Business News 04 - Management Style
Our news story today is about the changes in management style taking around the world. Transcript:
In the past, status symbols for nior management were regarded as being very important. The days, some companies are already breaking free from old-fashioned ideas of status and convention.
In some countries, open-plan offices shared by the manager have been popular for quite a long time. Recent indications show that many more companies are moving towards more open management. Offices shared by managers and other employees are an example of this. The manager may share an office with other employees but usually he or she is at a discreet distance from them or has the best position, near the window!
In Scandinavia, the idea that "to assume responsibility is, in itlf, a privilege" has been accepted for a long time. The participative style of management sometimes encourages employees to tell the Chief Executive what is wrong with the company and where improvements can be made. As a result, nior management are regarded as more approachable by their employees who, in turn, feel that their contributions to the company are valued.
Management style has changed a lot over the last few years. In the past, management and workers were completely parate, even to the extent of having parate restaurants for lunch. Now it’s common for companies to operate a single status policy, with no parate canteen for executives, no executive parking spaces, and the same uniforms for all.
clannad什么意思In some companies, "perks" formerly enjoyed by nior executives are being extended to all workers. This includes holiday hous, which can be ud by employees, and also the opportunity to participate in company share-saver schemes.
上海 健身 私教
In some more traditional companies change has to be introduced more gradually,as the symbols of status are regarded as very important by employees. For example, in certain companies, the model of car is an indicator of which grade of management a person has reached. Even office furniture and
fittings can be status symbols. The withdrawal of such items of recognition can be en as demotivating in companies where such symbols have been important.
Definitions & Examples:
status symbols (noun)
things which people want to have becau they think other people will admire them if they have them, e.g.
Among young people, this brand of designer clothing is the ultimate status symbol.
breaking free (phra)
parating from; dividing from; moving away from, e.g.
She wants to break free from her parents and start her own life.
old-fashioned (adj.)
not modern, belonging to or typical of a time in the past, e.g.
old-fashioned clothes/ideas/furniture
convention (noun)锦州翻译公司
(an example of) a usual or accepted way of behaving, especially in social situations, often following an old way of thinking or a custom in one particular society, e.g.
They broke with convention by giving up their jobs and becoming lf-sufficient.
Convention dictates that it is the man who asks the woman to marry him and not the rever. In many countries, it is the convention to wear black at funerals.
open-plan (adj.)
describes a room or building which has few or no walls inside, so it is not divided into smaller rooms, e.g.
an open-plan office
indications (noun)
signs or signals that something might happen, e.g.
Did they give any indication what cour of action they were going to take?
There are few indications (that) the economy is on an upswing.
Helen's face gave no indication of what she was thinking.
discreet (adj.)
careful not to cau embarrassment or attract too much attention, especially by keeping
something cret, e.g.
The family made discreet enquiries about his background.
I keep a discreet distance from my staff, just so that they know who's the boss.
Scandinavia (noun)
敌人英语a region including the countries of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and sometimes Finland and
Iceland
privilege (noun)
an opportunity to do something special or enjoyable, e.g.
umpc
[+ of + doing sth] I had the privilege of meeting the Queen.
I was given the privilege of being the only member of staff to reprent the company at the conference. participative (adj.)
taking part, being involved
思语approachable (adj.)
friendly and easy to talk to, e.g.
My boss is very approachable.
briberyin turn (phra)
one after another, e.g.
He spoke to the three boys in turn.
I'll e each of the applicants in turn.
contributions (noun)
things that you do to help produce or develop something, or to help make something successful, e.g. She has made a major contribution to our work.
What contribution have you made to the project recently?
valued (adj.)
uful and important, e.g. a valued member of staff
to the extent of (phra)
so strongly that, e.g.
Some people hold their beliefs very strongly, even to the extent of being prepared to go to prison for them.
single status policy (phra)
having the same pay structure, working conditions, etc. for all staff across the whole company or organisation
canteen (noun)
hoaa place in a factory, office, etc. where food and meals are sold, often at a lower than usual price perks (noun)
advantages or benefits, such as money or goods, which you are given becau of your job, e.g.
duck是什么意思
A company car and a mobile phone are some of the perks that come with the job.
traditional (adj.)
following the customs or ways of behaving that have continued in a group of people or society for a long time, e.g.
hor的音标
The school us a combination of modern and traditional methods for teaching reading.
She's very traditional in her ideas and opinions.
fittings (noun)
small parts or items, e.g.
plumbing fittings …. electric light fittings
recognition (noun)
when you accept that something is true or real, e.g.
There is a growing recognition of the scale of the problem.
[+ that] There is a general recognition that she's the best person for the job.
demotivating (adj.)
describes something that makes someone less enthusiastic about a job, e.g.
Constant criticism can be very demotivating.
I work so hard but I never get any prai; it's so demotivating.
