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Six Minute English

from BBC learning English.

com.

Hello, this is six minute English from BBC learning English. I'm Neil and I'm

Georgina. After working together at BBC learning English for many years Georgina you

and I have a good working relationship

don't we? Sure I think we make a great team but have you ever had a boss who you

just couldn't work with? Oh you mean a bad boss someone you just can't get on with no matter how hard you try. Yes, I've had one or two over the years, not you of course, Neil.

I'm glad to hear it, Georgina. Often this happens because workers feel they aren't

listened to by managers or it might be because most companies are hierarchies,

systems of organizing people according to their level of importance.

Managers on top workers down below.

But in this program we hear from companies who've got rid of managers

and say it's helped them to do a better job,

made them happier and saved money.

We'll meet a self-managing company which isn't hierarchical and has no boss,

and of course we'll be learning some new vocabulary along the way.

But first today's quiz question.

One of the biggest problems in hierarchies is the excess cost of management and bureaucracy?

But how much is that estimated to cost the US economy every year?

...