BUSINESS ENGLISH VOCABULARY Graphs - Charts

statistics - results - trends Graphs and charts are often used to present information and data. Below you will find useful phrases and vocabulary for presenting figures and trends.

pie chart

bar chart

line graph

Presenting Visuals - useful phrases & vocabulary :

As you will see from this graph ... I'd like to show you ... Let me draw your attention to this part of the graph. Let's look more closely at this month's figures. This figure refers to the sales in China only. This pie chart shows our share of the European market today. As you can see, our main competitor has an even bigger share. The bar chart represents sales in our Asian outlets. Here you can see a comparison between ... On the line graph you will note :

a strong upward trend in the sales of product A ... despite occasional fluctuations ... with a slight drop during the holiday season ... with occasional variations due to .

the overall performance of produce B is good. The initial surge in sales was followed by a period of slower growth in the second half of the year. The instant success of the product was followed by a period of stabilization in the level of sales.

Commenting trends - useful phrases :

Increases : a slight/constant/marked/substantial/increase in sales an increase of about/roughly/approximately/in the region of ... % a little over/above what we predicted the recovery/upturn began in (month) an overall increase in ...

an upward trend in the demand for ... sales reached record levels / reached a peak in (month) a strong surge in the sales of ... by (month), the figure had risen to ... we predict that sales will soar in the coming year / over the next ... months Decreases : just under our target way below our expectations a slight / notable / significant decrease in ... the downturn began in (month) the situation began to deteriorate in (month) the number has continued to fall Fluctuations : a slow start developed into steady progress in sales an initial upward trend was followed by ... we note slight fluctuations through the year normal seasonal variations are the cause of occasional downward trends sales have been (rather) irregular the level / the rate has been unstable since ... you will note a certain instability in the rate of ...

Conclusions - useful phrases :

We must focus our attention on ... What I suggest is ... There is a necessity for ... We need more ... We have no choice but to ... Appropriate measures must be taken The only option we have is to ... These changes are inevitable. We will have to revise our estimation. The result / outcome will be ... I strongly recommend ... To conclude, I am happy / I regret to announce that ...

BUSINESS ENGLISH VOCABULARY Presentations

Preparation is essential for an effective presentation. When giving a presentation, certain keywords are used to signpost the different stages. It's a good idea to memorize them and practise using them, so that they come to mind easily during a presentation.

Starting the presentation Why you are giving this presentation Stating the main points

Good morning/Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen The topic of my presentation today is ... What I'm going to talk about today is ... The purpose of this presentation is ... This is important because ... My objective is to ... The main points I will be talking about are : Firstly, Secondly, Next, Finally ... we're going to look at ... Let's start / begin with ...

Introducing the first point Showing graphics, transparencies, slides, etc. Moving to the next point Giving more details

I'd like to illustrate this by showing you ...

Now let's move on to ... I'd like to expand on this aspect/problem/point ... Let me elaborate on that. Would you like me to expand on/elaborate on that? I'd like to turn to something completely different ... I'd like to digress here for a moment and just mention ... Let me go back to what I said earlier about ... I'd like to recap the main points of my presentation: First I covered ... Then we talked about ... Finally we looked at ... I'd now like to sum up the main points which were : First ... Second, Third,

Changing to a different topic Referring to something which is off the topic Referring back to an earlier point Summarizing or repeating the main points

Conclusion

I'm going to conclude by ... First ... Second, Third, In conclusion, let me ...

 First ... Second, Third, Questions Now I'd like to invite any questions you may have. Do you have any questions?

BUSINESS ENGLISH VOCABULARY Presentations

Word audience body language chart diagram flip chart graph guidelines handout key point marker microphone O.H.T. Meaning Group of listeners or spectators Communication through facial expressions, body movements, etc. Sheet of information in the form of a table, graph or diagram. Graphic representation of a situation e.g. the results of an action. Pad of large paper sheets on a stand for presenting information. Diagram showing the relation between variable quantities. Advice or instructions given in order to guide or direct an action. Written information (report etc.) given to people at a presentation. Essential or main point. Pen with felt tip used for writing on a whiteboard. Electrical instrument used to amplify the speaker's voice. Overhead transparency : sheet of film with an image or printed information for overhead projector. What one wants to achieve; aim Brief description or presentation. Device that projects an O.H.T. onto a screen. Short presentation of the main points.

objective outline overhead projector overview

pointer screen signposting language slide summarize topic transparency visual aids whiteboard

Rod or stick used to indicate things on a map, screen, etc. Flat, reflective blank surface on which films, slides, etc. are projected. Phrases used to help focus the audience's attention on different parts of a presentation. Small photographic transparency. Make a summary of the essential points; sum up. Subject of a discussion or talk. Image or information printed on transparent plastic or film. Aids such as charts, slides, etc. used at a presentation. Flat white board on which to write or draw with markers.

BUSINESS ENGLISH VOCABULARY Investments - Stock Market

Word Bid Blue Chip Stocks Bond Capital Capital stock Commodities Meaning The price a buyer is willing to offer for shares in a company. Stocks of leading companies with a reputation for stable growth and earnings. Certificate issued by companies and governments to their lenders. Money and other property of companies used in transacting the business. All shares representing ownership of a company. Products such as agricultural products and natural resources (wood, oil and metals) that are traded on a separate, authorized commodities exchange. A portion of a company's earnings which is paid to the shareholders/stockholders on a quarterly or annual basis. The value of stocks and shares; the net value of mortgaged property.

Dividend

Equity

Equities Futures Insider Insider dealing / trading IPO Issue Liabilities Mortgage

Stocks and shares which represent a portion of the capital of a company. Contracts to buy or sell securities at a future date. All those who have access to inside information concerning the company. Buying or selling with the help of information known only to those connected with the business. Initial Public Offering - selling part of a company on the stock market. Put into circulation a number of a company's shares for sale. The debts and obligations of a company or an individual. Agreement by which a bank or building society lends money for the purchase of property, such as a house or apartment. The property is the security for the loan. Savings fund that uses cash from a pool of savers to buy securities such as stock, bonds or real estate. The right to buy and sell certain securities at a specified price and period of time. Nominal face value. Shares selling at less than $1 a share. Various types of securities held by an individual or institution. Transferable certificates showing ownership of stocks, bonds, shares, options, etc. The capital of a company is divided into shares which entitle the owner, or shareholder, to a proportion of the profits. Certificate representing the number of shares owned by an investor. Owner of shares. Someone who buys and sells stocks and shares in the hope of making a profit through changes in their value. Shares (portion of the capital of a business company) held by an investor.

Mutual fund Option Par value Penny stock Portfolio Securities Share

Share certificate Shareholder Speculator Stock

Stockbroker

A licensed professional who buys and sells stocks and shares for clients in exchange for a fee called a 'commission'. Person who owns stocks and shares. Investor who holds stocks and securities for a short time (minutes, hours or days) with the objective of making profit from short-term gains in the market. Investment is generally based on stock price rather than on an evaluation of the company. Period during which the Stock Exchange is open for trading. Money raised by companies to finance new ventures in exchange for percentage ownership. Return on investment shown as a percentage. MEETINGS

Stockholder Trader

Trading session Venture capital Yield

English Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions

Negotiations

(idioms, page 1 : above board clinch a deal) above board If business negotiations are described as above board, they are open, honest and legal. There are not secret negotiations. Our dealings have always been above board. If you have an ace up your sleeve, you have something in reserve with which you can gain an advantage. I'm well prepared for the negotiations. I've got an ace up my sleeve. A person or company who holds all the aces is in a very strong position because they have more advantages than anyone else. With low production costs and excellent transport facilities, they seem to be holding all the aces.. To say that someone is back to square one means that they have not succeeded in what they were trying to do, so they have to start again. When they refused the terms of the contract, it was back to square one for the negotiators..

have an ace up your sleeve

hold all the aces

back to square one

back to the wall

If you have your back to the wall, you are in serious difficulty. With his back to the wall, the supplier had to accept the deal. This expression means that you should not reject an offer if it is the only possibility you have. You have no choice. "Beggars can't be choosers!" If you bend over backwards, you try very hard to do something, especially to please somebody. The director bent over backwards to try and persuade them to accept our proposal. If you bide your time, you wait for a good opportunity to do something. He's not hesitating, he's just biding his time, waiting for the price to drop. If you give someone a blank cheque, you authorize them to do what they think is best in a difficult situation. Tom was given a blank cheque and told to negotiate the best deal possible. A bone of contention is a matter or subject about which there is a lot of disagreement. The salaries have been agreed on, but opening on Sundays is still a bone of contention. If you participate in negotiations and bring nothing to the table, you have nothing of interest to offer the other side. We'll never reach an agreement if we don't all bring something to the table. In a business relationship, if you clinch a deal, you reach agreement on a proposal or offer. Paul's final argument enabled us to clinch the deal.

beggars can't be choosers bend over backwards

bide your time

blank cheque

bone of contention

bring nothing to the table

clinch a deal

English Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions

Money - Finance - Wealth

(Idioms page 1 : back-of-the-envelope calculation cut one's losses) back-oftheThis expression refers to a quick approximate calculation done informally, as on the back of an envelope.

envelope calculation bet your bottom dollar

I don't need the exact amount. Just give me a back-of-theenvelope calculation. If you bet your bottom dollar on something, you are absolutely certain of it. Jack is very punctual. You can bet your bottom dollar he'll be here at 9 o'clock on the dot. If you need to tighten your belt, you must spend your money carefully because there is less available. Another bill? I'll have to tighten my belt this month! A person who is born with a silver spoon in their mouth is born into a very rich family. She never has to worry about money; she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. People who live on the breadline have a very low income or barely enough money to survive. Due to the recent crisis, there are more people on the breadline than ever before. If you burn your fingers (or get your fingers burnt), you suffer financially as a result of foolish behaviour. Jack got his fingers burnt playing on the stock market. A product or service which is a regular source of income for a company is called a cash cow. His latest invention turned out to be a real cash cow. If you cash in your chips, you sell something, especially shares, either because you need the money or because you think the value is going to fall. Andy cashed in his chips as soon as business started to slow down. An amount of money considered small or unimportant is calledchicken feed. I got a job during the holidays but the pay was chicken feed. When you want to mention a different or contradictory aspect of a situation, you refer to the other side of the coin. The house is lovely and spacious, but the other side of the coin is that it is far from shops and schools. If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive. The house cost us an arm and a leg, but we have no regrets.

tighten your belt

born with a silver spoon in your mouth on the breadline

burn your fingers

cash cow

cash in your chips

chicken feed

other side of the coin

cost an arm and a leg

cost the earth at all costs

If something costs the earth, it is very expensive indeed. She wears designer clothes that must cost the earth! If you are determined to obtain or achieve something at all costs, you want it regardless of the expense, effort or sacrifice involved. The journalist was determined at all costs to get a report from the war zone. If you end or withdraw from something that is already failing, in order to reduce the loss of money, time or effort invested in it, you cut your losses. The project is heading for failure. Let's cut our losses before it's too late.

cut one's losses

BUSINESS ENGLISH VOCABULARY Marketing - Sales

Word after sales service agent B2B e-commerce Meaning Service that continues after the sale of a product (maintenance, etc.) Person or company that acts for another and provides a specified service. Business to business e-commerce : use of commercial networks, online product catalogues and other online resources to obtain better prices and reach new customers. Business to consumer e-commerce : online sale of goods and services directly to consumers. Comparing one's products to those of competitors in order to improve quality and performance. 1) Any person who makes a purchase. 2) A person employed to choose and buy stock for a company. Offer to pay back part of the purchase price of a product to customers who send a "proof of purchase" to the manufacturer. Two or more shops or outlets that have the same owner and sell similar lines of merchandise. A person who buys services or advice from a lawyer, an accountant or other professional.

B2C e-commerce benchmarking buyer

cash refund offer

chain store client

close convenience store coupon deal department store direct investment discount e-commerce e-marketing extranet follow-up franchise

Finalize a sale or deal. Small shop located near a residential area that opens long hours, seven days a week. Certificate that gives customers a saving when they purchase a specific product. A business transaction. A large shop or store that carries a wide variety of product lines. Entering a foreign market by setting up assembly or manufacturing facilities in that country. A reduction in price. Buying and selling by electronic means, primarily on the internet. Promotion of products and services over the internet. Network that connects a company with its suppliers and distributors Maintain contact after the sale to ensure customer satisfaction. Association between a manufacturer or wholesaler (franchiser) and an independent business person (franchisee) who buys the right to own and operate a unit in the franchise system. A promise that product will be repaired or replaced if faulty. A network that connects people to each other within a company. A way of entering a foreign market by joining with a foreign company to manufacture or market a product or service. The company with the largest market share in an industry. Percentage of the price added to the cost to reach a selling price. Person with a reference, who, because of competence, knowledge, or other characteristics, exerts influence on others. Designing and producing the container or wrapper for a

guarantee intranet joint venture

market leader mark up opinion leader

packaging

product. product line prospect representative retail shopping centre telephone marketing trade fair viral marketing wholesale A group of products that are closely related. A potential customer. A person who represents and sells for a company. To sell in small quantities, as in a shop, directly to customers. Group of shops developed and managed as a unit. Using the telephone to sell directly to customers. An exhibition at which companies in a specific industry can show or demonstrate their products. The internet version of word-of-mouth marketing - email messages that customers pass on to friends. To sell goods and services to those buying for resale (e.g. a shop) or for business use.

BUSINESS ENGLISH VOCABULARY Meetings

Word A.G.M. absentee agenda alternative attendee ballot casting vote chariman / chairperson clarify Meaning Annual General Meeting Person not at the meeting, not present. Written list of points to be discussed at a meeting. Choice of two or more possibilities. Participant or person attending a meeting. System of secret voting; voters place their ballot-papers in a ballot-box; Deciding vote, usually by the Chairman, when votes are in equal number. The person who conducts the meeting. Make something clearer by giving more information.

conference conference call consensus deadline decision i-conference interrupt item main point minutes objective point out proposal proxy vote recommend show of hands summary task unanimous video conference vote

Formal meeting for discussion or exchange of views. Telephone call between three or more people in different places. General agreement. Future date at which something must be done. Reach a conclusion or resolution concerning future action. A meeting or discussion between two or more people via the internet. Stop a person who is speaking in order to say or do something. A separate point for discussion on an agenda. What is most essential. A written summary of the proceedings at a meeting. What is aimed at, what one wants to achieve or obtain. Draw attention to something e.g. point out an increase in demand. A course of action put forward for consideration; to make a proposal. A vote cast by one person for another. Advise a course of action; make a recommendation. Raised hands to express agreement or disagreement in a vote. A brief statement of the main points. A piece of work to be done; to assign a task to someone. In complete agreement. Conference linking people in different locations by satellite, TV, etc. Express one's agreement or disagreement; to cast a vote.