Unit 8

Word

Definition

Example

achievement

something very good and difficult that you have succeeded in doing

Our reward philosophy recognises both individual achievement and business performance

appreciate

to recognize how good someone or something is and to value him, her, or it

You'll appreciate that I still need to run this by Jean-Paul

be in a position to

be up to speed on

I'm sorry, I'm really not in a position to talk about that

be up to speed on

to have all the latest information necessary to understand or do something well

I'm afraid I'm not up to speed on the latest developments

build (up) rapport (with)

to develop a good understanding of someone and an ability to communicate well with them

You've got to be able to build up rapport with the client

comment

to express an opinion

I can't really comment

confidential

secret or private, often in a formal, business, or military situation

That's confidential, I'm afraid

connect somebody to something

to consider or show a person to be related to something else

These new ways of thinking connect us to a wider range of customers

constructive

intended to help someone or improve understanding

Make sure that your feedback is constructive rather than negative

consultation

a meeting to discuss something or to get advice

We've just completed the initial consultation stage

defensive

too quick to protect yourself from being criticized

He gets very defensive if you criticize any of his decisions

disclose

to make something known publicly, or to show something that was hidden

I'm afraid I can't disclose that information

feel part of

to be included or involved in something

We want you to feel part of a friendly, supportive atmosphere

gain recognition for

to get public appreciation for a person's or group's achievements

Staff are gaining recognition for their contribution

go through

to do something in order to practise or as a test

Could you just go through it again for me?

hard to say

used to say that something is difficult to describe or put into words

It's hard to say at the moment

have a say in

to be involved in making a decision about something

All staff have a say in what happens

impromptu

done or said without earlier planning or preparation

I was asked to give an impromptu presentation on our new system at the meeting

inspire the creation of

to cause or lead to the act or process of making, producing, or building something

Our culture inspires the creation of real value for all stakeholders

let me just

used when asking someone to allow to do something

Let me just touch on how it works in practice

make a contribution

to do something in order to provide or achieve something together with other people

You'll make a significant contribution to maintaining our position

make a difference

to improve a situation

Employees make a difference to companies

not for me to say

used when you feel a bit uncomfortable and don't want to say something or give an answer

It's not for me to say

nothing to do with

to have no connection or influence with someone or something

It's nothing to do with me

open up broader opportunities

to create a wider range of possibilities

Being part of the wider group opens up even broader opportunities in other countries

precise

exact and accurate

I'd like to be able to give you a more precise date, but unfortunately I can't at the moment

provide opportunities for

to make it possibile to do something

We're committed to providing opportunities for development

provide somebody with

to give someone something that they need

Diversity provides us with a competitive advantage

see a future for

to hope or plan what will happen to someone or what they will do after the present time

Innocent attracts employees who see a future for themselves in the company

sketch out

to give a short description of something, containing few details

I'd just like to sketch out the core elements of the plans

straightforward

easy to understand or simple

Well, it's not that straightforward

strive for

to try very hard to do something or to make something happen, especially for a long time or against difficulties

We encourage staff to strive for a healthy work–life balance

support the development of

to provide the right conditions to help the process in which someone or something grows or changes and becomes more advanced

We support the development of our people in any way we can

take pride in

to feel very pleased about something or someone you are closely connected with

We take pride in our track record of success

the best person to ask

the person that is better to talk to get a quick, simple answer

I'm really not the best person to ask

touch on

to speak briefly about something

The course touched on some of the finer details of the system

turn dreams into reality

to obtain or achieve something one has always wanted

Our people have a single vision: to turn dreams into reality

unite somebody in a common cause

to join with other people or groups to work together to do or accomplish something

It is a culture that unites us in a common cause