Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[EnglishLCI]

Are you desperate to expand into new markets or grow in the company where you are currently working? If that is the case I�m sure you would agree that English is not an option. It is a must. However, if English is your second language, simply attending classes at an ESL schooland learning the right vocabulary to do business may not be enough. Using key phrases can give your English a more native sound. Here are popular phrases that can help you do business and sound like a pro.

To be a hitter - Someone powerful within the company. Someone successful.
Bill is incredible; he's a really big hitter.

Core competencies - This is what you or your company does well.
We need to focus on our core competencies in order to maintain our position in the market.

Customer centric - Centered in the customer, customer driven.
We should be more customer centric from now on.

Cutting edge - The most recent version, often used with technology.
This is cutting edge technology we're using.

E.T.A. - Short for �expected time of arrival�, in other words, how long it will take to get it finished.
What's the E.T.A. on this report?

Going forward - In future.
Going forward, you should manage this project with a bit more focus.

High level - Similar to the big picture, an overall view rather than looking at details.
High level thinking is what we need right now.

Leading (market) - To be first, better than the competitors.
I want to develop a market leading proposition.

Low hanging fruit - This refers to things that can be done quickly and easily.
Let�s concentrate on the low hanging fruit first, before looking at the tougher problems.

Manage expectations - Make sure people expect realistic outcomes from a project.
It�s a good idea to manage expectations so that they don�t expect the impossible.

Out of the box - To be creative, original.
If you think out of the box you could generate some amazing ideas

Pro-active - To have initiative and drive. Get things done.
I think we need to be a bit pro-active here.

Quick win - Something that is fairly simple (in terms of time and/or cost) and beneficial.
Some quick wins would really be useful now.

Scalable - When something works for lots of people as well as just a few.
It might work for the local market, but is it scalable?

State of the art - The best, most modern solution.
This is a state of the art solution

To take something offline - Discuss the point further at another time.
That's a delicate issue, so can you take it offline please?

To take ownership of something - To be responsible for something
You should really take ownership for this work.

To be a team player - Someone who works well with others.
Bill is a great guy; he�s a real team player.

To touch base with someone - To speak to someone about something.
I need to touch base with Fred on this one.

Win-win situation - A situation that is good for people on both sides.
Try and see if you can come up with a win-win situation.

Rachel Clarkson
Rachel Clarkson is an English teacher at LCI English ESL Programs and blogger at the ESL Blog.
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LCI offers the best ESL classes through experienced teachers and high quality programs in Denver, Colorado. Check out great ESL resources and articles at www.englishlci.com/blog