is of such a low quality that repair and rework costs go through the roof.

诚然，这样做在短期内可以削减成本，但是往往会使产品和服务的质量低下，结果是补救、返工的成本奇高无比。Also customers may be come unhappy with the low quality and move on to another supplier.

而且造成客户对产品质量不满并另找供应商。

Effective way to reduce costs include training your workers, getting quality goods from suppliers, and using Total Quality Management(TQM)tools.

降低成本的有效方法包括对员工进行培训、从供应商处购买优质的产品，以及启用全面质量管理（TQM）工具。Because to reduce costs means to reduce waste. That is wasted materials, wasted effort, and wasted time.

因为降低成本意味着减少浪费，即对原材料、人工和时间的浪费。

Train Workers

培训员工

In these days of changing technologies and methods, it is necessary to train your workers to keep them up to date. 在技术和生产手段日新月异的今天，有必要对员工进行培训，使他们赶上新的发展。

Get Quality from Suppliers

从供应商处购买优质的产品

Low quality goods from suppliers is a major source of waste.

购买低质量的产品是最大的浪费源。

You should not only try to get quality suppliers but also work with your suppliers to help them improve their operations and quality of output.

你不仅需要寻找能提供高质量产品的供应商，而且还要帮助他们改进经营和产品质量。

TQM Tools

全面质量管理工具

There are a number of improvement methods that can be placed under the umbrella of T otal Quality Management(TQM).

在全面质量管理工具体系内有许多改善经营的方法。

In conclusion, crude methods to reduce costs—such as downsizing—are not effective and can actually harm a business.

总之，粗劣的降低成本的方法，例如缩小企业的规模，不仅无效，而且还会对企业造成损耗。

Helping your suppliers, training your workers, and using TQM-type improvement tools can help to eliminate waste and improve the profits of your business.

为你的供应商提供帮助，对员工进行培训，并启用全面质量管理型改进工具，这些将有助于减少浪费，提高企业的盈利能力。

PART ONE: Interview

(1) Is it important to consult a cost accountant when starting a new project?(Why/Why not)

(2) 启动新项目时，向成本会计师咨询是否重要？（为什么？）

Yes. It’s paramount in cost control. The cost accountant can prepare budgets and give a prognosis for the project. His advice is essential in deciding whether to undertake or abandon the planned project.

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(3) In what ways is customer service related to cost reduction?客户服务在哪些方面与降低成本有关？

Customer service can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Good customer relationship helps to improve your company image and boost sales. As a result, large scale production will be cost effective for your company.

(4) Do you think people can be trained to work more efficiently?(Why/Why not?)

(5) 你认为人们通过培训可以提高工作效率么？

Yes. I think staff training is extremely important nowadays. You see, technologies keep changing and if employees get regular training, they would be able to work more efficiently. It’s the competence of the workforce that sharpens the competitive edge of the company.

(6) What changes in cost management do you expect will happen in the future?

你认为将来在成本管理方面会有哪些变化？

I expect it will head towards more cost-efficient methods, involving more parties in the process of production: not only corporate management and staff, but also suppliers, retailers and even customers.

PART TWO: Mini-presentation

What’s important when…?

Aiming to control production cost 要控制生产成本需要考虑哪些要点？

*Quality supplier 高质量的供货商

*Efficiency of production line 生产线的效率

*

In cost management, it’s important to cut down the cost of raw materials, as to a large extent, it helps to determine the product prices. Cost-conscious companies always seek to work with good suppliers who can offer quality raw materials with reasonable prices. Low quality materials from suppliers are actually a waste of money.

Efficiency of production line is another important thing to consider. When introducing a production line, it is important to consult an ergonomics specialist and see that it’s user-friendly and will not cause too much physical stress and strain. Meanwhile, workers should get full-trained to work more efficiently on the line.

Measures should also be taken to eliminate waste. On top of that, management should develop good benefits system to boost the morale of the workers.

PART THREE: Discussion

Introducing Shift Work

Your company would like to introduce shift work operation to optimize the production process. You have been asked to help co-ordinate the project. Discuss the situation together, and decide:

●how to arrange the work schedule

●how to match staff to this new work requirement

实行倒班作业制

你们公司正在考虑实行倒班作业制以优化生产过程。请你们协助策划这一计划。讨论并决定：

●怎样安排工作时间表

●怎样使工人达到这一新的工作要求

A：When introducing shift work, the most important thing is to work out good work schedules. I think we can divide our twenty-four hour operation into three shifts: day shift, even ing shift and night shift. And we’ll have the permanent schedule. It’s tough to work at night, but once you get used to it, it’s easier to fight off the night-time fatigue.

B: Well, I partly agree with you. I mean “ the three shifts” is a good idea, but I think it would be better if we adopt the rotating schedule. You see, shift-work disrupt s the body rhythm and is very stressful. Besides, it affects home life, the night shift worker is out of step with his family.

A: That’s the problem. Night shifts really affect our health conditions. So you’re right, the rotating schedule has more

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advantages over the fixed schedule.

B: All right. So we’ll adopt the rotating schedule, three shifts and the day shift is from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with a lunch-break. And evening shift, 5:00 pm to 1:00 am including coffee breaks, and then…

A: And night shift from 1:00 am to 8:00 am, also with a coffee break.

B: Right. We should also provide our shift workers with training programmes to help them better adjust to this new work requirement. We should inform them of the harmful effects of night shifts and give them tips on how to prevent and fight off these hazards.

A: Yes. We can arrange health specialists to give them training courses and provide online consultancy service for the convenience of our shift workers. And I think we should also provide psychological consultancy just in case they get too stressed. We need to help them to cope with night shift blues.

B: Good. It’s also important to provide some nutritious food during the e vening and night shifts.

Follow-up questions

（1）What benefits will your company gain from shift work operation?

你公司可从倒班制中获得什么好处？

If we keep our equipment operating round the clock, we’ll be able to use our productive equipment to its fullest potential, that would help to optimize the production process. You see, improved productivity translates directly to higher profits.

（2）How important is it to inform workers of the hazards of night shift?

把夜班的害处告知工人有何重要性？

It’s certainly of great importance. Employees’ well-being and security should be the first priority of the management. When shift workers are fully aware of the hazards, they will take better care of themselves.

（3）Do you think companies should provide health counseling facilities?(Why?/Why not?)

你认为公司应该提供健康咨询设备么？

In my opinion, it’s a must in this highly competitive age. Employees often become stressful and develop health problems. Management should provide health counseling facilities to help improve the physical and mental health of the staff and boost their morale.

（4）Should work environment be taken into consideration when designing shift work?(Why?/ Why not?)

设计倒班制时是否应该考虑工作环境？

Poor working conditions add to the strain of shift work. Adequate lighting, clean air, proper heat, air-conditioning and reduced nois e will help to reduce the shiftworker’s burden.

（5）Is regular exercise important for shift workers?(Why?/Why not?)

经常运动会倒班工人是否重要？

Physical exercises are extremely important for night shift workers. Jogging, walking, cycling or swimming will help them to relax and to minimize stress. You see, shift work disrupts the body rhythm and is very harmful to your health.

1.4 Reducing Overheads

减少管理费用

Activity 经营项目

Research and development 研发Property costs 财产耗费、物业费用Capital goods 资本货物

Balance sheet 资产负债表Redundancy payment 失业金

In the short term 短期内

Devastating 毁灭性的，破坏性的

Insecure 不可靠的，不安全的

Redundancy 失业、多余

Drastic 激烈的，猛烈地，彻底的

Temporary measure 权宜之计

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Let out 出租

Premises (复数)经营场地，生产场地，办公场所Mortgage 抵押

Sublet 转租，分租

Hotel bill 旅馆住宿费用

Public transportation fares 公交费用Expenses claims system 报销制度

Abuse 滥用，妄用

Malpractice 失职行为，玩忽职守

Discount air ticket 打折机票

Electric rates 电费

Apportion 分摊，分配

Over-expenditure 超支

Office supplies 办公用品

Stationery 文具

Paper clip 回形针，曲别针

Name-brand 知名品牌Generic brand 普通品牌

Group purchasing 团购

Bulk price 批发价

Mail-order 邮购

Rough draft 草稿

Put in a word 说一句话，插一句话Disposable 一次性用品

Printer cartridge 打印机墨盒Rechargeable battery 可充电电池Comply with 遵守

Profitability 盈利能力，获利能力

In the long run 从长远来看Diversify 使多样化，做多样性的投资Might as well do sth. 不妨做… …Abide by 遵守

Paperless office 无纸化办公

Reducing overheads

减少管理费用

It’s a good idea to review overheads regularly.

定期检查管理费用是一个很好的办法。

It becomes even more important if you are having problems generating cash.

如果你面临现金产出困难，这个办法就更加重要了。

You may need to make big cuts in overheads, but try to avoid slashing costs to a level where it is difficult to operate. 你可能需要大量削减管理费用，但要避免削减规模过大而导致无法操作。

Advertising, as well as research and development, are often the first activities to be cut because they can be reduced almost instantly.

广告费用和研发费用往往是首先被削减的项目，原因是削减这些项目的费用当即可行。

Cutting overheads such as property costs or capital goods will take much longer to have an effect on the balance sheet.

而要削减财产耗费和资本货物的费用，则需要更长的时间才能在资产负债表上有所体现。

You can also cut staff costs by reducing your number of employees, though redundancy payments will increase costs in the short term.

你也可以通过裁员来削减员工费用，虽然支付失业费在短期内会增加开支，但这样做的结果可能十分糟糕。

The consequences can be devastating, particularly for small businesses and morale suffers after redundancies.

但这样做的结果可能十分糟糕，特别是对于中小企业来说，解聘雇员会导致员工士气低落。

Key employees may feel insecure and choose to leave your business.

一些主要员工可能会因为没有安全感而选择离开公司。

It can be useful to talk to employees before taking such action.

采取这种行动之前和员工进行交流会有所帮助。

They may suggest less drastic ways of cutting costs.

他们可能会提出一些更温和的建议措施以避免采取如此极端的方式来削减开支。

You can also reduce overheads, for example by delaying purchases of new equipment, although this is a temporary measure.

你也可以采用诸如推迟购置新设备的方法来削减办公费用，虽然这只是权宜之计。

Investment is crucial if you want to grow your business and ensure it remains competitive.

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如果你想拓展公司规模，保证其竞争力，投资是至关重要的。

Other short-term measures for cutting costs include:

其他削减开支的短期措施包括：

●Letting out part of your business premises but check first with the owner or mortgage company that sub-letting is

allowed—approval may be needed.

出租公司的部分场所，但事先要与其拥有者或抵押贷款公司核实你有权转租，并得到他们的准许。

●Leasing new equipment rather than buying it outright

租用新设备而无需全部自己购买

●Renegotiating your contracts with suppliers

和供应商重新议定合同

PART ONE Interview

（1）What expense do people typically incur on a business trip?

商务差旅中有哪些主要费用？

Expenses on a business trip include hotel bills, traveling expenses, public transportation fares, fax or telephone charges and client entertainment expenses, etc.

（2）How should companies control business travel expenses?

公司应怎样控制其商务差旅费用？

Companies should develop a sound expenses claims system to prevent any system abuse and possible malpractice.(系统滥用和可能的舞弊行为)

（3）Do you think it’s necessary to have control over the usage of electricity?(Why?/Why not?)

你是否认为控制电力使用很重要？（为什么？）

Yes. Electricity costs are a very important component of overheads, if a company can keep electric rates low, it will certainly be very helpful in overheads reduction.

（4）Is it important to involve employees in overheads reduction project?(Why?)

让员工参与办公费用削减计划是否重要？（为什么？）

Yes. Overheads are the indirect cost of business, they are closely related to the welfare of all staff members, so concerted efforts are needed from both managers and staff to implement the overheads reduction project.

PART TWO: Mini-presentation

What’s important when…?

Aiming to slash business overheads 要削减管理费用需要考虑哪些要点？

●Budget and management 预算和管理

●Long-term effects 长期效果

First of all ,business overhead expenditure needs to be budgeted and apportioned as fairly as possible to different departments of the business. Once we have set a clear budget plan, we’ll be able to manage the overheads costs by limiting budget spending and improving overhead productivity. And in case an over-expenditure occurs, we’ll be able to track the cause and check it in time.

Meanwhile, long-term effects should also be considered. In reducing overheads costs, we should not aim to seek instant success, we should put our overheads reduction plan in a greater perspective and evaluate their overall effects. Reduction measures should enable the company to tap its potential productivity and ensure its future development.

In addition to that, we also need to involve our staff member into the overheads reduction project, and try to see if

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they have anything to contribute to it.

PART THREE: Discussion

Introducing new ways to save on office supplies

The company you work for has decided to introduce new ways to save on office supplies, as a part of the overheads reduction plan. You have been asked to make suggestions about it. Discuss the situation together, and decide:

●what are the ways to save office expenses

●how to motivate the staff

实行节省办公用品的新方法

作为削减管理费用计划的一部分，你们公司正在考虑实行节省办公用品的新方法。请你们协助策划这一计划。讨论并决定：

●节省办公开支有哪些方法

●怎样激发员工的热情

A: To keep office expenses down, we can start from office stationery. Items like pens, paper, paper clip s, and pencils do not cost a lot individually, but we use them in large quantities, so there is potential for huge savings.

B: I’m with you here. You see, there is a great difference in price between the name-brand and generic brand stationery, so if we look for cheaper sources, we’ll end up saving hundreds of pounds a year.

A: Yes, cheaper sources are important, we can get much cheaper prices on office suppliers through group purchasing. If we pool our orders with other businesses, we can buy in large quantity and receive lower bulk prices. B: Indeed. We can also use mail-order. Mail-order office supply companies are convenient because they deliver to your door, and it saves both gas and time.

A: We should also encourage staff to recycle used paper, and ask our staff to edit on the screen as much as possible, print one final rough draft to proofread on paper. That’s a very effective way to reduce paper consumption.

B: And buying used office furniture is also an important way of cutting overheads. But to motivate our staff members, there should be measures to monitor their performance regularly. We can…

A: I’d like to put in a word here, never use disposables in the office, use recycled printer cartridges and recharge able batteries.

B: Yes, that’s especially important. We should involve all office staff into our cost saving plan. For example, we should ask staff members to turn off the air-conditioner half an hour before they leave the office, so as to cut some electricity bills.

A: You’re right. To make sure that our staff voluntarily comply with the overheads expenditure reduction rules, we can include that in our staff appraisals. I mean whether staff members are supportive in our overheads reduction project. B: I agree. And we can also award those who are most supportive in our project.

A: That’s good.

Follow-up questions

（1）How important is it for companies to keep overheads down? 公司削减管理开支有何重要意义？

Keeping costs under control and overheads down is a priority for all organizations, because overheads costs are directly related to the company’s profitability and welfare of the staff members.

（2）Is it a good idea to cut investment to reduce overheads?用减少投资的办法来削减管理费用好么？（为什么？）No. cutting investment to reduce costs is a short-term measure. In the long run, it is unfavourable to company development, as limited scale and productivity weakens a company’s competitive edge.

（3）Might there be some measures that would not be effective?有些措施是否可能无效？（为什么？）

Yes. If you set a very low limit on telephone bills, employees might fail to maintain regular contact with their clients or

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customers for fear of over-expenses.

（4）What do you think the manager should do in overheads cutting project?

在削减管理开支计划中，经理应该做些什么？

I think the manager is responsible for budgeting overheads and carefully tracking the costs, minimizing expenditure at all time. He should also see to it that staff members abide by the rules as required.

（5）What new ideas do you have to keep overheads costs down in a company?

关于削减公司的管理费用，你有什么新的想法？

Companies can make use of the internet, conducting routine office work through digital media. We can convert every single paper process into a digital one, the so-ca lled “paperless office”. It lowers overheads very effectively.

1.5 How to Deal with a Heavy Workload 如何应对繁重的工作

Perks 额外津贴，补贴（为perquisites 的随略形式）Nicety 精美之物

High blood pressure 高血压

Ulcer 溃疡

Health care benefits 医保福利

Campus 场地校园

Coffee break 工间休息

Soda 汽水，冰欺凌苏打

Pastry 糕点

Eldercare program 老年保健计划

Locate nursing care facilities 查找老年护理设施，老年护理机构

Aging parents 年事越来越高的双亲

Exercise physiologist 运动生理学家

Wellness 健康，处于好的身体与精神状况之中（尤指通过适当的饮食、锻炼及良好的习惯而达到的健康状况）Turnover rate 员工流动率

Norm 标准，规范

Low spirits 情绪低落

Paperwork 文书工作

Meet deadline 赶期限

Be susceptible to 易感染….疾病，易受….影响Tactical 战术上的，善于筹划的Stamina 耐力，毅力，持久力

Dexterity 灵巧，机敏

Athletic ability 运动才能

Locate a contract 得到一份合同

Work through lunch 不吃午饭继续工作

Downshift （汽车等）条低速档，放慢速度

Have easy access to 可方便地使用…

Burnout 耗尽体力

Benefit system 福利制度

Nutritious refreshment 富含营养的食物和饮料Childcare vouchers 托儿券

Retail voucher 购物券

Annual leave 年假

Take up a hobby 培养一种业余爱好

Get off the treadmill 摆脱单调乏味的工作

Joy Gang 搞笑人员（专门提供以讲笑话或滑稽表演等方式让工作人员放松的服务）

Flexible working 弹性工作制

Flexitime 弹性工作（上班）时间，亦作flextime Homeworking 在家中上班（尤指利用家中电脑终端与中心办公室通讯，或在离家不远的卫星办公室上班。亦作flexplace,flexplace或flex-place

Pay-back 回报，收益

Perks and Fitness: No Longer a Nicety but a Necessity

增加津贴，促进健康，并非锦上添花，而是必不可少

Managers know that stress is a barrier to motivating the workforce.

管理者们知道，压力不利于激励员工的士气。

They also recognize that stress can result in stress-related illnesses, such as high blood pressure, ulcers, and fatigue.

他们也意识到，压力会导致相关疾病，如高血压、溃疡病和疲劳症。

These illnesses translate into higher benefits costs for the company as employees more frequently use health care benefits.

这些疾病转而成为公司更高的福利费用支出，因为员工会更加频繁地使用医疗服务。

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A number of companies use nontraditional benefits and perks to help employees cope with stress.

一些公司采用与以往不同的福利措施和额外补贴来帮助员工解决工作压力。

At each of its 20 buildings at its 200-acre campus in Raleigh, North Carolina, SAS Institute provides coffee break rooms stocked with free soda, fresh fruit, M&Ms and pastries.

案件软件研究所位于北卡罗来纳州首府罗利市，它占地200英亩，有20栋楼。公司在每一栋楼里都设有咖啡屋，免费提供汽水、新鲜水果、巧克力和点心。

SAS employs a full-time ergonomics specialist to select office furniture that will reduce physical stress and strain.

腮赛仕软件研究所还聘请了一位全职生物工程专家，帮助公司挑选能够减轻对身体造成压力和损伤的办公家具。

SAS provides a free health clinic as well as an eldercare program that helps employees locate nursing care facilities for aging parents.

该公司还提供免费医务室和养老计划，帮助员工为年迈的双亲安排敬老服务。

Many companies provide benefits that help employees cope with the stresses and demands of balancing work and nonwork.

许多公司则提供一些福利计划以帮助员工克服压力并兼顾工作内外。

Cigna Insurance Company offers employees the option of placing take-out meal orders with the company chef.

信诺保险公司为员工提供了公司家庭订餐服务，

Employees who don’t have the energy to prepare meals after a long or difficult workday can take home a prepared meal.

劳累了一天已经没有精力再准备晚餐的员工下班时，可以带着公司大厨烹制好的晚饭回家。

The company also offers an exercise physiologist to help employees suffering from stress.

公司还有运动生理学家专门为深受压力困扰的员工提供帮助。

Companies are also offering wellness and exercise programs to help employees alleviate stress and enhance their health at the same time.

有些公司还提供康复和健身计划来帮助员工减缓压力、增进健康。

Coca-Cola found that employees who participated in wellness and exercise programs used fewer sick days and tended to be more productive on their jobs.

可口可乐公司发现参加康复和健身计划的员工请病休假的时间减少了，而且工作效率得到了很大提高。

Are companies providing these services to look good to the community or because they are financially successful? 公司提供这些服务时为了向社会作秀，还是因为他们财大气粗呢？

Not really. It is shrewd business operations.

这些都是精明的公司运作策略。

For example, it is estimated that SAS turnover rate is 4 percent compared to the industry norm of more than 20 percent per year.

例如，据估计，赛仕软件研究所的员工流失率为每年4%，而同行业的员工流失率一般高达20%。

While the free health clinic costs $1 million to operate, it is $500 000 less than the costs the company would realize if employees were treated elsewhere.

虽然免费医务室的运营需要100万美元，但公司的总支出要比员工到其他医院就诊减少了50万美元。

PART ONE : Interview

（1）Do you ever feel overworked?(Why?/Why not?) 你是否曾感到工作过于疲劳？（为什么？）

Yes. Sometimes I am really overwhelmed with the heavy workload and feel tired and fatigued. As a secretary in the company, I have so much paperwork to do and often have to rush to meet tight deadlines. And I never seem to have time to take a holiday.

（2）What problems do staff usually have when they are under the burden of a heavy workload?

如果员工的工作量过大，会产生什么问题？

When they are under the burden of a heavy workload, employees will often feel frustrated or depressed. This would

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result in stress-related illnesses, such as high blood pressure and fatigue. Employees will be in very low morale and give very poor performance in their work.

（3）Do you think companies should provide sports facilities for their staff?(Why?)

你认为公司是否应该为其员工提供运动设施？（为什么？）

Yes. I think it’s wise for companies to provide sports facilities for their staff. Employees can make the best use of these facilities to keep fit, so they can have better performance in their work. It’s very rewarding.

（4）What types of sports do you like watching or playing?(Why?)

你喜欢观看并参与什么样的体育运动？（为什么？）

My favorite sport is table tennis. It’s a moderate exercise, but it requires great skills both tactical and technical. You have to have speed, stamina, dexterity, shrewdness and quickness in decision-making. (速度，耐力，灵巧，精明和快速决策) It’s the most popular sports game in China I think.

PART TWO: Mini-presentation

What’s important when…?

Coping with a heavy workload 应对繁重的工作需要考虑哪些要点？

●Benefits system 福利制度

●Time management 时间管理

●

In the face of a heavy workload, I think companies can introduce more benefits programmes. They can offer wellness and exercise programme, and provide exercise facilities to enhance employees’ health. They can also introduce more flexible benefits programmes like childcare and nursing care for aging parents, etc. so that employees can balance work and nonwork.

Time management is also important. Companies can provide training programs to help employees better manage their time. In this way, employees will become more organized and feel more at ease with their routine work.

Apart from these, companies should also care about the employees’ mental health. They can provide psychological consultancy advice, so that employees can better adjust themselves to their work pressure.

PART THREE Discussion

Addressing the Problem of Overwork

Your manager has noticed the signs that employees in your company are overburdened with heavy workloads. You have been asked to make suggestions about how to improve this situation. Discuss the situation together, and decide:

●what signs of overwork do the staff show

●what measures should be taken to reduce stress at work

解决工作过劳的问题

你们的经理已经注意到了公司员工工作过劳的种种迹象。请你们提出改进这一情况的建议。讨论并决定：

●员工表现出哪些过劳症状

●应采取什么措施来减少工作压力

A：Well, I think employees in our company are overburdened though they do not tell you how they feel. But most of them show signs like consistently working late, working through lunch, coming to work even when ill, bringing work home, rushing to meet very tight deadlines and signs like…er…

B: Like expressing frustration, feeling guilty when they leave work on time and not taking holidays.

A: Yes. You’re quite right.

B: This situation has to be improved. You know, the consequences of this overload can be stress, burnout, and illness. For the company, it can result in high turnover and poor performance.

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A: So it’s time we should get started with some downshifting plans to help o ur staff relax and get over stress from work.

B: I think we can provide some flexible benefits to help employees balance their personal life and work. For example, we can offer childcare vouchers, retail vouchers, critical illness insurance and any…er, wel l, I mean annual leave. A: We should also provide some sports facilities and organize sports activit ies to enhance employees’ health.

B: That’s a good idea. We can also provide coffee rooms and nutritious refreshments, so that our staff can relax themselves there during the break.

A: I quite agree with you . and encouraging staff to take up a hobby is another way to get off the treadmill.

B：Yes, recently, some other companies have organized “Joy Gang”, to generate workplace fun. You see, laughter is the best medicine for those who are in low spirits. And it help to boost the morale of our staff.

Follow –up questions

（1）What facilities should companies provide in workplace to alleviate stress at work?

公司应该在工作场所提供什么设施来减轻员工的工作压力？

Company can provide childcare facilities, eldercare facilities or transportation facilities to help employees cope with these responsibilities, in this way, employees don’t have to worry too much about these things, so they can take things easy.

（2）How important is it for employees to have time outside work?

员工在工作之余拥有闲暇时间有何重要性？

It’s very important. You see, if they have more time outside work, they can relax, do physical exercises, take up hobbies, travel, etc. they will feel less stressed and happier both at work and at home.

（3）What other options are available to balance employees’ work and life?

还有什么其它方法可以平衡员工的工作和生活？

Companies can introduce flexible working, or flextime or homeworking so that there’s less conflict between work and home life.

（4）Do you think time management helps to reduce stress at work?(Why?)

你认为时间管理可以减轻工作压力么？（为什么？）

Certainly. If you can manage your time well, you can work more efficiently, and find more time to refresh yourself and you can retain a healthy balance between work and life.

（5）What are the major pay-backs of reducing stress of the overworked staff?

减轻员工的工作压力有什么主要益处？

It’s highly rewarding. It will benefit both the company and the employees. It helps employees to live a happier life and it also helps to boost their morale and enhance employee commitment to the company.

1.6 Work Environment工作环境

Work environment 工作环境，亦作working environment

Determinant 决定因素

European Community 欧洲共同体（欧盟（European Union）的前身）

ECU 欧洲货币单位（European Currency Unit 欧元（Euro-dollar 的前身）

Occupational disease 职业疾病

Industrial injury 工伤Underestimate 低估，过低估计Incidence 发生，出现的行为或事件Disablement benefit 伤残救济金Dermatitis 皮炎

Extrapolation 推断

Drudgery 辛苦乏味的工作，苦工Obligation 义务，职责，责任

Take precaution 采取防范措施

Ensure worker comfort 保证工人的舒适度

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