Task 4. Look up today's newspapers, prepare and report on any financial story that you have read about. Pick out any short news report on companies and profit / loss situation. Check current interest rates. What contracts have been won, by whom and for what? Concentrate on facts and figures.

Case study

                                Financial News

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Task 3. Read the text and answer the questions. Newsreader: 1. Anglia Telecom has ordered another 85 million pounds worth of digital exchange equipment as part of its 2.4 billion pounds modernization program. Most of the order is System Z equipment. This is good news for Masseys, the manufacturers of System Z. Their shares were up 10 to 365.

2. The Dollar made an unexpected recovery today, climbing four and a half cents against the Pound. Dealers in Europe found it difficult to explain the strength of the Dollar in view of the trade figures published earlier in the week. Meanwhile in Japan, news of a fall in the number of exports last month meant that the value of the Yen was at its lowest point for three months.

3. National Cash Card, one of the main credit card companies in the UK has announced a rise in its monthly interest rate from 1.75 to 1.95 % from the end of this month. This represents an annual rate on the card of 25.3 %. The increase has been criticized by consumer organizations who say that the cost of borrowing is already too high.

4. Sun Data published their six month results this afternoon. The British minicomputer company made a loss of 10.3 million pounds in the first half of the year compared with a profit of 12.5 million for the previous six months. The company blames a decline in orders and the takeover last year of Computex – the British world processor supplier.

5. Visits to the UK by high spending North Americans are increasing again, according to new travel and tourism figures from the British Tourist Authority. Two million overseas visitors came to Britain in July – 7 % more than in June. They included 440,000 North Americans, up 3 % after two months of heavy falls. Total spending by all overseas visitors in July was 745 million. The British Tourist Authority is again predicting a record year of tourism.

6. Finally, it looks as though the bad weather this summer has brought benefits to cinema owners this year. Metropolitan, the largest cinema chain in the country, has announced a profit increase of 15 % for the last three months; they explain that the record rainfall has encouraged people to go to the cinema in ever-increasing numbers. So it really is true that "every cloud has a silver lining".

1. Complete the information below with the figures.

a) Value of digital exchange equipment ordered: … .

b) Cost of modernization program: … a year.

c) Value of Massey's shares: … .

2. Did the Dollar go up or down?

3. How much did it change against the Pound?

4. Were the US figures good or bad?

5. Did the Yen and the value of exports from Japan go up or down?

6. Complete the information below with the figures.

a) Old monthly interest rate of the UK National Cash Card: … %.

b) New monthly interest rate of the UK National Cash Card: … %.

c) New annual interest rate of the UK National Cash Card: … %.

7. Complete the sentences below, choosing from these items:

Year – This year / Last year;

Period – January to June / July to December;

Results – Profit / Lost;

Amount – 10.3 million pounds / 12.5 million pounds.

During the period … to … of … year Sun Data results showed a … of … .

This compares with a … of … for the period … to … of … year.

8. Complete the information below with the figures.

a) Number of overseas visitors to Britain in July: … .

b) Number of North American visitors to Britain in July: … .

c) Total spending of overseas visitors in July: … .

9. Underline the correct word or phrase to complete this report.

Metropolitan, the largest theatre/cinema/supermarket chain in the country has announced a profit increase / profit decrease / loss of 15 % / 50 % / 60 % the past 3/6/12 months. The reason they give is the record rainfall this year/ spring/summer.

10. What are the key words of each of the items?

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Task 2. Match each stage in the sales process with explanation below.

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Task 2. Try to reason your choice of the future specialty. Record a video or audio of your presentation and attach the file in the format below.

Tasks are accepted file formats: .pdf, .jpg, .doc.

Task 3. Match the word combinations from Task 2 with words below.

1. syringe
2. TV set
3. bread
4. washing powder that is not harmful to the environment
5. ink for printer
6. car
7. washing machine
8. toilet paper

Task 2. Make word combinations with goods and products using the words from the box.

Tasks are accepted file formats: .pdf, .jpg, .doc.

Tasks are accepted file formats: .pdf, .jpg, .doc.

Task 1. Read the notes on marketing research techniques, translate them paying special attention to the marked words.

Focus group: small group from the target group plus moderator to mediate or run the session. The moderator prepares questions for the session.

Package test: used to taste ideas for new packaging, could be in focus group.

Taste test: used to taste what consumer think about new flavors.

Home test: consumers try the product at home, in a real situation.

A self-administrated questionnaire is completed (or filled in) by the respondent, and an interviewer-administrator questionnaire is filled in on behalf of the respondent by an interviewer.

Telephone surveys are carried out by telephoning the respondent and asking questions.

A mail survey is mailed to the respondent, who completes it and posts it back.

Online surveys are administrated on the internet.

Mystery shopping: a person poses as a consumer and checks the level of service and hygiene in a restaurant, hotel or shop.

Omnibus surveys: a market research institute carries out (or conducts) research for several companies at the same time. A long survey is given to respondents: some institutes have a panel of existing respondents who are accustomed to answering the survey.

Task 2. A small educational games company is launching a new game to teach English vocabulary to beginner learners. The marketing manager is making a presentation using slides. Read it and prepare these slides.

Marketing a new product

Tasks are accepted file formats: .pdf, .jpg, .doc.

Unemployment means but there are people looking … a job but are unable to find work at the going wage.

Cyclical unemployment follows …  cycles of the economy.