Business Management

Dialogue 1

-It seems there are a growing number of new companies in the field of computers who are headed by very young people.Many of them are only in their twenties and already heading up highly successful companies.

-That's true and I think you'll find their style of management to be very different from the traditional type of leadership.

-I think they are more involes in their companies.They run them as they would run a family.I believe they are more interested in their business and what it will be able to achieve for the good of the world.They don't seem to be as interested in the business as just a way to become rich as their older counterparts are.

-Can you give me some example of their different leadership style?

-Sure,how about this:young bosses sometimes let their employees bring their children to work,even their pets?Many times they make decisions on the basis of what will be best for their employees instead of what is best for the business.

-I guess young people are more idealistic,so when they have the drive and talent to start a business of their won,they also feel free to mamage the business in ways that they believe are ethical and moral.

-Do you think these young businessmen and businesswomen are more ethical and moral than business owners and managers in past generations?

-Yes,I really do.I think businesses in the past haven't been concerned about their employees'personal needs.I think young owners have heard their parents complain about their working situations as they were growing up.Now that they can do things the way they want,they want to change things for the better.

-Right now these young businessmen and businesswomen are making a lot of money,so it is easy for them to demonstrate their lofty ideals.Do you think they will remain true to those ideals during economic hard times?

-I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Dialogue 2

-What do you think about our new CEO,Matt?

-He certainly comes with great credentials.I think he is just the man to get this company off and running.

-The company he left in order to take this job probably regrets losing him.

-I'm sure they do.He was the one who was supposed to assume the leadership of the company when the current president retires.

-Do you know why he left that company?

-Some people said he was impatient to become the CEO.Others said it was because he didn't have enough say in the company.

-I've heard he had a lot of incentive to join our company.There is a rumor that he was given a million dollars as a bonus and an annual salary of a million dollars.

-Yes,and he also will have an 18% share of any increase in the value of the company.

-If the company does as well as many new high-tech companies have done recently,that could mean a lot of money in his pocket.

-That's true.Our company hasn't started issuing stock yet.I feel certain with his leadership the stock will increase in value rapidly when it does go public.

-That's how it's been with other companies like ours.I hope ours will be the same.

Dialogue 3

-I read that your company is downsizing again.What will that mean for your job?

-It means I'm out of a job.They have already given me a "pink slip".

-That's bad news.This has happened to you before,hasn't it?

-Yes.This will be the third time in five years and I'm ready to call it quits.

-What do you mean?You're going to quit working?

-No,I'll still be working,but not for a company .I'm going to be my own boss.

-Doesn't that make you a little nervous?You won't have all the benefits that go with working for a company-no retire and no health insurance.

-That is the bad part of it,but I am really tired of being dependent on the whims of big business.It seems that it hasn't been all that secure for me.

-What will you do?

-I've had a couple of friends who have gone out on their own.They say it is the best thing that ever happened to them.

-I know it is the secret dream of a lot of people to be their own boss,especially the younger generation.

-One of my friends just takes temporary jobs.Companies are looking for people with his skills,but only on a temporary basis.So he goes for one company to another,depending on where they need him.He's able to set his own working hours and he makes a lot more than he was when he was working full time.He really likes the freedom he enjoys.

-What does he do when he doesn't hae any jobs coming in?

-He goes to a temporary employment agency.It seems he always finds work and doubles what he used to make.

-I hope you find just the right thing for your skills.It would be nice to have a job that gave you more freedom.

-That's why I'm making the change.I want to be able to spend the extra time with my family and it will be great to be working at my home instead of going to the office every day.

-Good luck!With your attitude and ability,I'm sure you'll do well.

Dialogue 4

Chairman of the Bord of Directors of Company A:

Every company that is ambitious wants to dominate its industry,and therefore become very large.At the same time,every chairman and CEO is worried about size and lack of speed in reaction,bureaucracy,arrogance,and complacency.As a result,all companies want the power of size and the entrepreneurial spirit and motivation of a small company.

President of Company B:

If you're big,you're in a more competitive position,but your management must be capable of handling the complexities that size brings.If your management is ineffective,a major opportunity may instead become a major problem.

CEO of Company C:

It's not a question of numbers.Whether a company is 20 or 20,000 strong is irrelevant.What is important is that manager understands what is going on in the business and provides appropriate leadership and that employees are empowered and connected.

Managing Director of Company D:

Companies growing very large do face significant risk.For example,an organization can get so big that it would spend too much time talking to itself and insufficient time communicating with its customers.

General Manager of Company E:

The markets we are dealing with are becoming larger and more globalized ,and these trends will continue.If increasing scale starts to lead to diminishing returns,then shareholders are likely to vote with their feet.

Financial controller of Company F:

A company can only be too big for its leadership.While there are many large companies that continue to grow successfull,some seem to take a step too far and lose their sense of direction.

Vice President for International Operations of Company H:

We have to be wherever our clients are or want to be.That's why size is vital for a professional services firm like ours.

Executive Director of Company J:

History has proved that big companies can easily be managed so long as the top team is inspiring a constant change process throughout the organization,monitoring the key performance ratios in the individual businesses on regular basis,and taking swift and efective action when necessary.

Chiep Economist of Company K:

It's human nature that we are dissatisfied with the status and always look forward to something different."Big is better" was replaced by "small is better".It seems as if we are back in the "big is better" stage,but the fashion will change.