N12 : Twelfth lesson S00-TITLE : Do you speak Managerese? (From "Plain English for Business") S01 : Once upon a time, managers used to talk in simple language about their jobs and their firm. S02 : They used plain English and they would be understood by everyone around them. S03 : But today's managers speak a totally different language crammed with buzzwords and catch-phrases S04 : that are hard to understand if you are not an insider. S05 : For example, an executive will say "Our company is downsizing" instead of "We are dismissing lots of workers". S06 : Rather than having a boring old plan, every company has to have a vision statement. S07 : Nor does it just serve its customers. It is client-focused and needs-centred. S08 : To get ahead in business, it's no use just being original: S09 : you have to think out of the box or even push the envelope. S10 : And if you need to learn more about the job, you will be upskilled, not trained. S11 : We no longer work from nine to five because we live in a 24/7 digital world. S12 : Here are some common examples of Managerese - and their English translations. S13 : "We need to be lean and mean in order to boost the bottom line" means: S14 : Our company has to be small and aggressive in order to increase profits. S15 : "We empower our people so that they will be proactive and go the extra mile", means: S16 : Our employees have greater responsibilities so that they will work harder. S17 : But at the end of the day and when all is said and done S18 : you will find yourself between positions. In other words, on the dole! S19 : So please: get used to using plain English. T00-TRANSLATE : Exercise: Translate T01 : Managers used to talk simply about their job and they used plain English. T02 : The company doesn't have a plan, nor does it dismiss people. T03 : We no longer work from nine to five; we're open 24/7. T04 : She's not used to using spreadsheets. T05 : The bottom line is that he's too mean to lend me any money.