|
|
Sample Response to GMAT AWA Argument Questions
6.
The following appeared as part of an article in a magazine devoted to
regional life. “Corporations should look to the city of Helios when
seeking new business opportunities or a new location. Even in the recent
recession, Helios’s unemployment rate was lower than the regional
average. It is the industrial center of the region, and historically it
has provided more than its share of the region’s manufacturing jobs. In
addition, Helios is attempting to expand its economic base by attracting
companies that focus on research and development of innovative
technologies.” Discuss how well reasoned . . . Etc.
In this article, corporations are encouraged to settle their business in
the city of Helios when seeking new business opportunities or a new
location. The recommendation is based on the fact that Helios is the
industrial center of the region, given that the city provided more than
its share of manufacturing jobs and its unemployment rate is lower than
average. Furthermore, the city is taking efforts to expand the economic
base of the city by attracting companies that focus on research and
development of innovative technologies. This argument is somewhat
persuasive but not convincing for the following two reasons.
First, lower-than-average unemployment rate seems attractive to job
applicants, but actually not good for corporations. Because of the lower
than average unemployment rate in Helios, companies that should recruit
large numbers of employees would not find Helios a great place. Lower
unemployment rate means that the incoming corporations will have to
recruit new workers outside the city of Helios or lure the existing
workers away from their current jobs with higher wages. Both of these
two alternatives will result in higher recruiting costs, and therefore
make Helios a BAD place for business.
Second, it is questionable whether the available labor in Helios could
support all types of business. Even though the city of Helios has great
environment for industrial and manufacturing companies, it is likely
that the local prospective employees are not suitable for other types of
corporations, such as financial service companies. Furthermore, the
city’s attempt to attract companies that focus on research and
development of innovative technologies does not necessarily result in
the expanding economic base as it expect.
In sum, the author did not provide compelling reasons for why Helios is
a great site for a company wishing to relocate. Nor has the author
provided compelling reasons for companies seeking new business
opportunities to choose Helios. If the author had included the above
items, it may be more convincing.
|
