Stop hiring expats in private jobs

NATIONALIZATION of jobs is a global term and program which has been implemented by many countries around the world. Middle Eastern and Gulf countries also try to apply the same system to solve unemployment among its citizens.

Business/formal letters 2

Congratulations letter

Dear Trade Partners, 

Congratulations on another successful year of beverage alcohol sales in Ontario and thank you for your partnership. With the goal in mind of continuing to meet the LCBO’s sales objectives and strategic initiatives, we have prepared the 2015/16 sales targets for products sold in our stores. 

The 5 company policies you need to have in writing

Policies are to a company what rules are to the players of a game. They are the framework and constraints within which everyone can strive for individual and collective success. Besides, for anyone who has watched a few kids playing together it’s pretty obvious why rules are important. And why it’s a good idea to write them down.

15 easy ways to lose clients

Clients are an important part of any business. But when it comes to web design, clients are everything! Whether it is an individually run enterprise or an establishment owned by several stakeholders; acquiring new clients and retaining old ones is an essential aspect for maintaining your web design business.

With increasing competition on the Internet, it can take a great deal of hard work to expand your client base and continue to retain existing jobs. Businesses invest a lot of time and money in marketing campaigns that will earn them new clients and keep old ones coming back.
Unfortunately, it only takes a single, simple, mistake to lose even your most loyal customers.
Losing clients is detrimental to any business, since they’re necessary for profit. Knowing how to prevent losing your web design clients starts with understanding what can lead to upsetting or turning away customers. Below is a list of 15 mistakes that could cost you your web design clients and ultimately, your business.

Complaints - formal language

Below you'll find some useful phrases of criticizing and complaining.

I'm sorry to say this but .....
I hate to complain but .....

Starting a Business in Prague

Have you ever considered establishing a company?
Below you'll find some tips and info about starting a business in the Czech capital city.

1. Why Choose Prague?

Prague is at the geographical heart of Europe and offers some major advantages over most other European countries that are relevant to any business start-up - a solid infrastructure, a highly educated and skilled workforce, lower wage costs when compared to Western Europe the average gross monthly salary in Prague is around CZK 25,000, favourable tax rates compared to western Europe (for instance, a flat tax rate of 15% for personal income tax and a corporate tax rate of 21% which will fall further in 2009 and 2010), favourable tax incentives for strategic services such as call centres, shared services centres, and others.

The strength of the economy owes a lot to the continuing high levels of foreign direct investment that flows into the country and this is testament to the growing importance of Prague as a central business location in Europe as a whole.

2. Multiple Start-Up Issues

Choice of Business Vehicle

When deciding to start up a business, you will have to consider the form of business vehicle that you would like to adopt. The main choice tends to be between either setting up on a self-employed basis (in Czech „živnostníci“) by applying for a business licence, or you can set up a limited liability company (known in Czech as an ‘s.r.o.´). Setting up as a sole trade is generally less burdensome especially when it comes to dealing with the various tax, accounting and other compliance issues. This article will focus on the company route, as this is the most common form of doing business
Other forms include joint-stock companies (equivalent to a Public Limited Company in the UK), a branch office, commercial partnership and limited partnership.

Setting Up a Company

Assuming you adopt the company route, you will have to invest a minimum of CZK 200,000 (equivalent to EUR 8,000) in the form of share capital. You should appoint a business service provider to assist with forming the company.

This involves establishing the company by way of an articles of association, dealing with and registering its owners and directors, obtaining trading licences appropriate to the company´s activities, liaising to open bank accounts and handling initial capital subscriptions and dealing with all court registrations and certificates.

Key documents include confirmation of a registered office address for the company, and for the director, a police clearance record from the country of origin/residence (that may need to be legalised). After the company has been registered, then the share capital funds can be used to pay for the company´s expenses.

Reporting Requirements

The Commercial Code sets out the key principles that all companies are required to comply with. The Accounting Act sets out a framework for accounting law that is supported by the chart of accounts and accounting procedures. The main tax laws are governed by the Income Taxes Act, (which covers corporate tax and personal income tax), and the VAT Act.

Registrations - Corporate Tax, VAT, Road Tax

Corporate Tax

Once the company has been registered in the commercial register, there is a requirement to register for corporation tax within 30  days following the date of registration in the commercial register. The rate of corporate tax is in 2008: 21% (2009: 20%, 2010: 19%)

VAT

The company can voluntarily register for VAT purposes (in order to be able to claim back input VAT incurred on purchases). Otherwise it is generally obliged to register if it exceeds the VAT threshold of CZK 1 million over twelve consecutive months. There are also other cases when the company has to register for VAT regardless of the level of turnover, for example, upon receipt of certain services provided from another EU VAT payer. There are two VAT rates: standard rate of 19% for most goods and services and a reduced rate of 9% for certain specified supplies.

Road Tax

If you intend to use a motor vehicle for business purposes, then you will be obliged to register for road tax. You can decide on whether the company should purchase the car as a business asset or whether you should buy your own car for private use and partially use it for business purposes. Whichever option you go for will be determined by your circumstances. Road tax rates: CZK 1,200 - CZK 4,200 per year for passenger cars.

Visas and Work-Permits

According to the law for foreigners, EU nationals are no longer obliged to apply for a residence permit, however they are entitled to do so and in many cases it makes sense for them to apply for one. The foreign Police expect EU nationals to apply for an EU card within 30 days.

Non-EU nationals who wish to spend in the Czech Republic more than 90 days are required to apply for a long-term visa. An application for a visa must be made at a Czech embassy abroad and documentation needs to be submitted including health insurance cover for the Czech Republic.

Additionally if a non-EU national is working in the Czech Republic, then (s)he may also apply for a work-permit. If required, they can also apply for an ID number as well.

Book-Keeping and Accounting

Once the company is set up, even though the company may not have started to trade by the year-end, it will still be required to keep the books and records to the end of the year and to prepare a set of financial statements and a corporate tax return. All of this must be filed with the financial office by 31 March following the year-end (assuming a calendar year).

However, if you appoint a registered tax advisor, then you become entitled to an extension of the filing deadline to 30 June.

Companies requiring an audit, automatically qualify for an extension of the filing deadline to 30 June (assuming a calendar year-end) and are required to file additional papers with the commercial court that are not required for companies that do not require an audit.

Social and Health Insurance

Before the company can start to employ people, it is required to register with the social and health insurance offices.

Everyone working in the Czech Republic is usually obliged to pay Czech social insurance contributions, whilst health insurance is only obligatory for foreigners (both EU and non-EU nationals) that have a permanent residency.

From 2007 directors have the option not to pay social security costs if (s)he is paid a small salary, otherwise (s)he is obliged to pay tax, social and health insurance contributions in the same way as an employee if he has a contract governed by Czech labour law.

Employer´s social and health insurance contributions amount to 35% of the gross salary and employee´s contributions amount to 12.5%.

Role of Directors

According to Czech law, the director of the company is the company´s legal representative and so is the only person who can sign contracts on behalf of the company.

If you are appointed as the director of a company and become involved in the day-to-day issues, you can also claim reimbursement of business expenses. In such a case, you should agree with the company some form of remuneration and a contract should be prepared to cover this arrangement (for example, in the form of a mandate contract). Additionally, non-EU national directors may also be required to apply for a work permit.

Czech Personal Income Tax

Another issue for foreigners employed by a Czech company, is the need to consider where they are resident for Income Tax purposes. The general rule is that individuals who are present in the Czech Republic for 183 days or more in a calendar year, are considered to be tax resident here and are liable to Czech tax on their world-wide income. If the individuals are present for less than 183 days, then they are not considered to be tax resident and are liable to Czech tax only on their Czech source income.

Generally tax should be paid in the country where work is performed but tax residency can be complicated depending on the circumstances of the individual, how permanent residency is defined and the effect of any double-tax treaties between the Czech Republic and the home country.

3. Other Start-Up Issues

There may be other issues relevant to the business start-up that you may wish to consider depending upon your circumstances. Some examples:

Finding Office space - initially when you set up the company it may be sufficient to only pay for the use of a registered office address, but there will come a point when you will need to find proper offices to work from. In such a case, you could either search for offices yourself or appoint an agent that may or may not charge you a fee equivalent to one month´s rent.

Quasi-Finance/Administrations Director (QFD) - This is a service that is especially relevant to any start-up that wishes to develop and grow it´s business. This involves providing a suitably qualified person who would visit your offices on a regular basis to act as a part-time finance/administration director until the business appoints its own full-time finance person. The duties that a QFD would typically carry out may include control of bank accounts; design and preparation of management information reports; advising and setting up basic financial controls covering cash, bank, sales and purchases; and generally advising on how to minimise costs.
Employing Foreigners - If you second foreign nationals to the Czech Republic, you will require advice on expatriate employment structures covering different possible arrangements which will mainly affect tax administration issues.

Finding Accommodation - foreign staff that will be based in Prague will need to find an apartment to rent. Again you could either search for an apartment yourself or appoint an agent to do the ‘leg-work´ for you. If you appoint an agent, the standard fee payable is one month´s rent.

4. Conclusion

When considering setting up a business, there are a multitude of issues ranging from legal compliance, accounting, through to tax and other issues that need to be taken into account, and some that need to be done on time to avoid penalties and interest. Ideally a company that can provide a One-Stop service could help to reduce your costs and it will reserve management time for focusing on core activities, as you do not have to contact various service providers directly to help you with different activities.

Source: https://www.expats.cz/prague/article/prague-business/starting-a-business-in-prague/

Why do Saudi government employees leave work early?

In a recent public debate on the MBC channel, Saudi Minister of Civil Service Khaled Al-Araj said many Saudi government employees only work for an hour each day and that this figure was based on studies.

The Mayor of Madinah has recently made it compulsory for all staff in Al-Madinah Municipality to record their fingerprints five times a day to ensure that employees are at work and do not leave early. In fact, many government employees leave the workplace many times every day, citing different excuses. The use of the word “many” here is unhelpful because this word does not indicate figures or percentages.

Let me mention some of the excuses employees give for leaving their place of work. Some are relatively acceptable while others are not. Some employees have children to pick up from school or have wives or sisters to pick up from the workplace and drop at home. 

However, other employees leave the workplace to go to cafés for coffee or to go grocery shopping. I wonder why they opt to go shopping when at work. Is this the only time they have? What about the rest of the day, what do they do with it?

Most employees take permission to leave the workplace to pick up their children or wives. By the way, this issue is an old one and has been debated several times. It dates back at least six decades. There has never been a practical solution for it. For example, there are no school buses to transport students although we have read many times in newspapers that a transportation company is to be set up to transport them.

There is another solution to this problem, but it is unlikely that it would be accepted by teachers, male or female. School hours could be extended to 3 pm. In this case, a government employee would not have to leave early to pick up his wife who is a schoolteacher. In fact, this is not a new solution. It has been suggested several times, but it has not been discussed seriously, let alone implemented on the ground.

If both solutions are impractical, another solution should be found. I have a simple solution: microbuses and busses owned by citizens. The Ministry of Transport should facilitate the implementation of this solution and stop relying solely on public transport buses, which cannot meet the huge demand for transportation.

Author: Salim Ahmad Sahab

Source: http://saudigazette.com.sa

International trade - videos nad vocabulary

English Vocabulary for International Trade - it contains essential vocabulary regarding international trade.

A helpful word list with international trade vocabulary: https://www.vocabulary.com/lists/24739

Macroeconomics - Financial English Vocabulary - one more video with vocabulary concerning international trade.

Business English Vocabulary for Supply Chain Management  - for those who work in trade and/or logistics.

Why International Trade and Investment Are Good for the US Economy: lecture full of statistics and examples

International trade: Absolute and comparative advantage -theory+examples

Business letters, part.I - Sales and trade

Describing our product/offer

Dear Sirs,
We think you will be interested in our leather handbags which are offered at various prices and in a variety of colours. The high quality of our product is well known and universally acknowledged. We are certain that a trial order would convince you that, at the prices quoted, the goods we are offering are excellent value for money.
From all list prices we allow a trade discount of 30% and a further special discount of 5% on all orders received on or before 31st May. Under pressure of rising costs we shall not find it possible to extend these favourable terms beyond that date, so why not take advantage of them now and send us an immediate order.
We are offering you goods of very high quality on unusually generous terms and would welcome the opportunity to serve you.
Yours faithfully,
XYZ


An offer to a former customer

Dear Sirs,
Looking through our records we note with regret that we have not had the pleasure of an order from you since last December. We hope you had no cause to be dissatisfied either with our goods or with the way in which we have handled your orders.
We think you might be interested to know that we have recently been appointed sole agents for the sale of printers of six of the leading manufacturers and that our stocks now include a wide range of first-class machines at very attractive prices. From the catalogue enclosed you will see that the prices of these portables are much lower than those for standard models and that we are offering very generous terms of payment.
We look forward to the pleasure of doing business with you again.
Yours faithfully,
XYZ


Invitation

Dear Sir,
we have pleasure in inviting you to the 25th International Fair in Poznań, open from 9th to 16th June. Our goods will be exhibited in Pavilion No.1 and we shall be glad to welcome you there.
Invitation cards can be obtained at the Polish Commercial Counsellor's Office at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in your country. Please present this invitation to the Polish Consulate when applying for an entry visa.
We look forward to meeting you in Poznań.
Your faithfully,
XYZ


Refusal to pay a visit

Dear Mr Novak,
Thank you for your invitation. I regret very much but my official duties have made me change my plans for the near future and I find it impossible to leave England in the first half of 2017.
I ask you to accept my apologies and please believe me that I am very anxious  to visit you at the first possible opportunity.
Yours sincerely,
XYZ

Letter of enquiry

Dear Sirs,
We have had some enquiries from our customers about your waterproof raincoats and their quality.
If the quality and price is satisfactory there are prospects of good sales. Nevertheless, before placing a firm order I should be glad if you could send me, on two months' approval, a selection of men's and woman's waterproof raincoats.
Any of the items unsold at the end of the period would be returned at my expense.
Your faithfully,
XYZ

Reply to enquiries

Dear Sir,
We thank you for your enquiry of 5th June, and we have pleasure in submitting herewith two copies of our Export Price List together with some publicity material.
Our usual discount 5% but if an order is exceptionally large we are prepared to increase the discount.
All items on our range are carried in stock, enabling us to effect despatch od orders within 10 to 14 days of receipt of the order. We hope that our products will meet your approval and we will have the pleasure of receiving your order.
Yours faithfully,
XYZ

Reply to enquiries - refusal

Dear Sirs,
We thank you for your enquiry of October 10, but we regret we do not manufacture the type of equipment you require.
However, we would like to draw your attention to some of our other lines which may be of interest to you (see enclosed leaflet).
Your faithfully,
XYZ

Swiss Banks - A Safe Haven for Money from Around the World

Switzerland is not only well-known for chocolate and its watch-making industry. It is also famous for its unique banking and financial system. Banks play an important role in Switzerland’s economy. Swiss banks have been considered to be the most secretive in the world for many centuries. About a third of all money held outside a person’s home country - hundreds of billions of dollars - is deposited in Swiss banks.

Banking in Switzerland goes back to the 18th century. In the past , not only rich people but also authoritarian regimes and dictators have secured their money in Swiss banks. Foreigners who live in unstable and troubled areas also tend to keep money in secure Swiss banks instead of their own. During World War II German Nazis deposited much of the country’s wealth, especially money  and gold taken away from Jews , in Switzerland.

Switzerland has two large banks - UBS and Credit Suisse. Private banking also has a century-long tradition in the alpine country. Currently, about 130000 people work in the banking sector. Major banks have overseas branches that employ thousands.
Switzerland’s popularity as a safe bank haven has many reasons. For one, the country has a very stable and prosperous economy, and one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. It has been neutral for many centuries, especially during the two world wars. In addition, the Swiss franc is one of the most stable currencies in the world.

Swiss banks have to follow very strict privacy rules. In 1934, a law was passed that forbade Swiss banks to reveal the name of account holders. Banks  protect the privacy of their clients  in a way no other country in the world does. If a Swiss banker reveals anything about a person’s bank account without permission he commits a criminal act. Such regulations have made Switzerland a popular destination for foreigners who do not want to pay taxes in their own country.
Lately, however, the Swiss government has been under constant pressure by other countries to change their bank laws, making it possible to reveal the names of possible drug dealers or international criminals. EU officials claim that  more and more citizens are moving their money to Switzerland to escape taxation in their home country. Income that is not reported to the government is often deposited in Swiss banks.

In the past decade Swiss bank officials have been working together with international financial experts to combat money laundering. Under new laws they and must report any financial transactions that look suspicious.

Credit Suisse headquarters in Zurich

 

 Dictionary:

• account holder = person who has money in a bank
• act = action
• alpine = in the Alps
• authoritarian regime = government that is very strict to its people and does not allow them basic rights or freedom
• billion = a hundred million
• branch = part of a company that does work in another country
• century = a hundred years
• claim = to say that something is true
• combat = fight
• commit = do something wrong or illegal
• considered to be = people think that …
• currency = the money a country uses
• currently = at the moment
• deposit = put, place, leave
• destination = target
• economy = the system by which a country’s money and goods are produced  and used
• employ = give work to
• escape = get away from
• especially = above all
• forbid – forbade = not allow
• foreigner = person who lives in another country
• haven = place where you can put something in order to protect it from danger
• however = but
• in addition = also
• Jew = someone , whose religion is Judaism
• law = rules that a country passes
• major = very important
• money laundering = when money that is received illegally is put into businesses and banks  in other countries , so that it is difficult for people to find out where it came from
• neutral = not taking part in wars or helping other countries
• official = person in a high position in the government or other organisations
• overseas = countries across the ocean
• per capita income = the money every Swiss person earns in a year
• permission = being allowed to do something
• popular = well-known and liked
• popularity = something that makes a place very attractive
• privacy = about private things
• prosperous = wealthy, booming
• protect = guard
• regulations = rules
• reveal = make known
• secretive= private, guarded, well-defended
• secure = to make something safe
• strict =exact
• suspicious = something that  might be against the law
• taxes = the money you must pay to the government for the income you get
• transaction = here: when money is transferred from one account to another
• troubled = with many problems
• unique = only one of its kind; very special
• unstable = here: areas where the political situation can change very often
• wealth = riches, money

 Source: http://www.english-online.at/economy/banking-in-switzerland/swiss-banks.htm

What's IKEM?

What is IKEM?
The largest Czech medical research and clinical hospital managed directly by the Ministry of Health which was established in 1971.The Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM) is made up of 3 specialist centres, 8 departments, 15 specialist departments, work bases and laboratories, and 1450 members of staff. There are a total of 312 beds available, of which 83 beds are in intensive care units.
For almost 40 years, the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine has provided healthcare services at the highest level. The main objective of the institute is to continually improve healthcare for patients, to perfect medical procedures and apply the newest scientific findings in practice.
Over its existence, IKEM has become one of the largest specialist clinical and scientific research workplaces in the Czech Republic, focusing on the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, organ transplants, diabetology and the treatment of metabolic diseases.
IKEM was the first hospital in Prague to obtain the ISO 9001:2008 quality certificate.

What is IKEM’s mission?

A health service in accordance with citizens’ needs and the interest of society in the fields of prevention, diagnostics and treatment of diseases, in the spirit of the Hippocratic Oath and the humane ideals of European and global medicine and medical science.

What are IKEM’s values?

A human relationship with the sick, creative work, professionalism and invention, responsibility and competence, morality and honour, human solidarity and mutual respect and collegiality.

What are IKEM’s main tasks?

Specialist clinical activities in selected fields. Research work. Training clinical staff and participation in the education and further training of doctors.
What we see as IKEM’s objectives
Helping each and every patient. Seeking the most effective way of preventing diseases. Decreasing morbidity, disability and mortality. Increasing the quality of life in the years we have added on. Generalizing findings from clinical practice to aid medical science.

Congress Center

We provide complete services on a professional level in hiring of our air conditioned premises incl. A/V technical equipment (Congress Hall incl. a foyer for exhibitions and two classrooms ) . Our rooms spaces are ideal for practically any type of event, from international congresses, seminars, workshops and press conferences, to company presentations and any kind of gathering.  In collaboration with our own catering company we arrange high quality catering services according to your wish. We also offer own graphic and printing services, for example promotion materials, posters, name cards, flyers etc.

CONGRESS HALL: (5th Floor)

capacity 180 seats, in addition extra chairs 200 seats (with addition chairs in Foyer 250 seats available),

full HD projector 6000lm , high speed WIFI, 2 cabins for interpreters, wheelchair accessible, service of technical staff.

 

Invoice example

Invoice # 0010149

From Yellow Bookers Ltd. 5th Avenue 112/23 New York USA Tel. 000 000 000

To Jennifer Knight Borrough Street 99/10 3KG 798C Railey, UK Tel. 995 897 144

Item description	Quantity	Unit price	Discount	Total
English-Hungarian Dictionary	2	70 $	No discount applicable.	140 $
Teach yourself Java	1	119 $	No discount applicable.	119 $
Longman Pronunciation Dictionary	1	30 $	No discount applicable.	30 $
Folk medicine	1	15 $	No discount applicable.	15 $
Book no.5	1	11 $	No discount applicable.	11 $

Subtotal	315 $
Sales tax	5%
Shipping & Handling	10 $
Total due	340,75 $

Payment instructions

Make all checks payable to Yellow Bookers Ltd.

Total payment due in 7 business days.

Please include the business number on your check.

Thank you for your business.

My employment story

I graduated from the university. I was studying political science and my specialty was communication in business. I liked my studies but after finishing them I realised that there aren't many job offers related with my industry.

I was jobless for almost 10 months. It started to be unbearable: I had to live by my parents and constantly ask them for money.

Finally I found a job offer posted by an insurance company. They needed a customer advisor and the company didn't have very high requirements. I sent them my CV; they called me after a week.

I was invited to a job interview. I had no experience in that field but thanks to my enthusiasm and self-esteem I got that job. I was working hard so after a year I got promoted. I was offered a post at lower management. I was satisfied with my salary but I didn't really like my job. It was very monotonous. My main duty was to prepare reports and writing e-mails to our potential customers. I started to think about changing my workplace.

I was considering what I should do next. An acquaintance suggested me to start my own business. The only problem was that I had no idea of what services or products I could offer to people.

I spent hours on talking about my future business with my girlfriend. She told me that there's a demand for a fitness and beauty care studio in our small town. Unfortunately, there wasn't any. Obviously, it was too expensive to start such a business from scratch. I had no money which I could invest and I was too afraid of taking a bank loan. What would I do if my studio will not be successful?

My older brother asked me: „Why don't you work as a coach for various companies? At least, you will have a chance to use your knowledge that you gained during studies.“

I think he was right. It seemed really interesting to advise people how to communicate effectively, how to be persuasive or how to avoid manipulation.

I started to be self-employed. At the beginning I didn't have many requests for preparing a training, discussion or a course but later more and more companies were contacting me. I'm really glad that I decided to do something on my own. Now I can make use of my creativity.

Tips for Business Travel to China and Hong Kong

 

Hong Kong

1. Passport

Make sure that your passport has at least one blank visa page and and is valid for six months or more. Renewing or obtaining a new passport can take up to four weeks, so be sure to allow enough time for processing. It is possible to shorten the process to two weeks, but you will have to apply in person, keep your fingers crossed, and pay an extra processing fee.

2. Visa

If you hold either a U.S. or EU passport, you will not need a visa to enter Hong Kong for stays under 30 days. You will, however, need a visa if you are traveling to mainland China. If you will be entering China more than once on your trip, apply for a multiple-entry visa.

3. Flights

Don't rely on your corporate travel agent to book your route. Do your homework! Choose flights with as few layovers as possible and allow for jet lag when setting your meeting schedule. It is preferable to land in China or Hong Kong in the evening, so you'll have time to squeeze in a little sleep and get acclimated. 

Hong Kong

 

4. Hotels

Hotels in China tend be clean and comfortable, but they have their challenges. More often than not, communication is difficult no matter how helpful and courteous the staff. Learning a few key words and phrases will go a long way - particularly if your travels take you from the major cities - to ensure that you can acquire the essentials. Choose hotels with workout facilities (the best cure for jet lag) and high-speed Internet.

5. Packing

Avoid checking luggage if at all possible. A quick exit from the airport will mean that you will be able to get your tired self to a hotel (and to bed) much sooner. Pack lightly. Laundry services in most hotels are outstanding and relatively inexpensive so you will only need to pack a couple of pants (or skirts), a few shirts, a sweater and a jacket or raincoat. The weather differs greatly by region and time of year in China, so bring clothing that can be easily layered.

6. Chargers/Converters

Protecting your travel gadgets is extremely important so be sure to have the correct converters and adapters for both China and Hong Kong, as they are different. Tip: Adding a handy multi-device charger, will make powering-up more convenient.

7. Surviving the Flight

It's a long trip no matter how you get there - or from where. These do's and don'ts will make the journey easier:
Do:

• Hydrate before and during the flight
• Pack an easily accessible change of clothes and a toiletry kit
• Get up and stretch whenever possible
• Try to sleep!
  

Don't:

• Drink too much caffeine
• Consume alcohol
• Forget entertainment and/or work for the flight
  

8. Currency

Hotels and restaurants in the larger cities will accept most major credit cards, but carry two of them (American Express & Visa for example) just to be safe. You should also have cash on hand when you arrive so that you can exchange it for local currency, which you will need for incidentals like cabs and other transportation.
Tip: Money is easily exchanged at the airport and most hotels, but remember that Hong Kong and mainland China have different currencies.

Beijing

9. Maximizing Rewards

One major plus of a 21-hour flight is the amount of airline miles accumulated. These long trips also go a long way towards gaining status on your airline of choice, making upgrades and ensuring that other bonuses are far more likely. If you aren't part of a rewards program, sign up when you book your flight.

10. Health and Safety

Be prepared! You may have trouble finding health products in China (unless you can read Chinese), so always travel with a first-aid kit.
Essential Items:

• Prescription Medications - Take more than you need in case your travel plans change and leave in their original packaging.
• Antibiotics - Ask your GP to prescribe a generic infection-fighting drug (just in case).
• Immodium - Your stomach may not enjoy your culinary adventures as much as you do.
• Ibuprofen - Include an anti-inflammatory for general aches and pains.
• Benadryl - Even if you aren't prone to allergies, take along just in case.
  

11. Getting Around

Business travelers will find Hong Kong and the major mainland China cities fairly easy to navigate, even if you are not fluent in the local language. As you leave the major cities, however, you'll find fewer and fewer signs in English or other languages. Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing all have adequate public transportation options, but a cab is still the way to go if your company is picking up the tab.

Beijing

Source: http://businesstravel.about.com/od/internationaltravel/tp/China_Hong_Kong_Travel_Tips.htm

Business e-mails – helpful phrases.

I am writing to confirm if you received our order/shipment.

Please find our price list attached.

I would like to ask you if you had a chance to read/peruse our offer.

I would like to ask about the previous order/invoice.

I would like to explain... Could you please explain...?

Unfortunately, we cannot agree with the conditions/terms you offered.

I regret to tell you that we cannot accept your offer.

I regret to tell you that we cannot fulfill your request.

I am sorry but currently we do not have the products you asked for/ you are interested in.

I will contact you once I receive an approval.

I will contact you as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

When it comes to payment, you are kindly asked to send a bank transfer to the following bank account …

I would like to apologize for the late delivery.

Can you please confirm if/whether the goods have arrived?

The goods you have ordered are on the way.

I have several questions regarding the invoice/the payment/the order.

Kind regards,

Best regards,

Yours sincerely,

Business English - discussion topics

I. Recruiter: your boss told you not to hire unexperienced people. Recently a graduate brought shame on a company because of his unprofessional telephone manner

Fresh graduate: you desperately need a job. Your only job experience is being an elderly person's assistant in Germany during a holiday break

II.Recruiter: you really need an experienced team leader. You cannot offer higher salary to him/her but you're trying to convince him/her by bunch of benefits

Team leader: you already have a good job and aren't really willing to change it. The only thing that can convince you is higher remuneration.

III. Bonus for overworked, burnt-out employees:

-away day, 10 minutes  longer lunch break, free day spa ticket, hiring new person for half-time to help with the job

IV. Where to invite a business partner from foreign country:

-exclusive restaurant

- medium-price restaurant with local food (where a folk event takes place)

-your favourite café with home-made ice-cream and delicious coffee

V. Language school equipment (decide on budget and set priorities)

-air conditioning, expensive furniture, expensive, sophisticated wallpaper, laptops

VI. Can you think of some type of business or activity that might fail for sure? (Carries a risk of being unsuccessful?)

VII. You told your subordinates to get engaged in some training session which you’ve paid for. For some reason no one registered, although you’ve informed the whole team about trainings via email. What would you do?

VIII. One person working on helpdesk and supporting German-speaking clients has some communication problems while talking on the phone. His/her command of German is not sufficient, unfortunately. How would you react?

IX. One person in the team shirks his responsibilities. Other people are forced to do his job and are very dissatisfied with that fact. Would you talk to him or go directly to the supervisor?

X. Addressing all employees at all levels with their first name helps to create an atmosphere of equality in a company and reduces stress and needless distance.

XI. Dress code should be ignored at a service desk.

XII. Due to restructuring you, being a boss, need to dismiss 3 people out of your 15-person team. What criteria would you choose while picking the unlucky ones that will be fired?

XIII. Due to the fact that your service center started cooperation with Australia and the U.S. your subordinates will have to do the on-calls during the night. They strongly oppose the idea. How would you discipline them?

XIV. Your boss offers you a two-month-long delegation in Indonesia. Would you decide to go? Why yes/no? (if yes, how would you prepare to it?)

Job uniform

Job uniform

Thomas, PE teacher: It may sound silly but a gym suit is my job uniform. It is because I'm a PE teacher. I really like wearing gym suit because it is the most comfortable piece of clothing you can think of. I can't imagine myself ironing the shirts every day. To be dressed elegantly isn't my style at all. Last time I had a suit on was my wedding day 4 years ago.

Emma, personal consultant: I work in a telecommunication company. We all need to follow business casual dress code. It means you don't have to wear very formal clothes but, on the other hand, you cannot wear whatever you like as well. I have no problem with it but some of my colleagues complain that they can't put sandals or flip flops on. Our boss used to say:”Our office is not a beach”.

Fiona, works at the bank: All people in our team have to be dressed in a very formal way. Our bank has a very strict dress code which means that I have to wear black suit+black trousers (or skirt) and a white shirt. Any sign of extravagancy is not allowed. Generally speaking, my job uniform is boring.

Linda, stewardess: I love my uniform. Since I was a little girl, I was dreaming about working as a stewardess. In my opinion it is a prestigious and responsible job. Not for everyone. Stewardess' uniform is a symbol of success to me. Besides, it's beautiful, eye-catching and very womanly.

Bart, student:

I am still studying but I found a temporary job to repair my budget. What I need to do is to stay in front o a toy shop in Winnie the Pooh costume and encourage people to come inside the shop. The costume is heavy and when it is hot, I'm all wet from sweat. It is irritating. I hope that I will find a better job in the future.