Instituto Comercial de Osorno
English Department
Teacher Soledad Sandoval M.
The Company Structure
A. Big companies employing a large workforce have complex internal structures, with separate
specialist departments in charge of different functions. There are nine such departments at this
company headquarters. Match each function with the department responsible for it.
Ground Plan of Headquarters
Functions
1 carries out market research
2 works with the factory unit
3 runs the mail room for all incoming and outgoing
correspondence
4 draws up contracts
5 operates the firm’s trucks, vans and cars
6 works to improve the firm’s products range
7 responsible for recruitment and selection
8 pays wages and salaries
9 in charge of the welfare of employees
10 includes data processing services
11 advices on corporate regulations
12 arranges delivery of goods
13 organizes the activities of the sales representatives
14 provides office services, such as typing and
photocopying
15 creates new products
16 keeps a record of all payments made and received
17 brings the firm’s goods and services to the
attention of potential customers
18 organizes training courses
19 orders all supplies needed by the firm
20 organizes quality control to maintain product
standards
B. Complete this extract from a large company’s annual report. There are 12 missing words and
a choice of four possibilities for each
Ll
Open communication
with all employees is vital to achieve that sense of personal 1)__________ in the company,
without which our steady 2)____________ would be impossible. 3)__________ communication between
management and employees has played a key role in building the excellent 4)_________ relations on which we
pride ourselves.
We recognize that professional enthusiasm does not depend solely on pay 5) _________, but also on opportunities
employees have to participate in the 6) _______ process and contribute to plans and choices that affect their job
and careers.
All employees receive regular issues of our 7) __________ magazine and information booklets on our 8) ________
and plans, as well as regular 9)___ ______ of progress.
Advance10)__ _______ of any changes to the business is given to all employees who may be affected. Managers
meet on a 11) ____________ basis with elected staff 12) ______________ to tackle any problems and to ensure
efficiency and stability.
Instituto Comercial de Osorno
English Department
Teacher Soledad Sandoval M.
1. improvement/ involvement/popularity/development
2. share/market/size/growth
3. specific/formal/face-to-face/accurate
4. labor/public/departmental/external
5. days/scales/claims/demands
6. training/promotion/decentralization/ decision-making
7. popular/publicity/in-house/do-it-yourself
8. politics/policies/portfolio/prestige
9. programs/ levels/promises/reviews
10. notice/consideration/help/publication
11. freelance/quick/regular/standard
12. personnel/representatives/staff/executives
C. There are four types of business ownership in the private sector of the economy: public
limited company (PLC), partnership, sole trader & private limited company (Ltd.). Put each one
in the correct box to complete the table
1
One person provides
all the capital
2
Owned by two or
more people who
contribute capital
Unlimited liability
The personal assets of the owner(s) can be
taken to pay any business debts.
3
A registered company
with restricted share
transfer
4
A registered company
whose shares can be
bought and sold on
the Stock Exchange
Limited liability
Liability for business debts is limited to the
amount of capital subscribed.
D. Project: In groups, look for the ground plan of any company. Give the general description of the
company, describe the departments it has and determine what type of business it is.