E.g. Had you informed us earlier, we would have taken the necessary steps

SPEAKING

Work in pairs. Make up dialogues based on the topic “Asking for advice when starting a business of your own”.

Situation: Student A is going to start a business of his/ her own: setting up a bookshop, a special school for gifted children, a car repair garage, a coffee bar, a joint venture, a ladies’ hairdressing salon, a sweet-shop, a privately owned marketing consultant office etc. Student A is having an interview with the head of Credit and Risk Department of a local bank (Student B) with the object of asking for advice on business and money matters and getting a loan.

Language prompts:

A

_________________________________________________________________

1. You see, I am thinking of starting up... / setting up....

2. I’d like to go into... (business).

3. Could you give me some financial advice?

4. I am sure the competition in this business is strong but....

5. I’d like to get a short-term loan to cover the start-up costs.

6. Could I borrow... rubles from your bank to cover the start-up costs?

7. What are the credit terms at your bank?

8. What is the interest rate at your bank?

9. Could I offer my... as security for the loan?

10. My total assets would be about... rubles.

11. I have two liabilities to pay; they are my debts amounting to...

rubles.

12. I will take that into consideration by all means.

B

__________________________________________________________

1. What sort of business are you going to set up?

2. What type of company are you going to set up?

3. Have you ever worked in this field?

4. Have you done a market survey?

5. I advise you to really look into the arguments for and against

going into this business.

6. I advise you to look very closely at the venture.

7. Have you calculated your present assets? What do they come to/

amount to?

8. I strongly recommend a breakdown of the start-up costs.

9. Do you have any savings in our bank?

10. Do you actually own your own flat/ house?

11. My advice is that you shouldn’t.../ I advise against spending

a lot of money on decorating the premises.

12. Your liabilities should not exceed your assets.