Tests audioscript

contribute because all sides of the

[BP_C1_Test_01_01.mp3] conversation are essential to enable further
creative thinking. However, we also need to
T = Tracey M = Martin
encourage active listening and not just wait
for the next opportunity to talk. If we listen
T: Morning, Martin. Have you had any
actively, then there are more chances to
thoughts about this innovation meeting
respond accordingly and continue forming
we’re having later today?
ideas and solutions.
M: Hi, Tracey. To be honest, it’s all I’ve
T: I completely agree. Innovation doesn’t
been thinking about. I’ve been reading up
happen overnight, and it needs time and
on some of the possible ways we can help
reflection to be able to grow. I think it’s also
to encourage a culture of innovation in the
worthwhile listening and responding to
company, but there seems to be so much
everyone’s ideas and to give them
information that it’s difficult to process all of
feedback, because then all considerations
it.
are taken into account. Something else I
T: Do you want to have a chat about it? I
was going to bring up was training. If we are
could do with some brainstorming myself.
to expect our employees to fully contribute
M: Sure. Initially, the main point of reference
to new innovative approaches, then we
I’ve found is that we need to create an
must be able to equip them with the tools,
environment that fosters creativity and
gadgets and high-tech methods to do so.
innovation, thereby overcoming problems,
Not only would this give our colleagues the
and the best way to do that is to collaborate
chance to enhance their skills, but it would
with our colleagues, both senior and junior.
also demonstrate to them that we are taking
T: I see. By collaboration, do you mean
this idea of an innovation culture seriously.
meetings and seminars?
M: Absolutely. It’s something I hadn’t
M: Not really. I see meetings as rather one-
thought of, but training is certainly
dimensional. Many people think that
something that should be done. One of the
meetings are about one person talking at a
biggest barriers to innovation is the fear of
group of others. What I mean is something
failure. If people are afraid to fail, then that
like a forum. These forums would stimulate
stops creativity immediately. What people
more discussion between colleagues
need to realise is that failures are an
meaning that employees are more
exceptional opportunity for learning.
motivated to get involved and this new
Besides, if we don’t learn from our mistakes,
culture would catch on. And the forums
then we are likely to make them again and
don’t have to take place in a face-to-face
then we face even more problems.
situation – there is a whole host of
T: Yes, I think you’re right. There needs to
collaboration software out on the market
be a safe space for experimentation, and
nowadays.
that can be achieved through the forums.
T: I understand now. By having a group of
The last thing that I thought about was
people working together on coming up with
incentives and compensation. If we’re
new ideas, then they’re more likely to be
asking our employees to work together to
unorthodox solutions. Of course, not all
come up with new ideas, then surely we
ideas will be successful, but that’s one of
need to re-evaluate our incentives scheme?
the best things about collaboration, because
We want to challenge our colleagues to
all ideas need to be discussed and
dream up new ideas and new ways of
evaluated thoroughly and this would
working, and they need to have an
demonstrate great insight into our thought
incentive, otherwise there would be little
processes. That’s called divergent thinking,
point in asking them to collaborate on new
isn’t it?
ways to improve how we work.
M: Yes, I think so. It’s important in these
M: That’s what happened in my last
forums to allow everybody the opportunity to
company. Innovation was happening, but it

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 Tests audioscript

increase our sustainability. The Biomimicry

was so slow because the incentives weren’t
Institute was founded in 2006 and is working
there and my colleagues were not motivated
with educators to help teach the next
to make any changes because they would
generations about how nature can help with
still receive the same compensation. I know
our design problems. The team even
it’s not something that we can implement
launched a website called AskNature which
right away, but I think we should strongly
features a catalogue of nature’s solutions to
recommend a restructuring to a system
challenges.
whereby …
When one discusses natural capital, we are
[BP_C1_Test_02_01_mp3] talking about natural assets such as soil,
water and air. Natural capitalism, therefore,
1
describes an economy in which business
Thank you very much for joining the meeting
and environmental interests intertwine. One
today, I really appreciate it.
of their key principles is to improve the
2
productivity of natural resources. They
I just need to check – does this make sense
believe that these kinds of resources can be
to you?
made to last much longer than they
3
currently do. In addition to this, because of
If you look at the opening statement of your
the inevitability of human growth and
document, you will see our intentions.
expansion, the demands on natural
4
resources will become greater, so there is a
The objective of this is to provide you with
need to regenerate and restore these
transparency about what is going on in the
extremely important resources.
company.
5
The industrial ecology school of thought
I understand and respect your concerns
aims to eliminate waste streams and the
over the merger and that is why we are
throwaway society. They want to be able to
meeting today.
utilise waste as an input by creating closed-
[BP_C1_Test_02_02_mp3] loop processes. This, therefore, stops the
build-up of waste. The concept overlaps
with ideas from natural capitalism – using
As we have already seen, there are
waste as an input or returning it harmlessly
numerous advantages to the circular
to the ecosystem, sort of feeding it back into
economy and how it can benefit society.
the natural cycle. The approach was mainly
However, there are also different schools of
developed as a way to understand how
thought based around the principles of the
industry affects the environment around it.
circular economy, and I want to briefly look
Industrial ecologists believe that industrial
at a couple of these now.
systems can work more efficiently if all
avenues of investigation are explored.
One of these innovative and forward-
thinking approaches is that of biomimicry.
As you might guess from the name, ‘bio’ for [BP_C1_Test_03_01_mp3]
biology and nature and ‘mimicry’, to imitate,
1
this approach aims to examine nature to find
Can I just focus on that key point? It’s
the best solutions to human problems and
imperative we’re on the same page here.
then imitate those designs and processes.
2
Biomimicry sees nature as possessing three
We get what we asked for but have
key elements: as a model, a measure, and
compromised so the manufacturers also get
as a mentor. From the outset, this approach
a good deal.
embraces what nature can teach us to help
3

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 Tests audioscript

have quite a few invitations from companies

I’m a little unsure of the terms of the
aimed at promoting health, and these range
agreement.
from health clubs to the heavily-market
4
saturated energy drinks. However, the one
Would you be willing to consider extending
that caught my eye was a small start-up
the lease for another year?
company providing healthy reading material
5
for schoolchildren. I thought it was such a
Do you think that sounds like a fair
good idea that I wasn’t too interested in
compromise?
what it would yield – I just knew I wanted to
[BP_C1_Test_03_02_mp3] be involved.
5
1
I was specifically looking for a low-risk
I knew that it was very much a high-risk
investment that I could reap the rewards
investment, but that’s the kind of backer I
from. It didn’t matter to me what kind of
am. I had helped companies before with
business it was, just as long as they could
their research and development, such as
guarantee the type of yield and ROI I was
mobile phones and intelligent software, but
interested in. Therefore, I ploughed a lot of
getting into the energy business was
money into an online gaming platform. I
something I had always wanted to do. When
knew that this particular industry was due
I found out that it was connected to a
another explosion in the near future and I
different type of wind production, they
wanted to be part of it.
couldn’t sign me up fast enough.
6
2
After being on the trading floor for a number
I never thought I would end up in the beauty
of years and making good deals for my
business – I’d always been involved in oil
employers, I wanted to make a good deal
and other fossil fuel production, but since
for myself. I ensured that I was free of any
the shift to alternative fuels, I decided to get
possible accusations of insider trading – I’ve
out of that business. I was approached by a
seen how brutal the business can be. There
team who had created a new type of face
was a game developer I was very interested
cream for men. They promised me a good
in, but we just couldn’t agree on terms, so
return on my investment, so after
unfortunately that deal fell through. A make-
considering all they had to offer, I decided to
up brand also just sent me a ballpark figure
give it a go and now I’m the sole backer for
of what they were looking for, so I turned
their whole range of products.
that down in favour of a relatively low-risk
3
investment in a bakery company.
Phones and mobile software were always
7
interesting to me, but I could never find the
Nowadays, people don’t take any notice
right kind of forward-thinking company to get
when I say I’m in the building industry,
involved with. That was before I met the
mainly because I make solid and canny
team at GreenComMobile. Not only do they
investments. I’m known nationwide for my
supply their customers with an excellent
business acumen and decision-making
service, but they also make their own
skills. I didn’t think I would make such a
handsets. What really attracted me to their
success of this business life – I wanted to
business is their commitment to giving back
be a best-selling writer, but there’s still time
to the community and to people in need.
for that.
We’re making money, but also donating it at
the same time. [BP_C1_Test_04_01_mp3]
4
1
My background is in vitamins for health,
I’ve heard of a new app which is becoming
both researching the benefits and
very popular, especially in Asia and
developing new, more robust vitamins. I
particularly Singapore, where you can hail a

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 Tests audioscript

are solely interested in working- or

taxi or see when the next bus is arriving. I
businesspeople.
think you can also book train tickets with the
app, too. Apparently, they’re going to try and
branch out into the financial business, but [BP_C1_Test_05_01_mp3]
for people with little credit so that could be a
1
lucrative market. It might not be the most
Thanks for making yourself available. I
pioneering idea, but I imagine they will make
appreciate being able to meet while I’m in
a fair bit of profit.
the city.
2
2
The disruptor I’m most interested in uses
Do we need to consult you on all aspects of
digital innovation to a degree I never
the delivery chain?
thought possible. I’m a first-time home
3
buyer, and I needed to get insurance for my
What was the overall company expenditure
house. I wish I had known about this service
on utilities over the last three years?
before I spent ages trying to arrange my
4
own. There’s this new company which uses
Does anyone have any ideas for how we
artificial intelligence and chatbots for people
can improve our productivity?
to sort out their policy and to guide them
5
through any claims they might have. Not
We need to address the delivery issues
only that, but the moral philosophy of the
we’ve been experiencing from your end.
company is great – they donate any leftover
money to a charity of the customer’s
choosing. [BP_C1_Test_05_02_mp3]
3
There’s an estate agency that has been Work and business are inextricably tied to
recently set up, and it promises to take the money. We work for pay and daily working
stress out of selling your home for you, life involves monetary transactions: we
although I don’t think that’s really possible. recommend others for pay rises, we set
Whenever I’ve sold a home, it’s always rates for our time and we negotiate budgets.
been stressful. The company will take a Yet many of us feel uncomfortable talking
nominal fee from the sale of your house in about and asking for money at work. There
exchange for their services and they are many reasons for this but perhaps the
guarantee to sell within ten days. I’m not most important one is that employees often
sure I completely believe that. They also say lack information: we do not know how much
they don’t show the house to prospective we are worth, how much others are paid,
buyers, which I don’t like – I’d prefer a more how much employers are willing to pay us.
human touch. With such a disadvantage, the process of
4 talking about money becomes daunting – at
I’ve been very impressed with a start-up the very least we become unsure of how to
who is completely focused on helping start the conversation and what to ask for.
students out with their financial needs. I
think they initially started out as refinancing The relationship you have with your
loans, but they have since diversified into employer can exacerbate this information
offering other packages such as mortgages haze. If you have a good relationship with
and personal loans. Although I hope that your boss, you may feel that talking about
young people don’t need this kind of money could damage it, which could then
service, I generally think it’s an excellent affect both your daily experience and long-
idea to help millennials with financial term career prospects. Equally, if you do not
problems, especially as a lot of the banks have a great relationship with your
manager, queries about money could
jeopardise your position.

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uncomfortable. But you are not alone and

can learn from a fantastic wealth of
Putting all of this together, it is unsurprising
research. If you don’t ask, you don’t get – a
that talking about and asking for money is
trite but true saying, so prepare thoroughly
something many people dread. There is,
and ask politely.
however, a lot of research that can help us
do it more effectively and confidently. Here
is the best advice: 1. Arm yourself with [BP_C1_Test_06_01_mp3]
information. In salary negotiations, think
The city of Palermo in Sicily, an island off
about what you are worth. This means
the south coast of Italy, proves how much
knowing what those in your position are paid
can change when people have the vision
– online salary surveys can be very helpful.
and courage to make it happen. In the past,
You may never have perfect information.
corruption and violence was a huge problem
But the more you can get, the clearer,
in Palermo, but in 2004 a protest by the
stronger and more rational your arguments
owners of a new bar against the criminal
will be.
gangs proved to be a catalyst for change.
Other businesses joined their campaign
2. Consider getting another offer. Even
and, thanks to local people, and the
more powerful than information is having
remarkable politicians they elected, the city
another job offer. Although it can be draining
has been transformed. As a result of this
to secure interviews and a job offer, having
transformation Palermo was rewarded by
an alternative opportunity is incredibly
being named Italy’s capital of culture in
useful. An outside offer provides a very
2018, and the same year it hosted
concrete and undeniable benchmark of your
Manifesta, which is considered to be
worth.
Europe’s most prestigious art festival and is
held in a different country every couple of
3. Prepare thoroughly and make the first
years.
offer. Once you have gathered information,
considered alternatives and thought about
Over the course of the festival, tens of
all the issues you want to discuss, consider
thousands of tourists visited the city to
the minimum you would be willing to accept,
experience a wide range of artworks
as well as your ideal package. Although
specially commissioned around the themes
there is often debate about who should
of migration, climate change, and the way
make the first offer, research clearly shows
communities are being impacted by these
that making the first bid allows you to
issues. Palermo’s mayor welcomed the
‘anchor’ discussions in your favour.
festival as an opportunity for the city to
breathe new life into both its local and
4. A final thought is to consider who to ask.
national identity, and the income generated
Speak to the person who cares most about
by increased tourist numbers has been
helping you and the person who can push
spent on further cultural, artistic and tourist-
for things to happen. With luck, this is the
boosting activities.
same person. If not, you may have to think
about asking the individual who cares about
Despite the fact they are sometimes
you to help you approach the decision
accused by critics of being a waste of
maker. Remember to ask politely and to find
money, bids to host events such as
a time that is convenient for the other side.
Manifesta can clearly bring real benefits to
As an extreme example, rudely laying down
the city that’s chosen. For starters, grants
an ultimatum just before your boss has a
usually become available and, if invested
board meeting is best avoided. When it
wisely, this money can put places firmly on
comes to talking about and asking for
the map and bring in more visitors in the
money, we all get nervous and
future. Perhaps even more important,

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3
though, is the impact on local residents,
In fact, I was the one causing conflict in my
many of whom end up visiting cultural
old company. I was doing a job that I wasn’t
events for the first time in their lives. What’s
enjoying and so I didn’t do a lot of work
more, it’s been shown that a winning bid
which meant that colleagues around me had
boosts local levels of well-being, confidence
to take up the slack for what I wasn’t doing. I
and pride, which, it could be argued, is
can see now that I caused major problems
priceless.
for the company and it wasn’t until I spoke
to my line manager that I realised I was in
[BP_C1_Test_07_01_mp3] the wrong job. Now I’m much happier.
4
1
I can talk about this now because I’ve left
It is important that whatever we say here
the firm where this happened. I was
remains constructive and focused on a
appointed head of the marketing team, and
solution.
it was a brand-new team – only put together
2
a couple of weeks before my appointment. I
So, is the main issue for you a problem of
thought that I would have a clear description
communication?
of what was expected of me, but I had
3
nothing like this from management no
I’d like to talk to you about the conflict within
matter how many times I asked. After a
the team.
couple of months, I decided enough was
4
enough.
As a way forward, we can agree to be more
5
open and honest with each other.
I understand completely that in a sales role,
5
you are driven by targets and quite often,
What do you suggest as a possible solution
these targets are set by your line managers.
to the situation?
I remember this one time last year, we had
[BP_C1_Test_07_02_mp3] a newly-promoted team leader, and he was
very keen to show management that the
1
right decision had been made. To this end,
There was a new guy in the office, and from
he set us incredible targets to reach that at
the start, we just clashed and didn’t get on.
the time were impossible to get. It really set
There’s a fine line between arrogance and
the team back and it was only after
confidence, and I think he was just on the
intervention by management that he
side of arrogance. I wasn’t the only team
realised his management style had to
member to feel that way. We had built up a
change.
solid team and for someone new to come in
6
and shake things up in a negative way was
I’m glad that I managed to bring about a
disheartening.
change in the company I work for. I was
2
getting increasingly frustrated that it seemed
I had only been with the company for a
to be only male colleagues who were getting
couple of months before I noticed some of
put up for promotion and special benefits.
the negative response to me. I suppose my
There are many female colleagues in my
background at Oxford had rankled some
workplace who do the same job, work just
people and they thought I was only there
as hard and sometimes achieve better
trying to get one up on them. I noticed that
results than their male colleagues, so I
mistakes within my team that I hadn’t made
brought this up with management. An
were being pinned on me. It was completely
investigation was launched and now it
unfair, so I had a confidential meeting with
appears that the company has turned a
my superiors and eventually it got sorted out
corner.
and the team is working well together.
7

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M: Now, getting on to your weaknesses.

In my first job, I was an office junior in a
What aspect of your job do you think you
solicitor’s office. I had visions of becoming a
are weaker at?
lawyer in the future, however, I was very
F: I find this much easier than thinking about
new to the world of work, and I didn’t realise
strengths. Umm … I need to take more time
how everything worked. One of the senior
to fill out the paperwork, especially when the
partners had been with the company for
deliveries come in – I’m sure I’ve made a
years and she was very set in her ways. If
few mistakes. I also think I need to improve
things weren’t done her way, she would
my communication skills with management
become very personal and attack me, not in
via email. Sometimes I feel I’m not listening
a physical way, but emotionally. So much so
enough to my team members …
that I didn’t want to go to work anymore. It
M: Frank, let me stop you there. I think
taught me a lot about how management
you’re being too tough on yourself. Your
should behave.
self-belief might have improved
8
tremendously, but there’s still some way to
I was thrilled to have been given a
go. All the things you mention are valid
promotion to line manager, especially when
points, but they are fairly minor issues.
I had only been with the company for about
F: Yes, maybe you are right. So, what do
a year. I knew I had worked hard enough,
you think my biggest weakness is?
and everything was clear about my new
M: After talking with colleagues, and putting
position and what I needed to do. However,
aside your confidence issues, I think it’s the
I feel they had underprepared me for the
lack of experience because you’ve only
role. I was told I would attend courses to
been in the position for a couple of months.
gain new qualifications, but these never
You could do all the qualifications needed,
happened.
but it’s really only experience that counts –
[BP_C1_Test_08_01_mp3] in this role anyway. Do you know why many
supervisors choose to leave?
F = Frank, M = Manager
F: Is it because of the salary …?
M: Right, moving on to the next stage of the
M: Frank, I’ll take that as a joke. No, they
appraisal process. What do you see as your
quit because they don’t give themselves
strengths in your current role as floor
enough time to settle into the role, and that
supervisor?
can take up to six months, especially in a
F: I’m not very good at picking out my
role of responsibility. Sure, I think we can be
strengths, but I would say that I’ve improved
doing more to support them, but that’s not
my leadership skills from being on the floor.
the reason they go.
I think I still have a lot more to learn, but I’ve
F: Well, I’m very persistent and goal
been happy with how I’ve been progressing,
oriented. I want to become a more effective
and the people around me seem to respond
employee and I hope I’m going in the right
well to me.
direction.
M: We would have to agree. You’ve made
M: Definitely. I have you pinned as a rising
some excellent progress in many areas, not
star in the company. I believe that if we
just your leadership skills. You have been
support you well enough, you’ll have a very
working hard on delegation and
bright future with us here. What was a
encouraging your team, but I believe I’ve
mystery to me is why it took so long for you
seen most improvement in your self-belief.
to apply for promotion, but now I can see
You believe you can do this job and do it
that it was just a lack of confidence.
well, and that’s a real pleasure to see.
F: Yes, you’re right about that. Earlier you
F: Thank you very much. It’s nice to hear
mentioned that I didn’t need qualifications,
some recognition. It’s what I like to do with
but as I was preparing for this meeting, it
my team – tell them when I think they’ve
occurred to me that I’d like to do some more
done a good job.

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studying. Are there any courses or

certificates you would suggest?
M: That’s really good to hear – we certainly
wouldn’t discourage anyone from furthering
their education, and if it’s vocation-based,
then all the better. I wouldn’t recommend
any higher management courses yet, I think
that’s a bit too early at the moment, but how
about an introduction to leadership course?
I think that will help your confidence and
make you even more effective within the
team.

© 2020 Pearson Education PHOTOCOPIABLE 8