BEST IELTS General Reading Test 434

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BEST IELTS General Reading Test 434

IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 434 – PASSAGE – 2

IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 434

READING PASSAGE – 2

Starting a Business in Australia? What Insurances do you Need?

Starting a business can be a risky undertaking. On top of all the usual risks, there are a variety of other things that you may not have thought about, some of which will be outside your control like vandalism. Usually, the activities in your business area will determine the type of insurance you require — for example, online, home-based etc., whether you sell products or services, and if you employ people.

Insurances you MUST have:

Australian law requires all businesses who employ people to have employers’ liability insurance. This will cover you against any claims made by employees who are injured on your property. If you do not have this insurance, you can face prosecution, even if no accident takes place. If any of your employees use a motor vehicle of any description, you need to insure all of them and the vehicle.

IELTS General Reading Test

Insurances you SHOULD have:

Although it’s not a legal obligation, there are some insurances that you should always have. Members of the public will very often be on your premises and if any of them makes a successful claim against you, then this could make you bankrupt! For example, public liability insurance will cover you if any member of the public sues you. Similarly, if you manufacture or supply goods to other companies or to the general public, you should have product liability insurance to cover any damage, injury or illness your products might cause.

Insurances you MIGHT hove:

There are various other insurances you might consider. Business interruption insurance will protect you if a catastrophe takes place to your business and stops you trading. Buildings insurance will cover your premises, which is especially important if you own them. If you have a large stock, make sure you have a business contents insurance. Another important consideration is to insure goods in transit, so that you don’t lose out if there’s an accident during distribution. Finally, directors and officers liability insurance is not compulsory but may be considered by directors.

IELTS General Reading Test

Combination Insurance

Most good brokers will be able to combine the various insurances that you feel your business needs. These will be tailored to businesses and will include things like monthly premiums. Don’t just buy the first one you find. Shop around and don’t be afraid to try negotiation with brokers – they want your business and will do you a deal that will save you money.

Personal Insurances

If you own your company, especially as a sole trader, you should make sure that you are insured for medical problems. As a sole trader, you can’t cover yourself as an ’employee’ with workers’ compensation insurance. This means you’ll need to consider your own personal death, illness and disability insurance. Life insurance is very important if you have a family who might experience difficulties if you die, and equally important will be critical illness cover, which will insure you if sickness or injury stops you working, but does not kill you.

IELTS General Reading Test

Questions 15 – 21

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text for each answer.

15. It’s common that necessary insurances are decided by the commercial …………………. that are carried out.

16. Failure to have employers’ liability insurance can leave business owners liable to …………………. .

17. Public liability insurance is heavily recommended in spite of the fact that there is no official …………………. .

IELTS General Reading Test

18. …………………. will cover your business if a disaster puts you temporarily out of business.

19. It might be a good idea for your business to insure …………………. that are being transported around the country or overseas.

20. Cheaper prices can be achieved with insurance salesmen through …………………. .

21. Health cover is advised, particularly if the business owner is a …………………. .

IELTS General Reading Test

Read the text below and answer questions 22-27.

How a Smart Entrepreneur Succeeds in Motivating People in a Small Business

For the small business owner, your employees constitute the core of the company. Without a staff that’s raring to go and is as enthusiastic about their jobs as you are, you face problems you don’t need or want. As an entrepreneur in today’s market, motivating the people who work for you is vital.

As any leading entrepreneur knows, you must care, not scare, to get people motivated. Using fear as a motivational strategy may get short-term results, but future resentment from angry employees positions you in a very bad place of distrust, where employees not only become unenthusiastic, but eschew any kind of commitment towards you or your business. On the other hand, when workers perceive that you care about them and respect them as valuable associates of your organisational team, they are much more likely to express cooperation, enthusiasm, and commitment for your small business.

IELTS General Reading Test

In a small business, the proper environment for expansion promotes motivation, encouraging it to blossom and grow. When employees sense caring, appreciation, respect, and acknowledgement, almost all of them return these attributes with total effort, commitment, and loyalty. In an environment where open and honest communication exists, creatively solving problems is part of day-to-day business. Entrepreneurs who provide sincere recognition for employees’ efforts and successes are way ahead of the game.

An entrepreneur must be a model for the behaviour expected from employees, if motivation is expected to continue. Arriving early or at least on time, consistently acting with integrity, and expressing dependability and forthrightness are just a few positive, motivational behaviours a small business owner needs to show if the same is expected from the staff.

IELTS General Reading Test

Expressing your own motivation as a small business owner serves to motivate others. If you’re having a problem getting motivated, work on it immediately and alter your attitude. How can you honestly expect the people who work for you to be motivated if you show nothing more than grim determination? Entrepreneurs must learn what motivates themselves in order to understand what motivates others.

The most significant motivational factor that an owner controls is his or her relationship with each employee. The second most important factor is to create a work environment and organisational culture that fosters employee motivation and engagement. This work culture consists of an environment in which employees are trusted, treated like the adults they are, and not be subject to micromanagement. Employees should receive frequent communication, be treated with respect and civility, and have input into the work they are hired to do.

IELTS General Reading Test

Just because you’re in business as a money-making, on-fire entrepreneur doesn’t mean laughter shouldn’t be a big part of your workplace environment. If you can create an atmosphere where work is associated with having a good time, you lower anxiety for yourself and your staff and enable everyone to develop bonds with one another, and by associating work with fun, the absenteeism rate of your employees will drop dramatically. Encouraging fun in your small business helps construct the foundations for successful teamwork.

For the small business owner, motivating your employees must be non-stop. Because people grow and change, you must keep abreast of contemporary motivation techniques and apply them. Some work, some don’t. A smart entrepreneur keeps trying, though, to find the right techniques that work to keep employees happy, mentally and physically healthy, and eager to come to work every day.

IELTS General Reading Test

Questions 22 – 27

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.

Motivation in a Small Business

It’s vital to inspire the workforce. Try not to use (22)………………… , as this only leads to temporary results. It will create annoyed and suspicious workers. Care and respect for your employees will lead to cooperation, enthusiasm, and commitment.

Nurture a suitable (23)………………… and your employees to grow your business -this will stimulate expansion and motivation. Staff will return what is shown them.

IELTS General Reading Test

Try and be a (24)………………… in your business – turn up early, be trustworthy and dependable. If you are, then the staff can be too. Be honest and creative to get ahead.

Make sure you show you’re motivated. If you’re not, change your attitude or your employees probably won’t be motivated. Understand what motivates you and your staff.

Owner – worker relationships and the business culture are two vital motivational factors. Avoid (25)………………… and involve the workers with all aspects of the business.

Make sure laughter and fun is at your workplace. This lowers stress, builds rapport and staff anxiety and the scale of (26)………………… in the workforce will be markedly reduced.

Never cease inspiring your staff. Study current ways of creating (27)………………… and use them to maintain staff contentment, health and enthusiasm.

IELTS General Reading Test

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