Text 2. WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN A BUSINESS

Most of us fantasize at one time or another about starting our own business, but few of us have the courage to make it happen. The prospect of going into business for ourselves, while appealing, is a risk few of us are willing to take.

But times have changed. More people than ever before are leaving their 6-figure salary jobs and starting their own businesses. In fact, experts estimate that some 1.500 new businesses are launched every day and that by 2000 70 percent of all businesses will be entrepreneurial.

Choosing the business that's right for you is probably the most important business decision you'll ever make. Maybe you already have a great idea for a product or service. Or perhaps you're still exploring some ideas. In either case, before you launch your business you'll need to assess your strengths and weaknesses, your likes and dislikes.

It may help to make a list of what you like and dislike. You'll also want to consider your non-tangible attributes, such as stamina, determination and resourcefulness. These qualities alone may be the determining factor of whether your business succeeds or fails.

Experts agree that two of the most important qualities an entrepreneur should possess are tenacity and perseverance. Getting a business off the ground can be extremely frustrating, and if you're the type who gives up easily, chances are you won't make it as an entrepreneur.

As a business owner you also must have the stamina and self-discipline to work long hours, the willingness to take risks and the confidence to make decisions. These traits will go a long way in helping your business thrive and flourish.

Don't worry if it takes you a while to determine what kind of business you want. It's much better to take your time and thoroughly investigate your options than rush into something. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs have spent time researching the market before finding their niche.

Special training or education is not required to start a business. Only one-fifth of new business owners have college degrees and more than one-third have never taken a business course.

Much of the knowledge you'll need to run a business can be learned through books, seminars and workshops. You may also want to consider taking a few business or marking courses through your local university or community college.

One of the best ways to learn about business is by talking to as many entrepreneurs as you can. Join a professional organisation in your area that is geared to your particular industry.

In addition, there are several organisations that can provide assistance. Contact your local Small Business Administration office or the Service Corps of Retired Executives. Both groups can provide professional advice and counselling and help you get your business off the ground. You may also want to consider hiring a business consultant to help you build a solid business plan.

One of the most important factors you'll need to consider before starting a business is your financial resources. If you are the sole provider for your family and have little savings stashed away, this may not be the time to give up a steady source of income.

Studies show that more businesses fail because of under financing and poor management than for any other reason. That's why experts say you should have enough saving put aside to support you for at least a year before you have to dip into your new business for income.

If you're having trouble raising the capital needed to launch your business, try the Small Business Association. The organisation often makes small-business loans to start-up companies or at least will refer you to the institutions that will. You may also want to consider obtaining independent investors or taking out a home equity loan.

Starting a new business not only demands a lot of hard work, but also requires financial and emotional sacrifice. Be prepared to give up vacations, weekends and evenings and to spend less time with friends and family. Entrepreneurship is not without drawbacks, and many people discover (often too late) that they are not cut out to run a business.

Harvey Mackay, the best selling author of " Sharkproof: Get The Job You Want. Keep The Job You Love In Today's Frenzied Market " (Harper Collins), offers these suggestions for anyone considering a business venture.

· Think small. Keep your overheads low by starting your business from home. Purchase only the essentials. Hold on to your day job as long as possible or at least until your business has started to take off.

· Get advice. Talk to other entrepreneurs. Find out how they got started, how much money it took and what they would do differently. Put together an advisory team that you can turn to for help.

· Adapt to change. In business, anything can happen. Be prepared for the unexpected.

· Draft a business plan. Analyze your market and study your competition. Determine who your potential clients will be and make sure there is sufficient demand for your product or service. Set goals for your company and review them periodically to see if you're meeting your expectations.

· Depend on yourself. Whether your business succeeds or fails depends on you alone. Make sure you have the temperament to work harder than you've ever worked in your life.

 

Задание 2.1. Дайте письменно эквиваленты выделенным в тексте словам.

Задание 2.2. Ответьте письменно на вопросы:

1. What things should be done to start your own business?

2. Can you prove that the following qualities are essential (or not needed) for a businessman: stamina, determination, resourcefulness, tenacity, self-discipline, willingness to take risks, confidence?

3. What recommendations would you give to those who would like to start their own business?

Задание 3. Переведите предложения письменно на русский язык, обращая внимание на согласование времен.

1. He said he had forgotten the code.

2. She said she had been trying to get through.

3. She said they would never agree.

4. She said that Martin had sent them the invoice.

5. She said that she should go.

7. He asked me how much it had cost.

8. They asked how many people would attend the confenence.

9. She advised her colleague to keep quiet.

10. He warned me not to sell my shares yet.

11. She wondered if I had received a message.

 

Задание 4. Переведите предложения письменно в косвенную речь.

1. Tom said, ‘If I were you, I’d wear a new tie for the interview.'

2. 'We've decided to spend our holidays in Jordan,' they told us.

3. Jill said, ‘I'll go to the bank tomorrow.’

4. Keith said, 'There is a letter for you on the table.'

5. 'They delivered the letters this morning,' she said.

6. He said, ‘Don’t forget to type the letter to Mr Brown.’

7. Jane said, 'I haven't finished my homework yet.'

8. 'My mother is coming to visit us,' I said.

9. She told me, 'You must leave early tomorrow.’

10. She said to him, ‘Send the report just now, please.’

 

Задание 5. Употребите правильную форму глагола в условных предложениях.

1. It rained all day. If the weather (not be) so bad we (go out).

2. We expect Mary to be here soon. If she (not arrive), we (phone) her.

3. I sleep badly. If I (not get) enough sleep I (not get) much work done.

4. We went to Paris. If we (not go) to Paris, we (not have) such a good time.

5. My brother doesn't do any work. If he (work) harder, he (pass) his exams.

6. Jane and John like each other. If he (ask) her to dance, she (say) yes.

7. This is an old computer. If you (not press) 'Save' you (lose) your work.

8. I did German at school. If I (do) English, I (get) a better job?

9. There's a bus. If we (get on) that one, we (arrive) in time.

10. I can't see a bus. But even if we (catch) a bus now, we (be) late.

 

Задание 6. Переведите письменно на английский, употребив правильную форму глагола в условных предложениях.

1. Мы сумеем купить машину при условии, что они не поднимут цены.

2. Если бы я знал в то время, что процент так высок, я не брал бы кредита.

3. Если бы я мог, я бы поехал в Европу этим летом. Но у меня слишком много работы.

4. Позвони мне, как только узнаешь результаты экзаменов.

5. Ты узнал бы его, если бы встретил его сейчас?

6. Вы должны быть в офисе пораньше на тот случай, если шеф придет к девяти.

7. Если бы он не учился в то время в Оксфорде, он бы не встретил Мери.

8. Он закончит всю работу, прежде чем начнется конференция.

9. Если не будешь тренироваться много, ты не выиграешь это соревнование.

10. В случае если вам понадобится помощь, обращайтесь к полицейскому.

11. Позвонишь мне, когда будешь в городе?

 

Задание 7. Выучите следующие слова и выражения к зачету по теме «PEOPLE AND ECONOMY».

1. активы - assets

2. валовой национальный продукт - gross national product (GNP)

3. валовой внутренний продукт - gross domestic product (GDP)

4. бухгалтер - accountant, book-keeper

5. административный - executive

6. валюта - currency

7. средства производства - means of production

8. товар(ы) - goods

9. товар, предмет потребления - commodity

10. прибыль - profit

11. выгода, польза - benefit

12. затраты - costs

13. расход, трата - expense

14. повседневные нужды - daily needs

15. проценты от вкладов - interests

16. вознаграждение - reward

17. зарплата - wages

18. сбережения - savings

19. банкротство - bankruptcy

20. долг - debt

21. зарабатывать на жизнь - to earn one's living

22. сокращать, уменьшать, снижать - reduce

23. увеличиваться - increase

24. филиал - offshoot, branch

25. наблюдать - to supervise

26. конкурент - competitor

27. кредит - loan, credit

28. наем - hire

29. ставить цели - to set objectives

30. потребитель - consumer

31. спрос - demand

Задание 8. Подготовьте устное высказывание по теме «My future profession». Будьте готовы к активной беседе с преподавателем по данной теме.

КОНТРОЛЬНАЯ РАБОТА № 4

Для выполнения контрольной работы № 4, необходимо усвоить следующий грамматический материал:

1. Образование и функции Participle I, Participle II.

2. Неличные формы глагола (The Infinitive, The Gerund).

 

Задание 1. Прочитайте текст и переведите его устно на русский язык.