Практические занятия на тему

«Предпринимательство и право»

Цель практических занятий – получить знания о нормативно-правовой основе бизнеса, о формах организации собственности (партнерство, частное предпринимательство, акционерная компания и т.д.); изучить структуру бизнес - контракта.

Виды работы: Повторение грамматического материала (страдательный залог). Перевод, реферирование/аннотирование текста, разбор конкретной ситуации.

Информационно-коммуникационные технологии:

презентация по теме «Глагольные формы страдательного залога»

Кейс-задача

Background

The article below appeared in today's edition of Euronews, a weekly newspaper published in English throughout Europe.High Street Retailer in Pirated Goods Row

Retailing chain Target Stores was accused last night in a TV documentary of selling illegal software products. The documentary claimed that pirated copies of the best-selling computer game 'Race against Time' were flooding the market in Europe.

According to the programme, in the last three months Target Stores have sold approximately 50,000 games, said to be illegal copies from a supplier based in Hong Kong. It was alleged that the copies had been bought at a heavily discounted price and were 'selling like hot cakes' because the price was so low.

Target's Chief Executive, Penny Taylor, insisted the accusation could not be true, saying 'Target Stores is known for its integrity and high ethical standards. We price our products competitively and offer top quality goods. We have a skilled and committed workforce in whom we have great confidence.'

A company employee who does not wish to be named said that Target Stores have had problems in their buying department recently. Staff turnover in the department has been high. This has affected employees' morale and efficiency.

Company profile

TARGET STORES

Based in Dublin, Ireland, Target Stores is a major retailer with stores in most European cities. The company started by selling stationery, books and greeting cards, later branching out into magazines and music products. Because of fierce competition it has repositioned itself, concentrating on computer products, especially computer games.

Its merchandise appeals particularly to teenagers and young adults. The chain prides itself on providing quality products at affordable prices. It is known for its high ethical standards. Its mission statement begins, 'We put people first'.

Task

Because of the serious allegations and the effect on the company's image and share price, Target Stores decide to hold a press conference. This will enable them to defend the company, explain how they are dealing with the crisis and answer questions from journalists.

You are either a director of Target Stores or a newspaper journalist. Read your role card and prepare for the press conference. Then hold the press conference.

Directors, Target Stores

Your objectives are:

a) to defend Target Stores' reputation

b) to explain what you are doing to deal with the crisis

c) to handle the journalists' questions.

Your team will be lead by the Chief Executive of the company and could include: Director of Public Relations; Director of Human Resources; Head of Legal Department; Marketing Director; Consultant (crisis management firm).

1. Hold a meeting to discuss what actions you will take to deal with the situation.

2. Try to predict what questions the journalists will ask and prepare answers to them. You may be surprised by some of their questions as they have been carrying out some investigations to find out the truth.

You have made your own enquiries into the matter.

· You contacted your chief buyer. He says no one knows who placed the original order. According to him, it could have been a buyer who has left the company.

· You contacted the manufacturer of the game 'Race against Time'. They were not helpful. They said they were still considering what action to take regarding the illegal copies.

· Staff turnover in Target Stores has been high during the last two years. Because the company has suffered fierce competition, you have had to make over 2,000 employees redundant. You have to increase profits because the share price has been declining and shareholders are becoming restless.

Journalists

Your objectives are:

a) to ask probing questions so that you get the true facts and find out how the company is dealing with the crisis

b) to gather information so that you can write a powerful and accurate article for your newspaper.

1. Work in small groups. Prepare some questions which you would like to ask the Company’s representatives.

2. Work as one group. Choose the best questions and decide who will ask each one.

3. When you ask your questions at the press conference, make sure you ask "follow up" questions if you are not satisfied with the answers you receive.

You have made some enquiries and found out the following:

· The owner of the firm in the Hong Kong which sold Target Stores the games was investigated five years ago for selling counterfeit toys, but was not charged.

· Two other games, manufactured by the firm which made "Race against Time", have also been sold by Target Stores in small quantities (approximately 200 each). The games "Space Gladiators 4" and "Endgame" are also illegal copies supplied by the same company in the Netherlands.

· For the last two years, Target Stores have been reorganising their business. They have reduced their workforce by making 2,000 staff redundant. Employees who left the company accused the management of being "ruthless and dictatorial".