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Reading 1/2:
Read the article below about a bicycle manufacturing company. For each question, choose the correct answer.
John Stone likes to watch people's faces as they pass by his office and see his bicycle outside. It's not that it's a racing machine: in fact, it's not easy to lift and it's far from small. Nor is it anywhere near the upper end of bike prices it sells for only about £600. But it attracts attention because it is electric and that makes it faster than an ordinary bike.B
His company. JS Supabyke, started in 1999. 'I saw an electric bike advertised, got one and rode it around the city.' says Stone. 'People wanted to know how much it cost and where they could get one. He realised this was a business opportunity and told everyone, without doing any research, that 'the bikes were £500 and would be available soon.'The Supabyke was instantly popular. A recent survey of electric bicycle owners showed that the average Supabyke covered 2.300 km per annum, replaced three car journeys per week, and in the morning rush hour traffic it provided a journey time
faster than a bus. Another independent survey showed that everyday expenses were lower than those of rival products. Best of all, with a JS Supabyke, you don't need a driving license and there are no parking problems!The company now wants to expand overseas. Stone has the capacity to meet the demand and he believes he would only need one or two more staff. At present he has ten staff looking after sales, marketing and logistics. Production facilities in Asia would be able to increase output quickly. 'We don't need a lot of R and D and our overheads are extremely manageable, 'he says, 'as JS Supabyke shares an office with a recruitment agency run by my wife.'Stone has managed to pay back funding he received from a venture capital company and is now in charge. The board consists of him and three other people, but he says this will have to change in the future. 'We will have to look outside for investment and I am going to have to look at our board. We need people who have a deeper understanding of the business, especially of export markets.'He is now thinking of upgrading the company's website so that customers can easily access information about the Supabyke. Currently the website is receiving over 10.000 hits a month and they are expecting to have twice as many when the upgrade is complete. Things are looking good for the company.
Next Reading
1) What makes John Stone's bicycle stand out?
A. It's a racing machine.
B. It's extremely expensive.C. It's very small and lightweight.
D. It's an electric bicycle.
How does John Stone plan to expand his business overseas?
by conducting extensive research on foreign markets
2)2ABCDby partnering with his wife's recruitment agency
by hiring more staff for sales and marketing
by increasing his production facilities in Asia
3) John Stone set up JS Supabyke because A. he realised the bikes would be easy to make.
B. a market research firm advised him to.C. he could see there was a demand.
D. there was no competitor in the market.
) Why will John Stone make 4 changes to JS Supabyke's board?
A. He has to include someone from the venture capital company.
B. He is unhappy with the present board's performance.He needs to take on someone experienced in selling abroad.
BC
D. The board has no new ideas.
5) What does John Stone believe the company needs in terms of investment and expertise for future growth?A. Individuals possessing a more profound grasp of the industry, particularly in international markets ABCD A significant amount of research and development on new products to be sold in international markets More funding from venture capital companies to create new products
A larger board of directors to oversee operations
6) The Supabyke is popular because A. it is easier to park than other electric bikes.
B. it is cheaper to run than other electric bikes.it in noitahin
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