Key words in business word

Learning keywords used in business English lesson

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What will I learn from this the lesson learn about the keywords that are used in business?

During this English lesson you learn about the keywords that are used in business. The word is followed by the meaning then an example

Try making some sentences of your own using the examples.

• absent adj. — not present
  Example: The manager is absent due to being away on other business.
• accomplish verb — succeed in reaching a required stage
  Example: We have a lot to accomplish this week to meet the targets.
• address verb — deal with a problem or a task
  Example: We better not have to address this problem again this is you last chance.
• adjourn verb — bring a close to a meeting
  Example: If there are no further things on the agenda, we will adjourn the meeting for this month.
• agenda noun — list of objectives to be covered at the meeting
  Example: Pass a copy of the agenda to anyone who is attending meeting in advance please.
• AGM noun (abbr.) — Annual (once a year) General Meeting
  Example: At the next AGM we will need to vote for a new chairperson.
• allocate verb — assign roles/tasks to certain people
  Example: The new manger will allocate someone to order the new company cars.
• AOB noun (abbr.) — Any Other Business (unspecified item on agenda)
  Example: The last item on the agenda as anyone got AOB (Any Other Business).
• apologies noun — telling who is absent and have left there apologies for their absence
  Example: Only one person is absent and they send their apologies.
• ballot noun — a way of voting, usually in writing and should be secret
  Example: Please put your ballot slip in the box.
• board of directors noun — group of elected members of an organization/company who meet to make decisions
  Example: The board of directors met last night to discuss the latest budget.
• boardroom noun — a large meeting room, with one long table and chairs
  Example: The boardroom is busy tomorrow, but Friday will be fine to have a meeting then.
• brainstorm verb — thinking to gather ideas
  Example: Let’s get together and have a brainstorming session on ways that to increase profit.
• casting vote noun — deciding vote normally made by the chairman when the votes have ended equal
  Example: The ruling on overtime pay was decided on the chairman’s casting vote.
• chairperson and chair noun — a person who leads the meeting
  Example: As chair/chairperson, it is my pleasure to introduce to you, our new sales manager Mr Bean
• clarification and verification noun — explanation or proof that something is true and understood
  Example: We will need some clarification as to what’s involved with the planning permission for the new offices.
• closing remarks noun — last spoken words in a meeting examples reminders, thank you ext
  Example: In is closing remarks he thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
• collaborate verb — work together as a pair/group
  Example: The workers had difficulty collaborating with the managers as a result the deadline was not met.
• commence verb — begin, start the meeting
  Example: We will commence the meeting as soon as the everyone as arrived and signed the register.
• comment verb or noun — express one’s opinions or thoughts
  Example: If you have a comment, please raise your hand rather than speak out.
• conference noun — formal meeting for discussion, esp. a regular one held by an organisation
  Example: Before the conference there will be a private meeting for board members only.
• conference call noun — telephone/video conference (Skype) meeting between three or more people in different locations
  Example: Today the chairman from all the overseas branches had a conference meeting using video call.
• confidential adjective — private; must not be shared only with those with permission.
  Example: The company stated that all financial information must be confidential.
• consensus noun — general agreement
  Example: We must reach a consensus by the end of the meeting which will then be put to vote to decided.
• deadline noun — the date when something is due for completion
  Example: The deadline for the order is June 10th.
• designate verb — assign to someone or a team
  Example: If no one volunteers to work at weekend I will designate someone.
• formality noun — a procedure (often unnecessary) that has to be followed due to a rule
  Example: Everyone knows who is going to be the next vice president, so this vote is really just a formality.
• grievance noun — complaint made by a worker or customer
  Example: A grievance has been reported by one of the managers about one of is staff.
• guest speaker noun — person who joins the group in order to share information or deliver a speech
  Example: today am delighted to introduce our guest speaker Mr Bean who is giving us some tips on social networking
• implement verb — it must happen and be followed through
  Example: We must implement the new guide lines set out by the board of directors.
• mandatory adjective — required
  Example: It is mandatory that all workers start at 8am and finish at 5pm.
• minutes noun — a written record of everything said at a meeting
  Example: Let’s review the minutes from last month and see what as been resolved since then.
• motion noun — a suggestion put to a vote
  Example: The motion to extend weekend hours for the staff has been passed.
• objectives noun — goals that need to be accomplish
  Example: I’m pleased that we were able to cover all of the objectives today within the designated time.
• opening remarks noun — chairperson or leader’s first words at a meeting (i.e. welcome, introductions)
  Example: As Mentioned in my opening remarks, we I thank you all for attending.
• overhead projector noun — machine with a special light that projects a document onto a screen or wall so that all can see
  Example: Using the overhead projector I was able to show the sales team what targets we need to achieve.
• participant noun — person who attends and joins in at an event
  Example: Thank you to all the participants in the firms charity event
• proxy vote noun — a vote cast by one person for or in place of another
  Example: There must have been one proxy vote I have counted twelve ballots but there are only eleven attendees present.
• punctual adjective — on time and must not be late
  Example: Anyone that is not punctual will be asked to explain to the manager why they are not on time.
• recommend verb — suggest
  Example: I recommend that you lower the price of the old stock.
• show of hands noun — raised hands to show an opinion in a vote
  Example: From the show of hands it appears that everyone is in favour of taking a short break.
• strategy noun — plan to make something work
  Example: We need to come up with a strategy that will allow us to increase work output.
• unanimous adj. — everyone is in complete agreement or united in opinion
  Example: The vote was unanimous to cut working hours from 46 to 39 hours.
• vote verb or noun — to express an opinion by group or voice down by a show of hands or by ballot box.
  Example: We need to vote for all those in favour of the new changes.
• wrap up verb — finish
  Example: Let’s wrap up it up so that we can start on the next project.

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Business Marketing Tips and Tricks

Perhaps the best part of reality television is the accompaniment of each contestant’s name with his or her occupation. With every new season and every fresh batch of extraordinarily tall children comes a few phenomenal job descriptions: “former high school baseball player,” “equestrian mastermind,” “Floridian demigod,” et cetera.

And who could forget the self-reported occupation most commonly seen across the Reality TV Cinematic Universe: “entrepreneur.” The brilliance of this word lay in the ambiguity. Is Chad from Orange County creating the next Microsoft, or is he designing an app that uses GPS to guide bar patrons to the nearest urinals for their early morning walks home? You could be presumptuous and make a guess, or you could be an intellectual and watch season 43 of The Bachelorette. All we know about Chad is that he conducts business of some sort.

Chad is not alone, either. There are nearly 30 million businesses with fewer than 500 employees in the U.S. Over 99 percent of all American businesses are considered small. In other words, small enterprises create tens of millions of jobs and exercise enormous influence over the U.S. economy.

Contrary to what’s suggested in The Social Network, businesses do not typically begin in Harvard dorm rooms following misogynistic scandals. The majority of small business owners are over the age of 40, and half are older than 50. Plus, most of these owners’ educations do not go higher than an associate’s degree. Pursuit of passion, desire for personal autonomy, and discontent with office life are the principal motivators for SMB owners. When you’re marketing to entrepreneurs and business owners, you’re probably not dealing with aspirational college students – it’s their parents and grandparents you’re interested in. In other words, you’re marketing to people who are ready to make changes in their humdrum daily existences.

It’s important to recognize the obstacles that stand in the way of prospective business owners. The majority of those who struggle report that the difficulty to obtain sufficient funding is the biggest problem. Others cite lack of direction, opportunity, and support as key issues as well. The commonality across these complaints is rather clear: it is hard to take a chance on oneself and start a small business. No matter how smart, resourceful, and driven the entrepreneur, he or she is going to need a lot of time, money, and guidance before reaching a sustainable level of success.

If you’re wondering how to take that information and develop a marketing strategy geared towards SMB owners, look at WordStream. What do we offer to clients? In a nutshell, an easier and more efficient life. That approach to marketing works because our team understands that SMB owners have neither the time nor the resources to fully educate themselves on all things paid search and SEO. Our team also recognizes the importance of every dollar to an effective online advertising strategy, which informs our efforts to help SMB owners minimize waste in their marketing budgets and improve their ROI. Marketing to any group of people requires an understanding of their perspective, particularly when that group needs your help to stay afloat.

For more insights into the worlds of small business and marketing, visit the WordStream blog.

Here you will learn useful and essential business phrases in English. Business language is a combination of vocabulary, words, and expressions that are used in all business communication areas such as: negotiations, presentations, meetings, job interviews, telephoning, sales, emails, customer service, marketing and more.

Learning and using business phrases and language is a must for successful and effective conversations and communications.

Key Business Phrases in English. Business Language And Words.

Negotiation phrases in Business English

Welcoming and Establishing a Rapport

• It’s my pleasure to welcome you to …
• I would like to welcome you to …
• Is this your first visit to …?
• Did you have a good journey?

See a full list of negotiation phrases and words.

Business Meeting Phrases

Opening a Business Meeting Phrases

• Good morning/afternoon, everyone.
• Let’s begin, shall we?
• Shall we make a start?
• Let’s get down to business

See more business meeting phrases and expressions.

Business Presentation Phrases and Business Language

Starting the Presentation

• Good morning (good afternoon) ladies and gentlemen.
• I’d like to thank you all for coming here today.
• My name is………and I work for………
• My talk is called…….
• The topic of my presentation today is …

Learn more business presentation phrases and words.

Telephone Phrases And Language. Business Phrases For Phone Communications.

Answer the Phone Phrases

• Hello/Good morning/Good afternoon
• How can I help you?
• Who would you like to speak to?

See a full list of telephone phrases , vocabulary and business phrases in English.

Business Email Phrases and Expressions

Make a Request in a Business Email / Letter

• I would appreciate if you could …
• Would you please send me…
• We are interested in receiving…
• We would appreciate it if you could send us more information about…
• Could you please let me know if you can……

Learn more business email phrases and words.

Cover Letter Phrases

Start a Cover Letter Phrases

• I noticed with interest your advertisement for …
• I am writing in response to your advertisement posted on…
• I am very interested in applying for the position of …
• I am applying for the position of ….., which was advertised in …..
• I was interested to see your advertisement for …

See a full list of cover letter phrases and words in English.

CV Word and Phrases

• Responsible
• Talented
• Enthusiastic
• Hardworking
• Open
• Optimistic
• Outgoing
• Dynamic

Learn more key CV words and phrases.

Customer Service Phrases. Business Language For Sales.

• Hi, Mr./Mrs. _____. It’s great to see you again.
• How may I help you?
• May I help you with that?
• I apologize. I didn’t hear/understand what you said.
• I will take responsibility.
• I completely understand your situation.

See more customer service phrases and vocabulary.

Describing Product Phrases

• This is our new product.
• I would like to demonstrate.
• I am really excited about showing you …
• I am going to show you …
• This is one of our latest designs.
• It is made of . . .

Business Language for Making Appointments

Business phrases for requesting an appointment

• Can we arrange an appointment/ a meeting?
• Could I meet with you about this?
• If possible, I would like to come by and see you [om Monday]?
• Would it be useful to meet up soon?
• Could I visit you [later today]?

Learn more essential phrases for making appointments.

Learn more business phrases and describing product phrases.

Job Interview Answers and Business Language

Phrases for Describing Yourself

• I was born and raised in …
• I attended the University of …
• I’ve just graduated from the University of …
• I have worked for 5 years as a …

Learn more job interview answers and business phrases.

Job Interview Phrases to Avoid

• I’m not willing to work overtime
• I don’t have any experience
• I’m looking for a position that is less stressful
• I left my old job because my boss was a jerk
• My current boss is horrendous

See more job interview phrases to avoid.

Marketing Phrases and Slogans

• 100% money-back guarantee
• Save money
• Prices cut in half
• Pay nothing
• Try before You Buy

Learn a full list of key marketing phrases and slogans.

Active Listening Phrases and and Business Phrases in English

Business phrases to show attention

• I get the impression that …
• Correct me if I’m wrong …
• Let me see if I understand …
• Would you say more about that?
• Let me make sure I understand you …

See more key active listening phrases and words.

Describing Graphs Phrases and Business Language

Phrases for introducing graphs

• To illustrate my point let’s look at some diagrams…
• If you look at this bar chart you’ll appreciate…
• If you look at this histogram you’ll notice …
• If you look at this flow chart you’ll understand …
• I’d like you to look at this graph…

Learn more describing graphs phrases and words.

Apologising Phrases in Business English

• Please accept my apologies.
• I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to . . .
• (I’m) sorry. I didn’t realize that . . . .
• I made a mistake.

See more apologising phrases and expressions.

Offering and Invitation Phrases And Business Language

• If you have time, I’d like to invite you …
• Would you like to join us for … ?
• We’d be delighted/honored to have you as our guest at …
• Would you be so kind to join me …
• It would be my pleasure if you would …

See more offering and invitation phrases and words.

Asking for Help Phrases

• Could you help me for a second?
• Would you please . . . ?
• Could you possibly . . . ?
• I wonder if you could help me with this?
• I can’t manage. Can you help?

See more useful asking for help phrases and words.

Bank Phrases and Business Phrases

Phrases for Making Bank Transactions

• I want to make a withdrawal
• How would you like the money?
• I’d like to pay this in, please
• I’d like to pay in a cheque
• Have you got ID?

Learn more key bank phrases and vocabulary.

Apologising Phrases and Letters

Business apologising phrases

• Please accept my apologies.
• I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to . . .
• (I’m) sorry. I didn’t realize that . . . .
• I made a mistake.

See a full list of useful apologising phrases and words.

Business English Phrasal Verbs and Business Language

• to back /someone/ up – to support someone
• branch out – to expand, to grow /for example – into new markets/
• to call /someone/ back – to return someone a phone call
• to call off – to cancel an event /to cancel a meeting for example/
• to carry something out – to do something that needs to be organized

Learn more key business English phrasal verbs.

The listed business phrases are key and essential parts of business language and successful business communications.

Recommended textbook solutions

Transcription

{jcomments off}1. alternatives — any other choices a person or group has, rather then agreeing with the other person or group
Example: «We can ask them to do A if we do B, but they have many alternatives.»

2. arbitration — when a neutral person or group comes in to settle a disagreement
Example: «If we can’t agree by midnight tomorrow, this case will go to arbitration.»

3. commitment — an obligation to do something or deliver something
Example: «We’ve made a commitment on this point. If we don’t do it, the agreement will fall apart.»

4. compromise — an agreement where you get less than you want but also give less than the other person wants
Example: «If we don’t compromise, this deal will never get done.»

5. concession — accepting less on one specific point in order to get something from the other person on a different point
Example: «Okay, you’ve made a concession on price, so we can make a concession on the delivery date.»

6. confidentiality — an agreement that prevents either side from talking about the agreement in public
Example: «I’m sorry but our confidentiality agreement prevents me from answering your questions in detail.»

7. equivalent — a proprosed agreement that is different from, but equal in value to, a previous proposal
Example: «We can’t agree to that proposal, but here we would like to suggest an equivalent package for you to consider.»

8. facilitation — a process where people, called facilitators, try to make it easier for two people to reach an agreement
Example: «You may not reach a better agreement with facilitation, but you will reach an agreement faster.»

9. final agreement — the results of the negotation that everyone agrees to put into action
Example: «After six long months, we now have a final agreement.»

10. good faith — being honest about your intentions
Example: «If we negotiate in good faith, we are sure to reach an agreement eventually.»

11. impasse — when two sides hold different positions that they are unwilling to change
Example: «We were close to an agreement but we suddenly hit an impasse over payment terms.»

12. intermediary — a person who communicates between the two sides of a negotiation
Example: «They’ve been negotiating through an intermediary after that big argument last week.»

13. issue — a topic that needs to be discussed in a negotiation
Example: «Money is the biggest issue in this negotiation, but resources and responsibilities are important issues too.»

14. mediation — when a neutral person or group comes in to identify the issues, explore options and clarify goals
Example: «If we use mediation, it may help to move the negotiations forward.»

15. offer — one or more options that is sent by one negotiator to the other
Example: «Let’s offer them a one-year service contract and see how they respond.»

16. package — a combination of options that has been offered as a solution
Example: «John put this package together last night. Let’s look at each option and see if we really want to offer this.»

17. party — either side in a negotiation is called a party, whether one individual or a whole group
Example: «If party A accepts party B’s proposal, then the negotiation is finished.»

18. proposal — any suggestion or idea given to one party from the other
Example: «We’ll look at your proposal during the coming week and give you our response the following Monday.»

19. tentative solution
— an agreement that depends on some conditions, so that it might not be a final agreement Example: «At last we’ve reached a tentative agreement. Perhaps these long negotiations will be over soon.»

20. trade-off
— an exchange process in which one side gives up partly on some issues in order to gain on other issues
Example: «There are always trade-offs when negotiating. You can’t win them all!»

 Source: www.teacherjoe.us

English is the global language of business. Given that the world is so interconnected and multinational companies are growing in number, the importance of learning business English is higher than ever. By learning the type of English that is used in a business context you will be able to understand and communicate effectively with business people from other countries.

Committing time and making an effort to learn business English can have an enormous impact on your career, salary, business opportunities and personal development. A good way to start is by learning some key business English vocabulary which are standard terms in most companies.

We have put together a list of 25 key business English vocabulary words for you to study to get you started……

1. Forecast (verb): to forecast something means to predict what might happen in the future.  For example, an economist may forecast (predict) a decrease in interest rates or company might forecast sales for the coming year.

*Forecast (noun): a document which outlines what is likely to happen in the future.  For example, the sales forecast for the company was promising.

2. USP (noun): This is an acronym for Unique Selling Point, which is a feature of a product that makes it different or unique from other products on the market.  For example, Toms Shoes’ USP is that they give a new pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair that you purchase.

3. Cold call (verb): To cold call someone is when you phone or visit a customer to sell them something that they haven’t asked for. For example, most Telesales (jobs where you sell something by phone) jobs descriptions will state that you must be prepared to cold call.

4. Startup (noun): A startup is a new company that has just started operating. The word startup is often used to refer to companies in the technology industry. Silicon Valley in the US has a lot of startups located there.

5. Brand (noun): a combination of design, logos, signs, symbols, words, slogans, colors, or style that creates an image about a particular product and identifies or differentiates it. Basically, features of your brand are the things that identify your company.  For example, Branded clothes are always more expensive that non-branded clothes.

6. Pivot: Pivot can be used as a noun or a verb. It refers to a change in strategy that happens when a new company realizes that it needs to shift to a different direction to be successful.

For example, Groupon was initially a fundraising site but they they pivoted their strategy and focused on applying the same idea to discounts with suppliers which was much more successful.  

7. Strategy (noun): A strategy is a plan which is used to achieve a goal or an aim. For example, companies can use an acquisition strategy to acquire similar businesses in other areas to expand their operations.  

8. Launch (verb): to launch something is to advertise it and make it available for customers to buy. For example, customers often camp outside Apple stores for a few nights before their newest product launches.

9. Slogan (noun): A slogan is a short phrase used by a company in advertising. A slogan is memorable and easily recognizable by customers.

For example
– Nike’s slogan is “Just do it”.
– McDonald’s slogan is “I’m loving it”.

10. Target market (noun): The target market for a product is the group of people who the product is aimed at. The interests and characteristics of these people help the company selling the product to market it.  For example, the target market for Rolex watches is wealthy males above the the age of 35.

11. Shareholders (noun): Shareholders are people who own shares or ‘piece’ of a company. For example, if you buy shares in a company, you are one of that company’s shareholders.

12. Perk (noun): A perk is an extra benefit that you get from working for a company aside from your salary. For example, Disney employees often get discounted or free entry to Disneyland as a perk.

13. Resign (verb): ‘To resign’ means to you tell your employer that you want to leave your job.   Example: The man resigned last week after a disagreement with his boss.

14. Strike (verb/noun): ‘To strike’ means to stop working to protest working conditions. In English we often use the phrase ‘to go on strike’  For example, employees usually strike when they want more money or better working conditions.

15. IPO (noun): This is an acronym for an Initial Public Offering, which refers to when a company raises money by offering stock to the public for the first time. This means anyone can buy a piece or shares of a company.  For example, Facebook’s IPO was one of the biggest in history.

16. Venture capital (noun): This is financial support that is given to startup companies and small businesses that the investors believe have long-term potential for growth. For example, Sequoia Capital, which is a Venture Capital firm, invested $60mil in WhatsApp and received $3billion in return for the initial venture capital provided when WhatsApp was sold.

17. Deal (noun): A deal is when two parties agree to buy, sell or exchange a product. For example, one company might make a deal with another company to sells its products. 

*A deal also refers to a purchase which was ‘good value’ or cheaper than expected. For example, if you buy a product on sale it is considered a good deal.

18. Quote (verb/noun): This business English vocabulary word can be used as a noun or a verb. It refers to a company telling a customer how much money they will need to pay for the company to do the work for them. For example, a builder might quote $220,000 as the cost of building a house for someone. The person receives a quote from the builder.

19. Tender (verb/noun): A tender is a process where a government or large organisation invites relevant companies to bid for a project. Companies send a tender document which outlines the company’s fees, goals and timelines, as well as their particular expertise.  For example, governments often use the tender process to hire private companies for work.

20. HR (noun): This is an acronym for Human Resources. It refers to both;

• the people who work for a company – the resources of the company that are human
• and the department which manages the people who work for the company.

For example, Human Resources is usually responsible for hiring and firing employees.

21. Joint-venture (noun): A business arrangement where two companies decided to work together to achieve a certain goal. For example, communication companies often work together in a joint venture to expand their coverage or to expand into a new region. In 2001, Sony and Ericsson agreed a joint-venture for the mobile phone market.

22. Demand (noun): An economic principle which balances a consumers desire to purchase a product with the amount that it costs. The higher the cost of a product, the lower the demand will be. The opposite is also true, the lower the price, the higher the demand will be.  

23. Supply (noun, verb): An economic principle which balances the number of products being produced with the number of products the public wants. If the supply increases above the demand, the cost of the product will need to be lowered. If the supply is lower than the demand, the price can increase.

24. Wholesaler (noun): A wholesaler is a person or company which buys a large amount of goods, stores them in a warehouse and then sells them to different companies for resale. For example, normal convenience stores buy their products from a wholesaler and not directly from the person or company that makes the product.

25. Fire (verb): ‘To fire’ a worker means to tell someone they are no longer employed by the company – to terminate their job. It normally occurs when the employee has acted badly towards the company or another worker or if they have repeatedly failed to do their job. For example, a worker might be fired for arriving late to work every day.

The business English vocabulary taught in this article are all frequently used in a business context around the world and are important for people who want to learn English for their work.

Learning the business vocabulary in this article is a good way to start your journey to becoming fluent in Business English. An ability to speak the ‘global language of English’ and to be able to communicate with businesspeople around the world will help you excel in your career. You simply must learn English if you wish to succeed in a global economy.