UNIT3 >> ENERGY generally to reach decisions in meetings? you attend? informative, “OK, all those in favour of delegating decision-making, shrug your shoulders.” carrying them out. 4). 122 they decide to do? box below. 4 Would it 2 Pmnot 3 So,we. 4 That said,1 all the facts. ‘we should Here's a 6 I'm Alain disagree indirectly? to discuss your proposals and make d Student 8: Turn to page 150. Student C: Turn to page 159. PUTTING FORWARD PROPOSALS We could consider... ‘One option would be to... The best course of action is to Yes, but I'm not convinced that... ‘Another way of looking at its that. EMPHASISING A POINT {do think it’s important to act quickly. We just can't afford to. | know | keep going on about this, but.. DISAGREEING INDIRECTLY I'm not so sure | agree with you there. I see things a little differently from you. 26 D_ 4ico1.22 Complete these expressions from the m if necessary. Match the expressions with the sections in the Useful language How often do you attend decision-making meetings? How easy is it Which of these statements best describes what happens in meetings Decisions are already made by the managers beforehand. Most meetings are just Meetings are generally the best place to take important decisions. Not everyone's opinion carries equal weight when we're deciding issues. It takes a lot of convincing for me to change my mind during a meeting ‘Arguing isa healthy part of trying to solve problems and reach decisions. It's not always clear what decisions have been made, or who is responsible for Humour is a good way to release tension during heated discussions at meetings. 8 Participants are sometimes reluctant to put forward proposals because they ten to an extract from a meeting between three managers at an oil company: Alain, Tony and Caroline. What has happened, and what do ig. Then listen ag 10 close the refinery for a while? we want to disrupt production at this look into what’s going on there urgently. ‘a decision until we have ‘an investigation team first. ‘that another incident may not be so. X_ Why co you think Tony phrases his first proposal as a question? Why does l_ Work in groups of three. Look at your information and hold meetings in order ns. Student A: Look at your information on the opposite page. Penn AVOIDING MAKING DECISIONS Let’s not make any hasty decisions. Let’s keep our options open. We should think this through a bit more, 1'm in two minds about it, really.Energy saving at Tumalet Software A leading software company is developing strategies to reduce energy bills and operating costs Tumalet isa large software company based in California's Silicon Valley. ‘The company’s headquarters spans four bulldings and comprises over ° it 90,000 square metres of office space. ‘Tumalet is committed to improving energy efficiency and reducing its CO, emissions as part ofits sustainable business strategy. Over the past five years, the company has invested half a milion dollars in energy projects, which have resulted in US $600,000 in savings, a total return on investment of 120 per cent. recent downturn in business and rapidly escalating electricity and {ga prices are forcing the company to ind new ways to reduce energy casts and minimise the impact of price increases on its operations. HE 25%. ofce equipment Mis Cooking Read this article, What initiatives have enabled Tumalet to reduce energy costs so far? Green business makes sense Commercial and residential buldings area major source of energy consumption Acordng to the non-profit group, the Us cree Business Counc they gobble up ove one-third of the eer produced inthe US and account for 38 perce of Bl carbon dixie emissions, Not ust that’s estimated that 2s much as 30 percent ofthe energy consumed in office bulngs is wasted. Companies once concerned about the affordably of sustainable business have found tat green nitiativs are {20d forthe bottom ine ar wea the environment For the pas five years Tumalet hasbeen improving energy etficienty atts Californian headquarter Some ofthe eros are surpiingly quick and simple By switching to low-energy bubs and diringhalay iting ding te dy. to mate the mostof | — natural light, the company made immediate savings on electricity bills The company's low-cost policies of turing things of, turning, ‘things down, and keeping up with cleaning and maintenance has ‘generated significant savings. 40 c01.23 Listen to part of a meeting between Tumalet's Sustainable Business Manager, joanne Hopper, and the Energy Project Team. Make alist of action points for them to work on.UNITS: ENERGY Look at this article. How does this news affect Tumalet? California utility expands rebates afc Gas & Electric is expanding a program that provides customers are intrested, said Mark Bramfit, the Head of financial incentives for companies to cut thelr energy use. PGBs customer energy-effiiency program. PG&E, which serves much of Northern and Central California grannfitt sees rebate programs as beneficial for both utilities including Silicon Valley. has set aside USS50 milion to spend and their customers. Utilities can save money by avoiding ‘on a set of rebates and incentives over the next three years. construction costs for new power plants or buying electricity Those rebates wil goto customers who employ enersy- at higher rates during pea times from other utilities, while saving technologies, such as high-efficiency power supplies. businesses get to offset the cost o installing energy-saving ‘That's up from the $7 milion PG&E doled out last year, technologies that can reduce ther electricity bil and the utility can increase the money available if enough Work in groups of three. You are members ofthe Energy Project Team at Tumalet. You have been asked to investigate and propose some energy-saving ideas. 1 Read your information and prepare to present it to your colleagues at the meeting. Student A: Look at your information below. Student B: Turn to page 150. Student C: Tuen to page 159. Student A ‘Enabling staff to work virtually from hom reduces office occupancy and energy costs. © Planting gr .nd other plants on the roof will act as natural insulation and reduce heating bil ‘© By contriouting money to carbon-offset projects ~ such as forest planting ~ ‘compensate for its CO, emissions. company can 2. Hold a meeting to devise an energy strategy for your company. Use the agenda below. Decide who will chair the meeting. ENERGY PROJECT TEAM MEETING ‘Agenda 1. Ways to encourage staff involvement in energy efficiency 2 Options for reducing and offsetting CO, emissions 3. Feasible sources of renewable energy and benefits 4 Schedule for short-term and long-term measures to save energy 5 Other measures as part of its sustainable business strategy (e.g. waste management, product packaging, transportation, water conservation) 6 AOB Watch the Case study commentary on the DVD-ROM. Writing Asamember ofthe Energy Project Team, write ‘report for Joanne Hopper outlining the options you considered and your recommendations for improving your company's energy efficiency. Writing file pages 146-147