Competition

This unit looks at how competition spurs on business development and makes impact on regulations.

Key words: bid, competitor, minor, advantage, edge, threat, booming.

1. Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.

1) What are some highly competitive professional fields?

2) Name something that may give one company an advantage over another.

Listening / Reading task.

2. Listen and read the memo to employees regarding a competing company. Then, mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F). What advantage does Hewster-Copeland have over Framer Associates?

1) Hewster-Copeland lost an important contract to Framer Associates.

2) Framer Associates had higher profits than Hewster-Copeland.

3) Suppliers suggest that people use Hewster- Copeland’s services.

MEMO

To: Hewster-Copeland, Inc. Employees

From: Ronald Hewster, the CEO

Date: March 11^th

Re: Framer Associates

Since Framer Associates won the bid for the city’s downtown revitalization contract, it has been getting a lot of publicity. That publicity has prompted new clients to seek out Framer Associates’ services and its business is booming. As a result, it has gone from being a minor player to one of our top competitors.

While it may seem like Framer Associates is a major threat to our company, I do not want any of our employees at Hewster-Copeland to think we are no longer a key player in the contracting and construction market. We have the advantage:

1) our reputation is solid;

2) and we have spent years building customer loyalty through hard work and dedication;

3) when it comes to experience and trustworthiness, we have the edge over Framers;

4) we have a good relationship with all of the material suppliers in our area.

Many of suppliers are always happy to mention our names and recommend our services to new customers. Just because we did not land the city Contract does not mean that we are ruined. In fact, earnings reports show that we still are the top grossing contracting and construction firm in the city.

I thank you all for your continued hard work in making Hewster-Copeland the best in the business.

RH