BTS ASSISTANT DE DIRECTION

SESSION 2001

ANGLAIS

Hard work helps but success depends on other factors too, says Tola Awogbamye

The only way to get ahead?

Hard work is more likely to secure you a promotion than getting embroiled in office politics. That is the conclusion of a report by Manpower, the recruitment consultants, based on a survey of 2,800 human resources managers in seven countries - the UK, USA, Japan, France, Germany, The Netherlands and Italy.

The report suggests that in the UK, the one sure way to get to the top is through good, old-fashioned hard work. According to 51 per cent of HR managers at UK companies, if you want to get on, the most important consideration is your ability to get the job done (or in management jargon, to "complete assigned projects"). Network-building and introducing new ideas are not so crucial.

Not everyone agrees with this assessment, though. Berverley Stone, a corporate psychologist, says: "It would be nice to believe that hard work secures promotion but in the real world, image and exposure are just as important".

"If people rely on hard work alone, they may get frustrated later in their careers and feel that they haven't achieved the promotion they deserved".

"Exposure - telling the right people how hard you are working - and networking are as important as hard work in securing promotion. It's not about being immodest but about letting the right people know what you are doing and that you are doing it well. Fitting in with the company's culture and speaking and dressing in the right way are also important".

Ms Stone advises those who feel that they work hard but have been overlooked for promotion to start thinking about the way they come across to people.

"It is crucial to have the confidence to speak up in meetings", she says, "and to make sure that your voice and ideas are heard".

Melanie Orton, secretary to a managing partner at a London law firm, agrees. "Hard work plays a part in getting promoted but getting to know a lot of people in the office, finding out as much about the company as possible and making yourself indispensable are important too", she says.

Networking takes many forms and Ms Orton's view is that treating everyone as equal and not being intimidated by people in senior positions is a good start. "This gets your name and face known around the company and shows that you are confident and can deal with people at all levels", she says. "Playing the office politics game can help but it can be dangerous - it's better to focus on working hard and being friendly and helpful to everyone, rather than to a few selected people".

According to Nicolas Perry, a PA to the human resources directors of a blue-chip company, people skills are the real key. "It's important that colleagues have confidence in your ability", she says. "If you are pro-active, professional and always get the job done, it will inspire trust and give you the opportunity to take on more projects and responsibility".

Finally, says Ms Perry, it is important that other managers as well as your own should have confidene in your abilities and know that you can hold the fort in your boss's absence.

The Times - Aug. 9, 2000

I - COMPRÉHENSION (8 pts)

Rédigez en français un compte-rendu des idées essentielles de l'article (160 mots +/- 10 %).

II - EXPRESSION (12 points)

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In your opinion, what qualities and skills make a good PA? (180 words +/- 10%).

B) Lettre commerciale.

Rédigez en anglais une lettre en tenant compte des consignes ci-dessous.

Vous êtes l'Assistant(e) de Monsieur Marchand, Directeur des Achats de la S.A. THIBAULT, grossiste en fournitures scolaires.

Il vous a chargé(e) de rédiger un courrier, qu'il signera, destiné à votre fournisseur anglais, Mrs Packers, de chez SWIFT STATIONERY Ltd.

Consignes :

• Vous exprimez votre satisfaction d'avoir fait la connaissance de leur nouveau représentant, Mr Greenfield, lors de la Foire Commerciale Internationale à Birmingham, quinze jours plus tôt,
• Vous manifestez votre intérêt pour leur nouvelle gamme d'agendas électroniques, qui semble bien adaptée aux attentes des adolescents,
• Vous passez une première commande de 500 agendas électroniques "Mega-Organizer 2001/2002" ref. M.O. 675 de leur catalogue 2001,
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Formules de politesse et présentation d'usage.

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Adresse de votre fournisseur : SWIFT STATIONERY Ltd 80 Farringdon Road London SE1 8TA

N° de commande : 25