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A Meeting in Gliwice

business
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Word Bank

These words appear in the reading and the exercises below. Hover or click a word to see its definition.

business n.the activity of buying, selling or providing goods or servicesMuch of today's business is conducted across international borders. global business community n.all the people and organisations involved in business around the worldThe majority of the global business community might share the use of English. business context n.a situation related to work and companies, not personal lifeThey use titles when meeting someone in a business context for the first time. business etiquette n.the formal rules for polite behaviour in business situationsDifferences in the business etiquette around the world can stand you in good stead. corporate culture n.the shared values and ways of working in a companyWe are influenced by our corporate culture as well as national culture. to put it in simple terms fixed phraseto explain something in an easy and direct wayTo put it in simple terms, demand is higher than supply. to put it in context fixed phraseto give background information so something is better understoodTo put it in context, these changes began over a decade ago. shipping n.the activity of transporting goods by ship or other meansThe Cavendish wasn't as well suited to shipping as the Gros Michel. bankruptcy n.the state of being unable to pay debts; financial ruinUnited Fruit had saved itself from bankruptcy by planting new crops. operation n.a business activity or organization; a planned activityWhile the operation was a huge success for the Latin American industry, the Cavendish itself is far from safe. exporter n.a person or company that sends goods to another country for saleIn 2014, South East Asia was another major banana exporter. drop v.to decrease or fall in amount or numberIn 2015, exports had dropped by 46 per cent. across international borders phrasein or to many different countriesMuch of today's business is conducted across international borders. business acquaintances n.people you know through work but who are not close friendsThe cultural norms and practices of our business acquaintances can result in unfair judgements. breakdowns in communication n.a serious failure in the way people exchange informationA lack of understanding can result in misunderstandings and breakdowns in communication.
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Full vocabulary notes (examples, collocations, related words)
business noun · in the reading — the activity of buying, selling or providing goods or services Much of today's business is conducted across international borders.Collocations: do business,international business,business community,business environmentRelated: trade,commerce,company worldContrasts: private lifeNotes: Often used as an uncountable noun in this sense.
global business community noun · in the reading — all the people and organisations involved in business around the world The majority of the global business community might share the use of English.Collocations: global business community,international business community,business community worldwideRelated: business world,corporate worldContrasts: local communityNotes: Often used in discussions of trends and practices.
business context noun — a situation related to work and companies, not personal life They use titles when meeting someone in a business context for the first time.Collocations: in a business context,within a business context,context of businessRelated: professional setting,work settingContrasts: social context,private lifeNotes: Useful contrast with social context.
business etiquette noun — the formal rules for polite behaviour in business situations Differences in the business etiquette around the world can stand you in good stead.Collocations: business etiquette,international business etiquette,good business etiquetteRelated: business manners,professional etiquetteContrasts: bad mannersNotes: Often used with adjectives like good,proper,international.
corporate culture noun · in the reading — the shared values and ways of working in a company We are influenced by our corporate culture as well as national culture.Collocations: corporate culture,company culture,strong corporate cultureRelated: organisational cultureContrasts: individual behaviour (contrast)Notes: Key term in business English.
to put it in simple terms fixed phrase — to explain something in an easy and direct way To put it in simple terms, demand is higher than supply.Collocations: to put it in simple terms, simply put, in simple language, easy to understandRelated: simply putNotes: Good for explaining technical ideas to non‑experts.
to put it in context fixed phrase — to give background information so something is better understood To put it in context, these changes began over a decade ago.Collocations: to put it in context, in this context, in a broader context, by comparisonRelated: by comparisonNotes: Often followed or preceded by figures or past events.
shipping noun · in the reading — the activity of transporting goods by ship or other means The Cavendish wasn't as well suited to shipping as the Gros Michel.Collocations: suited to shipping, shipping goods, international shippingRelated: transport, delivery, freightNotes: In business, refers to transport and delivery; can mean by ship specifically or generally.
bankruptcy noun · in the reading — the state of being unable to pay debts; financial ruin United Fruit had saved itself from bankruptcy by planting new crops.Collocations: save from bankruptcy, face bankruptcy, avoid bankruptcy, declare bankruptcyRelated: insolvency, financial ruinContrasts: solvency, profitabilityNotes: Legal process where debts are forgiven; very serious for businesses.
operation noun · in the reading — a business activity or organization; a planned activity While the operation was a huge success for the Latin American industry, the Cavendish itself is far from safe.Collocations: business operation, successful operation, the operation wasRelated: business, enterprise, ventureNotes: Can mean business, military mission, or surgical procedure depending on context.
exporter noun · in the reading — a person or company that sends goods to another country for sale In 2014, South East Asia was another major banana exporter.Collocations: major exporter, banana exporter, leading exporterRelated: seller abroad, international sellerContrasts: importerNotes: Opposite is importer; key player in international trade.
drop verb · in the reading — to decrease or fall in amount or number In 2015, exports had dropped by 46 per cent.Collocations: drop by 46%, exports dropped, prices drop, sales dropRelated: decrease, fall, declineContrasts: rise, increaseNotes: Often used with by or to; can describe prices, numbers, or physical falling.
across international borders phrase · in the reading — in or to many different countries Much of today's business is conducted across international borders.Collocations: work across international borders,trade across international borders,communication across international bordersRelated: internationally,globallyContrasts: locally,domesticallyNotes: Useful for talking about global work or trade.
business acquaintances noun — people you know through work but who are not close friends The cultural norms and practices of our business acquaintances can result in unfair judgements.Collocations: business acquaintances,professional acquaintances,meet a business acquaintanceRelated: colleagues,contactsContrasts: close friendsNotes: More formal than business contacts.
breakdowns in communication noun — a serious failure in the way people exchange information A lack of understanding can result in misunderstandings and breakdowns in communication.Collocations: cause a breakdown in communication,avoid breakdowns in communication,communication breakdownRelated: communication failure,miscommunicationContrasts: effective communicationNotes: Often used in business and technical contexts.

Reading

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Daniel Okafor stood outside the Volta Drive factory in Gliwice, Poland, reviewing his notes for the meeting with Sabine Krüger, the operations director from Stuttgart. He had been visiting the plant twice this year and had come to appreciate the efficiency of its operations, though he remained concerned about the growing competition from cheaper Asian exporters. His three main UK customers were pushing for more stock before the spring season, and the pressure was mounting. As he stepped inside, he noticed Sabine already in the conference room, her tablet open and a cup of coffee beside her. She was precise and direct, a trait that had earned her respect across the global business community. 'Let's be precise,' she said as she greeted him, 'what exactly is the update from your side?'

The discussion quickly turned to the recent drop in sales across international borders, a trend that troubled both of them. Sabine had been working closely with Paweł Zając and Natalia Duda to ensure the new production line in Gliwice met its KPI targets. She shared data showing that while the plant's corporate culture remained strong, the cost of shipping components had increased by 12% over the last quarter. Daniel, in turn, explained the situation in simple terms: his customers were hesitant to commit to larger orders due to fears of bankruptcy if demand dipped. He also mentioned a recent breakdown in communication with one of the UK distributors, which had led to a delay in a major order. Sabine nodded, her mind already calculating the implications. 'We need to put this in context,' she said. 'If we don't address it now, we may lose more than just a few sales.'

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