LIVING STRATEGY AND DEATH OF

THE-FIVE-YEAR PLAN
Stefan Stern
Activity 4: Replace the words in italic in these sentences
with the words or phrases from the article in the box.
1. thriving
2. sharp
3. free-flowing
4. hardly
5. are alive to
Activity 5: Read the article again and complete this summary, using
between one and three words in each gap.
According to the article, old-style strategic planning is a thing of the
past. However, beyond trying to survive, companies do need a
(economic)
growth ,even in periods of(2) …………………………,
strategy for (1) ………… recession
recovery
in order to ensure healthy (3) …………. and competitive
advantage.
In a paper on strategic development, experts at Boston Consulting
adaptive
Group talk about the concept of (4) …………………
advantage They argue good
relevant
companies act in five key ways: they respond to (5) ………………… very
data/signals/changes
network of
fast; they try to work with (6) ……………………………..;
partners/valuable partners they perceive
society/customer
changes in (7) ………………………
preferences ; they trial their goods and services
people/
talent/
effectively; and they work with the best (8) ………….. Strategy has
resourceflexible/
changed, and companies need to be more (9) …………..
dynamic/
adaptive
Activity 6: Discuss these questions

1. Who do you think is the intended audience of the article?

The primary audience would appear to be business leaders and senior

executives who are involved in strategic planning in their companies.
2. What is the writer’s purpose? Is there more than one, e.g. to
explain/persuade?

There appear to be a number of purposes:

a) to inform readers that old-style strategy planning is no longer
viable and to explain why that is
b) to persuade readers that a strategy for growth is always necessary
c) to inform readers about the latest thinking in strategy planning
and how some companies are applying a new style of strategy
d) to motivate business leaders to take these ideas on board.
3. Are there any quotations used in the article? For what purpose are
the quotations used?

Yes, the writer quotes two expert sources throughout the article (see
paragraphs 2, 4, 5 and 8, 9, 10) to add weight to his purpose.
 
4. What emphatic techniques are used? Are any repeated?

He uses rhetorical questions - twice at the start of a paragraph (1 and

6) and twice at the end (3 and 8).
He contrasts points several times, especially in the opening and
closing paragraphs (e.g. Chief strategy offers will deny it ... But markets
are predictable. If old style strategy formulation is not exactly dead,
then it is hardly in the best of health.). A third technique is the use of
adverbs for emphasis through the text (e.g. hardly, simply,
unsurprisingly, quickly. effectively). He also uses examples from real
companies to emphasize his points.
 
Reading 2

The Job of Business Minister Is To

Put The Future First
John Kay
Activity 4: Decide whether these statements about words and
expressions are True or False
a) False (You think about it deeply and for a long time.)
b) False (They have only just come out of school.)
c) True
d) True
e) False (It is of no importance because it is not related to what is being
considered or discussed.)
f) True
Activity 5: Verb Noun

confuse confusion

pervade pervasiveness

legislate legislation

lobby lobbyist (person lobbying)

hire hire (person hired, esp. AmE)

associate association
Activity 6: Answer the questions
a) To promote markets, rather than reward leaders of existing
businesses
b) No, because leaders of new businesses will take 20 years to emerge,
by which time the minister will probably no longer be in the job.
c) They shouldn't subsidise existing research and development, but
encourage new entrants to develop new processes and products.
Activity 7: Find words and expressions that mean the following:
a) toxic combination
b) acquisitions
c) mergers
d) corporate reporting
e) obsession
f) executive remuneration
Activity 8: Choose the best ending
In setting its industrial strategy, a government should ...
a) try to choose future winners and losers.
b) encourage innovation and facilitate new entrants.
c) honour leaders of successful companies while
encouraging new ones.