商务英语阅读-3-Company-Structure2页.docx

Unit 3 Company StructureUnit OverviewBy studying this unit, you are expected to:• learn the common types of company structure;• describe a company’s structure;TextA company can be organized in many different ways, depending on its goals. The structure of a company will determine the ways in which it operates and performs. Here are some of the most common types of company structures.An Entrepreneurial Structure is most common in small companies. The company structure is totally centralized. This means that the leader, who is usually also the owner, makes all the key decisions. Communication between the leader and employees is via face-to-face conversations. It is particularly useful for new businesses as it enables the leader to control growth and development.A Functional Structure is best suited to large companies so that costs can be kept low. Employees perform specialized tasks. For instance, activities related to production, marketing and finance will be separated into three departments.However, the marketing department might include sales, advertising and promotions. This leads to an efficient business where costs are kept low within each department. However, it could also lead to a lack of communication within the company, making the company inflexible and slow to respond when changes are required.A Divisional Structure divides the company according to the type of work, region or product. Each division contains all the necessary resources and functions within it. An automobile company with a divisional structure might have one division for sports cars, another for subcompact cars, and a third for sedans.Each division is responsible for its products and has its own resources such as finance, marketing and equipment. This structure allows flexibility and a quick response to changes in the market place. A Matrix Structure groups employees by both function and product. A simple example of a matrix structure would be when individuals within the company are brought together in order to complete a particular project or task. The individuals are chosen for their particular skills and knowledge according to the needs of the project. The strength of the Matrix Structure lies with the sharing of information and personnel.In general, it has become increasingly clear that through forces of globalization, competition and more demanding customers, the structure of many companies has become flatter and less hierarchical.Dealing with the Language:Task 1: Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words and phrases in the box.1. Operate 2. Entrepreneurial 3. finance 4. Marketing 5. be separated into 6. Flexibility 7. Hierarchical 8. 8. response1. The new ______________ policy of the company has proved to be a failed effort. The sales volume has fallen greatly.2. The ____________________ Department will help to judge whether it is worthwhile to invest such a large amount of money in this project.3. Most businessmen here come from Wenzhou, a city famous for the ________________________ spirit of its people.4. The company is poorly _________________ and has been losing money since last year.5. All the member organizations come with an open mind and are willing to show their _________________.6. The exhibition design ___________________ six sections each spanning over 20 years.7. In her _________________ set of values, honesty comes the first.8. We received over 400 applications in ________________ to one job advertisement. Task 2: Translate the sentences1. Face-to-face communication between the employer and employees are usually adopted in small businesses. (面对面沟通)2. A publishing company with a divisional structure might have one division for textbooks, another for periodicals, and a third for pop culture reading materials. (一个……，另一个……，还有一个……)3. In this case, the responsibility of this failure must lie with the chief engineer. (在于)4. 你已经长大了，不能再靠你父亲来解决这些问题。

(depend on)5. 我想知道史密斯先生是如何对这些批评做出回应的 (respond to, criticism)。