| Growing experience |
Describes an experience that makes you more mature. “The new job was a real growing experience – I became more confident and mature.” |
| To harmonize |
To bring two things into harmony with each other. “We need to harmonize the efforts of both departments to ensure there is no duplicated effort.” |
| Integrated system |
A system that integrates or includes different parts into a single process. “We can’t be doing different things in different business units – we need to have an integrated system to facilitate information sharing.” |
| Interlinked database |
Interlinked means linked with something else. In the dialog, an interlined database describes a system of information storage and sharing that is interlinked between different sites worldwide. “An interlinked database will enable us to easily locate human resources at any location around the world.” |
| To get something off the ground |
To start a project. “We really need to get this new project off the ground – it’s been in the planning stage too long.” |
| Localization |
The practice of translating materials into a local language and, importantly, ensuring that they fit local culture. “Localization is an important challenge faced by any business moving into East Asia.” |
| Documentation |
Instructions in handbooks or guides that tell us how to use or maintain a something, such as a machine, or hardware, or software. “Providing good documentation is a very important part of customer relations in the high-tech manufacturing business.” |
| Performance indicators |
Measurements of performance (criteria) used in annual reviews, promotions, the award of bonuses, etc. “What kind of performance indicators are most important in considering someone for promotion?” |
| Seamless transition |
A seam is where two pieces of cloth are sewn together to form a piece of clothes. Seamless refers to having no seams, so a seamless transition is one that is very smooth. “During the merger, it is very important that we have a seamless transition in key finance functions, otherwise we will lose site of basic growth metrics.” |
| Functions |
In a department, these refer to basic jobs or tasks that need to be done. We refer, for example, to “sales functions,” which are different roles performed in a sales department. “The most critical sales functions are those performed by people who actually face the customer, as this is the area for greatest potential growth and loss to the company.” |
| Hitch |
A minor problem. “We had a few hitches in the implementation of the system at first, but now everything is up and running well.” |
| Poised under deadline pressure |
The quality of being calm when a deadline is close. “In this frantic business, only people who are poised under deadline pressure will last a long time.” |
| Proactive |
The opposite of reactive, proactive means to find and fix problems before they occur. “It’s very important to take a proactive approach to business administration – it’s much more costly to fix problems after they happen.” |
| Long-range vision |
The ability to see a long ways into the future. “We have enough self-starters and go-getters. What we need in this company is leadership with long-range vision, or we will not be able to keep up with the changes in the marketplace.” |
| Practicing a flexible approach |
Being flexible, that is, innovative and adaptable. “One of the main reasons this company is successful is that we practice a flexible approach to sales promotions – we can turn quickly when we need to: Decision-making is innovative and fast.” |
| To mediate |
To perform a go-between function; to discuss differences between two parties to help them reach an agreement. “I helped mediate a dispute between upper management and my employees, solving things to everyone’s satisfaction.” |
