an office every day doesn’t necessarily guarantee they’ll be working any more than if they were remote, Frein claims. Still, running an entire company remotely (8) is not without its challenges. For instance, establishing a relationship among co-workers who never get to see each other can be difficult. To help solve that problem, the company makes employees ask their colleagues lots of questions. InVision has already hosted several week-long companywide retreats where employees could connect face-to-face. When people have been working together for more than ten years, there is always a lot to talk and laugh about. Such events are an incredible experience. InVision’s managers have always been convinced that their business form (9) gives them an advantage over the competition. After all, they have never had any geographical restrictions with hiring people. This way, they can bring in talent from all over the world. Additionally, the company says by not renting an office space it has saved many millions since InVision was founded. But most importantly, Frein said, the whole concept helps InVision build a better product. Which of the businesses in 1a do you think could follow a similar model? Look at the highlighted expressions above. Match the explanations A–I with the expressions (1–9). A to create a new concept F to have a better position on the market than B to earn enough money to buy what you need similar companies C something that can also be problematic G your major project in life or business D to make something possible H to try to deal with (a problem) E it counts more than something else I can be bought or used without any problems Look at the businesses listed in 1a again. Choose one business and write sentences with the highlighted expressions in 2a. Example: Statistics are easily available online, but it takes a data journalist to make sense of them. Match the statements about InVision with functions A or B. A a situation or state which is still true B a finished action which is important now 1 The modern economy has changed, presenting new challenges in the world of business. 2 It’s never been easier to work remotely. 3 Clark Valberg has made it his mission to modernise the workplace. 4 InVision has already hosted several week-long companywide retreats. 5 After all, they have never had any geographical restrictions with hiring people. Look at 2a and notice the position of the underlined time expressions. Add them to the sentences below. Find someone who: 1 has passed a test or an exam. just 5 has achieved something today. What was it? already 2 has won a competition. What was it? recently 6 has lived in this town less than 10 years. for 3 has learned to ski. Why not? never 7 hasn’t eaten anything they left home this morning. since 4 has done well in interviews. always 8 hasn’t done what they needed to do today. yet Ask questions to find who the statements in 1–8 are true for. Find out more about each situation. Example: A: Have you won a competition recently? B: Actually, I’ve never won a competition. In pairs, tell each other what you found out about your classmates. Media task. Go online and find a website with business news. Make notes about some interesting news. Use the present perfect tense and time expressions where appropriate. Then, tell the class what you found out. b Vocabulary Talking about a business concept 3 a b 1 Grammar reference and practice, p. 186 Grammar refresher Present perfect and time expressions 4 a b Speaking 5 a b 6 30 Language skills Extras Explore 3 Success Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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