1. Read the article below about how individuals can exert power in business. For questions 1-10, think of the word that best fits each gap. Use only ONE word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
TO
THE POWER PRINCIPLE
Real power in a company amounts (0) …… having the ability to get the objectives you want through direct action or persuasion. And the truth is that anybody can wield enormous power if they know how. Power necessary for running your own business comes from understanding all the key players and what objections they might put (1) …… your way. Treat it like a game of chess: you need to be thinking many moves (2) …… of your rivals and opponents.
People need to feel they have choices, and it is very (3) …… better that you present your plan with several options (4) …… than with just one. However, only one should be credible, or the others should lead to the same objectives, (5) …… as to be sure of achieving the result you want.
Identify the ultimate decision-maker and anticipate their likely reaction to your proposal. If you feel it won’t be favourable you need to work out a strategy to convince them otherwise, either by soliciting influencers – people who can persuade the key decision-maker – (6) …… by changing their minds directly.
But you’d better not ask them directly. You will find (7) …… very difficult to turn your proposal into reality if they say no. Even the (8) …… enlightened of people do not like (9) …… seen to change their minds or to have made a wrong judgement. And this means that (10) …… was a relatively simple job of convincing them of the merits of your plan becomes an uphill struggle of getting them to admit they were wrong.
2. You will hear an interview between a bank manager and two customers, Mr and Mrs Black. For questions 1-8 choose the best answer A, B or C.