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• Marketing •

Business Chat Series - Advanced Business English Listening for Professionals

20 Feb 23


Audio

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Key Points

Listed below are all the interesting terms used during this episode's Business Chat about Marketing.

 

 

Unwieldy Beast  

 

Meaning: Something that is difficult to deal with.

Business Example: Managing the global supply chain has become an unwieldy beast for the company, requiring constant attention and innovative solutions.

 

 

Gargantuan
 

Meaning: Huge.
Business Example: The new merger created a gargantuan corporation that dominates the tech industry.


 

To Pivot into a Space
 

Meaning: To change direction normally in a business sense.
Business Example: After realizing the market potential in renewable energy, the company decided to pivot into that space.


 

To Sit in Separate Columns
 

Meaning: To be in different subjects / areas.
Business Example: Sales and marketing may seem related, but they sit in separate columns in the organisational structure.


 

In a Wider Sense
 

Meaning: In general.
Business Example: In a wider sense, our corporate responsibility goes beyond profit-making to include social and environmental commitments.


 

Opening Thoughts
 

Meaning: Some ideas to begin with.
Business Example: In our strategy meeting, I would like to present some opening thoughts on expanding into the Asian market.


 

To be Close to Someone's Heart
 

Meaning: To be important to someone.

Business Example: Sustainable practices are close to the CEO's heart, so we are focusing on becoming a green company.

 

 

A Sweeping Statement

 

Meaning: A general statement or saying.

Business Example: Saying that all tech companies are innovative is a sweeping statement; there are many factors to consider.

 

 

Contrary to Popular Belief

 

Meaning: To be against popular opinion.

Business Example: Contrary to popular belief, working longer hours doesn’t necessarily lead to higher productivity.

 

 

To be Woven into Every Aspect

 

Meaning: To be involved in every part.

Business Example: Integrity and honesty are woven into every aspect of our company culture.

 

 

To Have a Chat Over Coffee

 

Meaning: To have a chat over a beverage or meal such as tea, lunch, or beer.

Business Example: Let's have a chat over coffee next week to discuss the project details.

 

 

One and the Same

 

Meaning: Used for emphasis to show the same person or thing.

Business Example: The CEO and the founder of the company are one and the same.

 

 

To Make a Referral

 

Meaning: To refer someone or something, not to do a referral.

Business Example: If you know someone who fits the job profile, please make a referral.

 

 

To Interact with a Business

 

Meaning: To be involved or to do business.

Business Example: We need to actively interact with local businesses to understand their needs.

 

 

Sticking with Something

 

Meaning: Staying or continuing on the same subject.

Business Example: Sticking with our current marketing strategy will provide us consistent growth.

 

 

Groundwork

 

Meaning: The initial or even deeper work that is carried out.

Business Example: We've laid the groundwork for our expansion into Europe, now it's time to execute the plan.

 

 

The Holy Grail

 

Meaning: A very important achievement, not religious.

Business Example: For many tech startups, achieving a billion-dollar valuation is considered the holy grail.

 

 

To Hit Up

 

Meaning: To get in contact with or investigate something further. Business Example: We should hit up some potential investors for our new product line.

 

 

To be More Inclined

 

Meaning: To be more likely to do something.

Business Example: Customers are more inclined to buy from brands that demonstrate social responsibility.

 

 

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

 

Meaning: A really good idea or thing.

Business Example: Our new app has been called the best thing since sliced bread by the industry experts.

 

 

To Break Down

 

Meaning: To explain something in more detail or to separate something larger into smaller parts. Business Example: We need to break down our annual budget into quarterly targets for better management.

 

 

Paradoxically

 

Meaning: Confusingly, absurdly, or in a contradictory way.

Business Example: Paradoxically, reducing work hours increased overall productivity in our department.

 

 

To Vote with One's Feet

 

Meaning: To physically carry out an action that shows their mindset or intent.

Business Example: Many customers are voting with their feet by choosing environmentally responsible products.

 

 

To Go Down the Rabbit Hole

 

Meaning: To get into the very depths of a subject in a lot of detail.

Business Example: In researching the market trends, we went down the rabbit hole and found some unexpected opportunities.

 

 

To Deliver Over and Above

 

Meaning: To do more than is expected of you.

Business Example: Our customer support team always strives to deliver over and above the expectations of our clients.

 

To Contrast

 

Meaning: To compare, to contrast two ideas together.

Business Example: It's beneficial to contrast our marketing strategies with those of our competitors.

 

 

On the Other End of the Scale

 

Meaning: Used to show extremes when making comparisons.

Business Example: While some businesses are thriving, on the other end of the scale, others are struggling to survive.

 

 

A Hallmark of Something

 

Meaning: A distinguishing characteristic.

Business Example: Excellent customer service is the hallmark of our brand.

 

 

A Byproduct

 

Meaning: Something that happens as a result of an action.

Business Example: Increased employee satisfaction was a welcome byproduct of our new flexible work policy.

 

 

To be Starting Out

 

Meaning: Just getting started in something.

Business Example: As a startup, we're just starting out in the industry, but we have ambitious goals.

 

 

Top of Mind

 

Meaning: The first thing that you think about.

Business Example: Improving user experience is top of mind for our development team this quarter.

 

 

Blatant

 

Meaning: Obvious or clear discrepancy.

Business Example: There was a blatant error in the financial report that needs to be addressed.

 

 

Whereas

 

Meaning: In contrast.

Business Example: Our sales have increased in the domestic market, whereas in the international markets, they have remained stagnant.

 

 

A Compelling Offer

 

Meaning: A tempting and attractive offer.

Business Example: The vendor gave us a compelling offer on the software, so we decided to purchase it.

 

 

Predicated

 

Meaning: Based upon.

Business Example: Our marketing strategy is predicated on extensive customer research and insights.

 

 

A Fledgling Business

 

Meaning: A young business.

Business Example: As a fledgling business, we need to carefully manage our resources and build strong partnerships.

 

 

Origin Story

 

Meaning: A story about where somebody comes from or originates from.

Business Example: The founder's origin story, starting from a garage to building a multinational corporation, is truly inspiring.

 

 

The Residual

 

Meaning: The leftovers of something or the bit left behind.

Business Example: After paying all the expenses, the residual funds will be invested back into the business.

 

 

To Charge Up

 

Meaning: To energise, stimulate, or excite.

Business Example: Our team needs a motivational workshop to charge up their spirits and boost productivity.

 

 

To Take the Next Step

 

Meaning: Doing the next part of the process.

Business Example: With the prototype approved, we're ready to take the next step in production.

 

 

To Infuse

 

Meaning: To fill, to mix with, or to soak.

Business Example: We aim to infuse our products with innovative features that meet customer demands.

 

 

To Embed

 

Meaning: To insert or implant.

Business Example: Security measures are embedded into our software to ensure user data protection.

 

 

To be Self-Serving

 

Meaning: Doing something for your own interest.

Business Example: In negotiations, it's best not to be self-serving but to consider mutual benefits.

 

 

That is the Game

 

Meaning: The process or environment in which one must operate.

Business Example: Adapting to market changes is tough, but that is the game in the competitive tech industry.



To be in Separate Camps

 

Meaning: To be in different topic areas or subjects.

Business Example: The marketing and engineering departments are often in separate camps but must collaborate for product success.

 

To be in Dire Straits
 

Meaning: To be in a very bad or difficult situation.
Business Example: With declining sales and mounting debts, the company is in dire straits.


 

Something Falls Out of Something
 

Meaning: A result or observation obtained from conducting a task.
Business Example: After analysing the survey, the key point that fell out was the need to improve customer service.


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Rob@thebusinessenglishpodcast.com

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