Wang: Naturally, we should brief them on the track record of our company.
Zhang: You mean to emphasize that our company has a long history of more than 100 years old.
Wang: Not only that. We should let them know that we have been very successful in our line of business.
Zhang: Do you think we should let them know that we are a leading exporter of Silk Garments in East China?
Wang: Exactly. I think we can give out some pamphlets about our company before the talk.
Zhang: Good idea. But mind you, do not bare everything about us at the meeting. I mean there's certainly a lot that we have to keep as a secret.
Wang: You mean marketing intelligence.
Zhang: Sort of. I mean there is no need for us to tell them how our products are priced. And also our detailed plan to expand into overseas markets.
Wang: I know what you mean. Well, what types of social activities do you think we can provide for them after the talk.
Zhang: I think we can show them around one of our main manufacturers.
Wang: A factory tour?
Zhang: Exactly.
Wang: And we may invite them to a dinner at a restaurant nearby.
Zhang: That's what we usually do. I don't think we need to make this trade mission an exception.Staff Turnover
The managing Director of your company is keen to reduce the number of staff leaving after a short time. You have been asked to suggest ways of encouraging staff to stay in the company
Discuss, and decide together:
l What kinds of incentives might help to retain staff
l How to ensure that staff satisfaction is maintained
Follow-up questions:
What benefit does having a stable workforce bring to a company?
What are the most common reasons why people change companies?
Is it a disadvantage for a job applicant to have a history of changing jobs? (Why/Why not?)
Do you think people will change jobs more frequently or less frequently? (Why/Why not?)
Will it become more important for an employee to have a wide range of skills in the future? (Why/Why not?)Market Research
Your company is considering introducing a new product and wants to assess the market potential. You have been asked to suggest ways of doing this.
Discuss, and decide together:
l What kinds of information would be useful to obtain
l How to decide whether to go ahead with the product
Follow-up questions:
Is market research essential when introducing a new product? (Why/Why not?)
What kinds of products or services is market research most useful for?
How accurately do you think consumers respond to marketing questionnaires? (Why/Why not?)
In what ways can companies influence consumer opinion?
How necessary is it for a company to diversify production? (Why)Product Recall
Your company has discovered a design fault in a new product and needs to recall this product from customers. You have been asked to make recommendations about the best way to handle this incident.
Discuss, and decide together
l What would be the most effective method of informing customers of the product recall
l How to ensure the company's reputation remains undamaged by the incident |
