John has to postpone his meeting until Friday.
John will be late for his meeting on Tuesday.
John hopes to see Jane on Tuesday.
第1题:
John Pentanol was appointed as risk manager at H&Z Company a year ago and he decided that his first task was to examine the risks that faced the company. He concluded that the company faced three major risks, which he assessed by examining the impact that would occur if the risk were to materialise. He assessed Risk 1 as being of low potential impact as even if it materialised it would have little effect on the company’s strategy. Risk 2 was assessed as being of medium potential impact whilst a third risk, Risk 3, was assessed as being of very high potential impact.
When John realised the potential impact of Risk 3 materialising, he issued urgent advice to the board to withdraw from the activity that gave rise to Risk 3 being incurred. In the advice he said that the impact of Risk 3 was potentially enormous and it would be irresponsible for H&Z to continue to bear that risk.
The company commercial director, Jane Xylene, said that John Pentanol and his job at H&Z were unnecessary and that risk management was ‘very expensive for the benefits achieved’. She said that all risk managers do is to tell people what can’t be done and that they are pessimists by nature. She said she wanted to see entrepreneurial risk takers in H&Z and not risk managers who, she believed, tended to discourage enterprise.
John replied that it was his job to eliminate all of the highest risks at H&Z Company. He said that all risk was bad and needed to be eliminated if possible. If it couldn’t be eliminated, he said that it should be minimised.
(a) The risk manager has an important role to play in an organisation’s risk management.
Required:
(i) Describe the roles of a risk manager. (4 marks)
(ii) Assess John Pentanol’s understanding of his role. (4 marks)
(b) With reference to a risk assessment framework as appropriate, criticise John’s advice that H&Z should
withdraw from the activity that incurs Risk 3. (6 marks)
(c) Jane Xylene expressed a particular view about the value of risk management in H&Z Company. She also said that she wanted to see ‘entrepreneurial risk takers’.
Required:
(i) Define ‘entrepreneurial risk’ and explain why it is important to accept entrepreneurial risk in business
organisations; (4 marks)
(ii) Critically evaluate Jane Xylene’s view of risk management. (7 marks)
(a) (i) Roles of a risk manager
Providing overall leadership, vision and direction, involving the establishment of risk management (RM) policies,
establishing RM systems etc. Seeking opportunities for improvement or tightening of systems.
Developing and promoting RM competences, systems, culture, procedures, protocols and patterns of behaviour. It is
important to understand that risk management is as much about instituting and embedding risk systems as much as
issuing written procedure. The systems must be capable of accurate risk assessment which seem not to be the case at
H&Z as he didn’t account for variables other than impact/hazard.
Reporting on the above to management and risk committee as appropriate. Reporting information should be in a form
able to be used for the generation of external reporting as necessary. John’s issuing of ‘advice’ will usually be less useful
than full reporting information containing all of the information necessary for management to decide on risk policy.
Ensuring compliance with relevant codes, regulations, statutes, etc. This may be at national level (e.g. Sarbanes Oxley)
or it may be industry specific. Banks, oil, mining and some parts of the tourism industry, for example, all have internal
risk rules that risk managers are required to comply with.
[Tutorial note: do not reward bullet lists. Study texts both use lists but question says ‘describe’.]
(ii) John Pentanol’s understanding of his role
John appears to misunderstand the role of a risk manager in four ways.
Whereas the establishment of RM policies is usually the most important first step in risk management, John launched
straight into detailed risk assessments (as he saw it). It is much more important, initially, to gain an understanding of
the business, its strategies, controls and risk exposures. The assessment comes once the policy has been put in place.
It is important for the risk manager to report fully on the risks in the organisation and John’s issuing of ‘advice’ will usually
be less useful than full reporting information. Full reporting would contain all of the information necessary for
management to decide on risk policy.
He told Jane Xylene that his role as risk manager involved eliminating ‘all of the highest risks at H&Z Company’ which
is an incorrect view. Jane Xylene was correct to say that entrepreneurial risk was important, for example.
The risk manager is an operational role in a company such as H&Z Company and it will usually be up to senior
management to decide on important matters such as withdrawal from risky activities. John was being presumptuous
and overstepping his role in issuing advice on withdrawal from Risk 3. It is his job to report on risks to senior
management and for them to make such decisions based on the information he provides.
(b) Criticise John’s advice
The advice is based on an incomplete and flawed risk assessment. Most simple risk assessment frameworks comprise at least
two variables of which impact or hazard is only one. The other key variable is probability. Risk impact has to be weighed
against probability and the fact that a risk has a high potential impact does not mean the risk should be avoided as long as
the probability is within acceptable limits. It is the weighted combination of hazard/impact and probability that forms the basis
for meaningful risk assessment.
John appears to be very certain of his impact assessments but the case does not tell us on what information the assessment
is made. It is important to recognise that ‘hard’ data is very difficult to obtain on both impact and probability. Both measures
are often made with a degree of assumption and absolute measures such as John’s ranking of Risks 1, 2 and 3 are not as
straightforward as he suggests.
John also overlooks a key strategic reason for H&Z bearing the risks in the first place, which is the return achievable by the
bearing of risk. Every investment and business strategy carries a degree of risk and this must be weighed against the financial
return that can be expected by the bearing of the risk.
(c) (i) Define ‘entrepreneurial risk’
Entrepreneurial risk is the necessary risk associated with any new business venture or opportunity. It is most clearly seen
in entrepreneurial business activity, hence its name. In ‘Ansoff’ terms, entrepreneurial risk is expressed in terms of the
unknowns of the market/customer reception of a new venture or of product uncertainties, for example product design,
construction, etc. There is also entrepreneurial risk in uncertainties concerning the competences and skills of the
entrepreneurs themselves.
Entrepreneurial risk is necessary, as Jane Xylene suggested, because it is from taking these risks that business
opportunities arise. The fact that the opportunity may not be as hoped does not mean it should not be pursued. Any
new product, new market development or new activity is a potential source of entrepreneurial risk but these are also the
sources of future revenue streams and hence growth in company value.
(ii) Critically evaluate Jane Xylene’s view of risk management
There are a number of arguments against risk management in general. These arguments apply against the totality of risk
management and also of the employment of inappropriate risk measures.
There is a cost associated with all elements of risk management which must obviously be borne by the company.
Disruption to normal organisational practices and procedures as risk systems are complied with.
Slowing (introducing friction to) the seizing of new business opportunities or the development of internal systems as they
are scrutinised for risk.
‘STOP’ errors can occur as a result of risk management systems where a practice or opportunity has been stopped on
the grounds of its risk when it should have been allowed to proceed. This may be the case with Risk 3 in the case.
(Contrast with ‘GO’ errors which are the opposite of STOP errors.)
There are also arguments for risk management people and systems in H&Z. The most obvious benefit is that an effective
risk system identifies those risks that could detract from the achievements of the company’s strategic objectives. In this
respect, it can prevent costly mistakes by advising against those actions that may lose the company value. It also has
the effect of reassuring investors and capital markets that the company is aware of and is in the process of managing
its risks. Where relevant, risk management is necessary for compliance with codes, listing rules or statutory instruments.
第2题:
A、Thank you, Ms. Lin. I’ve come to see your packing for our woolen gloves.
B、Hello, my name is John Taylor, but just call me John.
C、This is John Taylor.
第3题:
JOHN:Thank you for agreeing to meet with me today.
DANIEL: __1___
JOHN:I can see from your resume you were __2___
DANIEL:Sure.
JOHN:___3__
DANIEL:Yes. I was in charge of the northwest region of China. As a manager, I was responsible for a 50% increase in sales over a three-month period.
JOHN:___4__
DANIEL:Thanks.
JOHN:What are the key reasons that helped you to achieve such an outstanding increase
DANIEL:__5___
A.Can you please tell me about your responsibilities
B.I believe teamwork is important.
C.Thank you for inviting me.
D.in charge of sales for Corporate Pan-Asia from 2008 to 201
E.Very impressive.
答案:CDAEB
解析:根据原文意思,对话内容补全应是如下场景:
约翰:谢谢你同意今天和我见面。
丹尼尔:谢谢你邀请我_
约翰:从你的简历上可以看出你2008年至201年负责公司泛亚的销售工作。
丹尼尔:。
约翰:你能告诉我你的工作职责吗?
丹尼尔:好的。我负责中国西北地区。作为一名经理,我在三个月内使公司的销售额增长了50%。
约翰:非常令人印象深刻。
丹尼尔:谢谢。
约翰:帮你在业绩上明显提高的主要原因是什么?
丹尼尔:我认为团队合作很重要。
A、你能告诉我你的工作职责吗
B、我认为团队合作很重要。
C、谢谢你邀请我。
D、2008年至201年负责公司泛亚的销售工作。
E、非常令人印象深刻。
第4题:
---I’d love to invite you to dinner, John. Let’s make it Saturday if it is convenient to you.--- ______. I can’t wait to see you.
A. That’s great
B. Please don’t
C. Thanks for your dinner
D. I’d rather not
第5题:
John: Well, it's getting late. Maybe we could get together some other time.
Harry: _________.
A、Take it easy
B、Nice to see you back
C、Sounds good
D、I'll give you a call
E、Yes,I've enjoyed it
第6题:
24.________ in Grade Eight now.
A. John and his sister are both
B. John is
C. John's sister is
D. Michael is
第7题:
第8题:
This is John.()
AOh, I have never seen you.
BYes, I am glad.
CHello, John. Nice to meet you.
DHow are you?
第9题:
can you tell me the weather tomorrow?
what should the weather be like tomorrow?
do you know what the weather will be like tomorrow?
how’s the weather like tomorrow?
第10题:
Oh, I have never seen you.
Yes, I am glad.
Hello, John. Nice to meet you.
How are you?
第11题:
John has to postpone his meeting until Friday.
John will be late for his meeting on Tuesday.
John hopes to see Jane on Tuesday.
第12题:
Where did you go in Xi’ an?
How did you go to Xi’ an?
What do you think of Xi’ an?
When would you like to visit Xi’ an again?
第13题:
John: Let's go fishing tomorrow. I'll wake you up at 4:00 a. m.
Rose: ______
60.答案为E 首先应读懂上文,后进行逻辑推理、选择填充词句。上文意为“明天我们去钓鱼吧。明天早上4点我叫醒你。”所填充的词句意为“太早了。”
第14题:
JOHN: Good morning, Linda. There’ll be some people visiting our company tomorrow. Please make a detailed schedule for me.
LINDA: Could you tell me who they are, Mr. Taylor
JOHN:___1__
LINDA: We’ll have the board meeting at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon, won’t we
JOHN:__2___
LINDA: But the sales manager of Lee Brothers’, Mr. Lee, just called and insisted on seeing you tomorrow afternoon.
JOHN:_3____
LINDA: He said that he would leave for London at 5:00 p. m. tomorrow.
JOHN:___4__
LINDA: Yes, Mr. Taylor.
JOHN:____5_
LINDA: No problem, Mr. Taylor.
A. Oh, The board meeting will be finished at about 3:30. You could arrange his appointment after that.
B. All right, then tell David to meet him tomorrow afternoon.
C. Ok, they are Mr. Jones, general manager of Nile Co. and Mr. Brown, president of Bestway Co.
D. Could you give me the schedule before 4 o’clock this afternoon
E. Yes. After the board meeting, we’ll meet the guests. It’s important to have them all here.
第15题:
Xiaoyan:So, I' d like to come and see the flat.
Franca: Yes, when is convenient? How about during the day? I usually work in the
evening.
Xiaoyan; Well,I work during the day, but perhaps in the afternoon?
Franca:Well, why don't you come at about 5 o'clock?
Xiaoyan:That's a good idea.
Franca; Are you free on Thursday?
Xiaoyan: No, I'm afraid I'm not. We always have a meeting on Thursday. What about
Wednesday?
Franca:No, I' m sorry. I' m busy on Wednesday. I’m in Cambridge. Are you free on
Friday?
Xaaoyan:Yes,Friday is fine.
Franca: Okay. See you on Friday at 5 o'clock at the flat.
Xiaoyan;Thanks very much. Goodbye.
Franca:Goodbye.
1. Franca usually works during the day.
A. Right
B. Wrong
2. It is convenient for both of them to meet in the afternoon.
A. Right
B. Wrong
3.Xiaoyan is free on Wednesday.
A. Right
B. Wrong
4. Franca is not free on Wednesday because he has a meeting.
A. Right
B. Wrong
5. They are going to meet on Friday at the flat.
A. Right
B. Wrong
第16题:
– Hurry up! Or you’ll be late for the meeting. --___________.
A、OK. I know.
B、Excuse me?
C、It’s my pleasure.
D、That’s wonderful.
第17题:
John: Is it possible for you to work late tonight?
Nick: _____________
A、I like it.
B、I'll do that.
C、I'd love to.
D、I think so.
第18题:
第19题:
第20题:
This is John.()
第21题:
What do you want to talk with?
Yes, go ahead.
What’s the matter?
Oh, nice to see you, John.
第22题:
第23题:
Either
Neither
Both
None
第24题:
There’s nothing to be afraid of.
This is a wonderful day.
Anybody would have done the same.
I am glad to save her.