BEC商務英語閱讀材料：省錢秘笈

Every business I know has been through the wringer during the past two years. Sadly the good times aren't returning any time soon. So I've compiled a list of some more creative and worthwhile ways companies can save money to help entrepreneurs keep afloat in spite of the challenges.

● Do random expense claim audits.

Abuse of expenses is endemic, but if staff know that even their mobile phone bills are checked occasionally, then they are less likely to take advantage. You should have very clear expense policies, so fiddlers are not able to use confusion to get away with cheating.

● Buy second-hand.

We frequently buy reconditioned kitchen equipment for our restaurants. Do not hesitate to choose used over showroom-new if it makes economic sense.

● Lead from the front about costs.

As a boss, you should constantly question costs and try to be seen to be abstemious rather than extravagant – at least with corporate assets. If you are a spendthrift, you set a poor example that others will copy – with the company's money.

● Ask for early payment discounts.

If you have the cash, it might be a great way to improve your margins. If your suppliers are under financial pressure, they may well agree a 5 per cent discount for swift settlement. It would take almost two years with current low interest rates to earn that much if you kept the money in the bank.

● Understand what everyone does.

At least once a year, undertake a thorough analysis of all staff roles and try to work out their true productivity – and rationalise posts if necessary. Remember: no one ever tells you they are underworked or that their contribution is inessential.

Language Points:

Exam Focus:

(1) What is NOT the purpose of random expense claim audits?

A Preventing employees from taking advantage.

B Fiddlers may not easily succeed in this way.

C To examine their mobile bills occasionally.

D To cut costs in this aspect.

(2) Which is NOT a creative and worthwhile way to help bosses save money?

A Choose used equipments as substitutes for brand-new ones.

B Set examples as an abstemious boss.

C Early payment to obtain discount

D Rationalize posts frequently.

Oral Topic:

Keys(反白可見):

(1) C

(2) D

以下為商務英語中級秋季班外教Alison Oral topic 題目的錄音文稿：

This is a modal test of BEC Speaking Test Part Two.

In this part，you are required to give a ‘mini-presentation’on the following topic.

What are the effecitve ways for companies to save money in tough times?

What are the effecitve ways for companies to save money in tough times?

Now, you will have one minute to prepare your speech.

參考譯文：

過去兩年，我認識的每家企業(yè)都歷盡了磨難。遺憾的是，好時光不會很快就回來。因此，我編制了一份較有創(chuàng)意和價值的企業(yè)省錢途徑列表，幫助企業(yè)家在面對挑戰(zhàn)時仍能生存。

● 隨機審計費用支出

費用濫用屬于地方病，但如果員工知道，就連他們的手機賬單偶爾也會受到檢查，那么他們占公司便宜的可能性就會降低。企業(yè)應該制定非常明確的費用政策，這樣弄虛作假的人就無法渾水摸魚逍遙法外

● 購買二手貨

我們經(jīng)常為餐館購買二手廚房設備。如果能省錢，就不要猶豫選擇二手貨，而非全新商品。

● 帶頭控制成本

作為老板，你應該經(jīng)常對成本提出質疑，并努力讓人們認為你很節(jié)儉，而不是奢侈浪費——至少是對公司資產(chǎn)。如果你大手大腳，就會為別人樹立一個效仿的壞榜樣——用公司的錢。

● 要求提前付款折扣

如果你握有現(xiàn)金，這或許是提高利潤率一個好辦法。如果供應商面臨資金壓力，他們很可能會答應對快速結款支付5%的折扣。如果你把錢存在銀行，以目前的低利率，掙到這筆錢需要差不多兩年的時間。

● 了解每個員工在干什么

至少每年對所有員工的職責進行一次徹底分析，努力計算出他們的真實生產(chǎn)率——如有必要，就對崗位進行合理化改革。記?。簺]有人會告訴你他們的工作負荷不夠，或者他們的貢獻不重要。