9.4
THE RUSSELL DRAKE GALLERY
93
3
Look at the visitor ratings below. What do they
show, in your opinion? Do they indicate that customer
satisfaction of the gallery is: a) high, b) fairly high,
c) acceptable, d) too low or e) totally unacceptable?
TASK
DECIDING ON AN ACTION PLAN
6
Work in small groups. You are members of a team
of art consultants headed by Dennis Paul. Do the
following tasks together.
1
Consider the implications of each of Dennis Paul’s
ideas below. Then choose the best five ideas for
further study. Make notes of your reasons for not
choosing the other ideas.
2
Discuss the cost of the ideas you’ve chosen. Which
ones will be:
a
inexpensive
b
quite expensive
c
very expensive
d
easy to implement
e
more suitable as a long-term project?
3
Think of any other ideas that could make money for
the gallery. Make notes.
4
Work out an action plan for the next year.
Number of reviews (previous three months)
Total: 106
Visitor rating
Excellent 5
Very good 22
Average
71
Poor
8
Awful
0
KEY LANGUAGE
DISCUSSING IMPLICATIONS, OFFERING COUNTER-
ARGUMENTS
4
9.2
Russell and Vanessa Drake and Dennis Paul
are discussing the commission that the gallery charges
artists to exhibit their work. Listen and choose the
arguments that Dennis Paul uses to oppose lowering
the commission rate.
1
The artists do not object to the present commission
system.
2
Other galleries might start lowering their commission.
3
Russell Drake’s commission is already fairly low.
4
The artists do not like changes in commission rates.
5
The best customers would be unhappy about variable
rates.
6
A lower commission rate will have an impact on the
gallery’s profitability.
5
a
Listen again and number the phrases below in the
order you hear them.
a
But think of the consequences. (Dennis)
b
I think there’s a strong argument for doing it.
(Vanessa)
c
But it wouldn’t if we charged variable commission
rates. (Russell)
d
You need to take into account the reactions of the
other gallery owners. (D)
e
There are plenty of things you could do ... (D)
f
Maybe, but consider the implications. (D)
g
We do need to have more young artists on our books. (V)
h
If you lower your commission, other galleries might
start doing the same thing. (D)
i
That may be true, but our situation’s getting pretty
desperate. (V)
j
We’ve got to do something if we want to survive. (V)
k
the problem with that is that it could really upset your
best customers ... (D)
l
It’ll affect your profits if you lower your commission
rate. (D)
5
b
Decide whether each phrase is ‘discussing
implications’ (I) or ‘offering a counter-argument’ (C).
Ideas
1
Change the gallery’s strategy. Focus on
exhibiting exclusively young emerging artists
based in New York.
2
Sponsor a young, promising artist, perhaps
someone already exhibiting on the internet.
3
Sponsor a competition of modern art in New
York’s major art colleges.
4
Exhibit at one major art fair in New York rather
than at several smaller fairs, as the gallery does
at the moment.
5
Hire an expert to improve the gallery’s
website. Aim to attract more foreign visitors by
advertising in specialist art magazines.
6
Redecorate the gallery and enlarge the
windows.
7
Move to a new location where the rents are
much cheaper.
8
Vary the commission rate, charging 50 percent
to established artists and a lower commission
rate for young artists.
9
Set up a café in the gallery offering high-quality
snacks and lunches.
10
Invite famous modern artists to give lectures
on their work at the gallery.
7
Compare your action plan with the plans of other
groups. Explain your reasons for not choosing some of
Dennis Paul’s ideas.
8
As one group, take a vote to decide which is the
best action plan.
MEETING AGENDA
