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THE WENDY RAE BODY CARE CENTERS INC |
SKIN AND HAIR CARE |
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PREPARATIONS |
________________________________________________________________ |
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Margareta Tntz |
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47 Akersgate |
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Oslo K – 117 81 |
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Norway |
28 may 20… |
WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Dear Ms Tntz,
Further to our conversation of today’s date, I’m writing to confirm what was discussed.
As I understand it, you have signed contracts with builders for structural repairs to your shop premises. You were required to pay 20% of the contract price of $68 000, on signing.
This sum was paid out of money lent to you by me on the understanding that it would be spent on converting your stores to Body Care Centres.
However, my application for permission to award you a Body Care franchise has been turned down, and these convertions are now not necessary.
In these circumstances, I must ask you to repay the full amount within seven days. I hold you liable for the debt in full.
Yous truly,
Isabella Hallberg
Notice: Without prejudice: words typed in a letter in order to indicate that nothing written in the letter is legally binding.
Θ Exercise 1. Listen to the recording of the meeting. Is the letter on the facing page a
fair account of what was said?
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Which of these points were also discussed at the meeting?
1)Mrs Hallberg led Ms Tntz to believe that it would be safe to sign a contract with the builders.
2)Mrs Hallberg does not believe that Ms Tntz paid 20% of the contract price to the builders.
3)MsTntz would gladly repay the debt, but she is not in a position to do so.
4)Ms Tntz will not be able to repay the debt as soon as she can.
5)Ms Tntz will not be able to repay the debt, unless she gets the franchise.
6)Ms Tntz is going to contact Mr Ringer herself.
Exercise 2.
Notice: The word order after two-part verbs like “turn down”.
Correct: the company turned down my application.
Correct: the company turned my application down.
Pronouns – him, her, them etc. Must come after the first part of the verb. Correct: The company turned it down.
Wrong: The company turned down it.
Now write the questions bellow.
The company turned down the application. (When) When did they turn it down?
a) Margareta Tntz won’t give back the money.
(Why)....................................................................................................................................
b) The company pointed out the mistake.
(How)...................................................................................................................................
c) Your recommendations will slow down the growth of the company.
(How)..................................................................................................................................
d) She took over the running of the store.
(When).................................................................................................................................
e) They want me to keep up the good work.
(How long... for)..................................................................................................................
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Θ At 10.30 on June 5, Isabella Hallberg attends an appointment with Franchise Manager, Scott Ringer. After the initial pleasantries, they get down to business.
Read the dialogue.
Ringer: Well, what can I do for you?
Hallberg: I’d like to discuss Margaretta Tntz’s case with you.
Ringer: I thought that might be the reason for you visit.
Hallberg: I’d like you to reconsider your decision. Ringer: I’m afraid that’s not possible.
Hallberg: I find that very inconsistent – even hypocritical.
Ringer: I’m sorry you feel that way, but the decision must stand.
Hallberg: But why? In all our PR and in all our literature, we stress our high ethical
standards. |
Everyone |
knows |
that |
the |
company |
supports |
equal |
opportunities |
for women – |
60% |
of all |
our franchisees are |
women |
||
with children. But you won’t allow me to offer a franchise to Margareta Tntz. Why? She is just the sort of person the company needs, and just the sort of a person who deserves
the company’s support. |
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Ringer: Yes, I can see that from your point of view my decision must |
look |
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very inconsistent. |
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Hallber: |
It does. |
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Ringer |
Is she a friend of yours? |
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Hallberg: |
No, she’s a business contact. I met her when she applied |
for a |
franchise. But I like her. And I don’t like the way we are treating her. |
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Ringer: I think I’d better explain. |
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Hallberg: |
I’d appreciate that. |
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Ringer: Well, to be honest, when I received your proposal, I smelled a rat. So I made some inquiries. And I discovered that Ms. Tntz isn’t what she claims to be.
Hallberg: What on earth do you mean?
Ringer I’m afraid she misled you. She didn’t inherit one pharmacy from her husband. She inherited twenty from her father. Ms. Tntz comes from a very wealthy Norwegian family. Hallberg: Are you certain about this?
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Ringer: Absolutely sure. In the last eight years, she has sold 16 stores to pay her debts. At the moment she owes $750 000 in back taxes. She owes her suppliers as much again.
She is effectively bankrupt. That’s why she needs our franchise.
Hallberg: Oh my God...
Ringer By the way, have you seen any of her stores?
Hallberg No-o… I haven’t.
Ringer: That was a mistake. Apparently, they are in very bad shape, and grossly mismanaged. The fact is that she is not a good business person. And I can tell you that we would not want her as a franchisee, now or ever.
Hallberg: But how ... but why were you suspicious?
Θ Exercise 3. Listen to the rest of the recorded conversation. Tick (√ ) the reason which caused Body Care to be suspicious of Ms. Tntz.
a)Isabella Hallberg was lending Ms. Tntz money.
b)Flavel’s products were sold through mail order.
c)Ms. Tntz was making repairs to her shop.
Exercise 4. The Franchise Manager sets out the background to Hallberg’s present situation in a report. Use the clauses below to fill the gaps.
In spite of her inexperience in business matters Isabella Hallberg was appointed head franchisee for Scandinavia in March 200.. Body Care does not normally allow head
franchisees to start sub-franchising .................. |
(a). .................. (b) Isabella Hallberg |
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applied for permission to award a |
sub-franchise |
to |
Margareta Tntz. Mrs. Tntz, |
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............... (c), planned to close her stores and reopen |
them as Body Care Centers. |
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Inquiries revealed that Ms. Tntz’s |
track record |
was |
not good, .............. (d). |
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..............(e), Isabella Hallberg had, in the meantime, lent |
Margareta Tntz $70000 to |
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finance structural repairs to her store premises. Some of the money lent by Mrs. Hallberg belonged to the company. Margareta Tntz is now refusing to repay the money .............. (f). I have indicated that this is not possible.
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and Mrs. Hallberg’s application was refused In direct contravention of company regulation In spite of her inexperience in business matters
In the belief that her application would be approved unless she is awarded a franchise
until they have two shops or more, and two years of successful selling experience.
who owns a chain of four pharmacies in Norway.
Exercise 5. Notice: PR stands for Public Relations
R & D stands for research and Development
Θ Now write the following questions and then listen to the recording to find out the answers.
Question (CEO) What does CEO stand for?
a)Question (CV) .............
b)Question (VDU) .............
c)Question (FOB) ............
d)Question (EDP) .............
ΘTo find out how the case ends, listen to the recording. Before you listen give your own ideas about the solution to the problem.
REVISION
Exercise 1. Give English equivalents to the following Russian ones.
Сеть магазинов; субподрядчик; широкий ассортимент натуральной косметики; искусно сделанные картонные коробки; лосьон; пробный экземпляр; поздравить с наградой; решающий; справляться с чем-либо; плановый валовой доход; первоначальные расходы; безграничный потенциал; бессмысленный; без чувства юмора; переоборудовать магазин; перспективная оценка (прогноз) продаж; приписывать успех чему-либо; противоречивость; быть озадаченным;