Business English Bits Issue 245
The 10-min homework newsletter that supports your advanced business and English language learning through Youtube video reports and highlighting vocabulary ...
Welcome to today’s Business English Bits!
In today’s outlined video report - Issue 245 - we are investigating a new subject for this publication - watchmaking. For many years, the Swatch Group has been behind the renaissance of the Swiss watch industry. The group is home to around twenty brands including Omega and has seen decades of success. That is until now …
The Swatch Group, is facing various headwinds*, from a drop in Chinese sales to the tariffs emanating** from the States. Revenues have declined and the shine seems to have faded a little from Swatch’s product line. Omega seems to be bucking the trend***, with watches linked to the moon landings, but various experts believe this to be a temporary reprieve*** for the group rather than a sustained comeback****.
*Headwind (n) - Force or factor that hinders progress or makes success more difficult
**To Emanate (v) - To come out from or originate from a source
***To Buck the trend (ph) - To go against the general direction or pattern
****Reprieve (n) - Temporary relief or delay from smth harmful
*****Comeback (n) - Return to a former good position
So in a world flooded with electronic timepieces and mobile devices that tell the time, what does the future look like for a ‘simple’ watchmaker?
Sit back and enjoy this curious look at Swatch’s history and it’s prospects down the line*.
*Down the line (ph) - In the future
Focus on some key new nouns from the video …
VIDEO: Bloomberg Originals TV (12mins) - Why Swatch May Be Running Out of Time
Key Words - (Smth = Something; Sb=Someone; Col=Colloquial)
Quintessential (adj) – Representing the perfect or most typical example of smth
Brainchild (n) – Original idea or creation developed by sb/smth
To short (v) – To sell a financial asset one does not own, betting its price will fall
Bearish (adj) – Expecting prices or markets to decline
To slap on (pv) – To impose quickly or harshly
Amid (adv) – In the middle of or during a surrounding situation or event
To turn fortunes around (ph) – To reverse a period of poor performance and achieve success
Timepiece (n) – Watch or clock
Fancy (adj) – Expensive, high-end, or elaborately designed
Rarefied (adj) – Exclusive, elite, or operating at a high, specialised level
In a tick (ph) – Very soon or in a short amount of time
To chip away at (pv) – To gradually weaken or reduce smth over time
Plethora (n) – Excessive or abundant amount of smth
Slump (n) – Significant decline in performance or sales
Across the board (ph) – Applying to everyone or everything equally
Double whammy (ph) – Two negative effects or problems occurring at once
Peer (n) – Sb/smth at a similar level or within the same industry
Wiggle room (ph) – Flexibility or margin for adjustment in a plan or negotiation
Headwind (n) – Challenge or obstacle that slows progress or growth
Scuffed (adj) – Worn or damaged through use
Tempestuous (adj) – Turbulent or volatile
To float (an idea) (v) – To propose or suggest smth for consideration
To underline (v) – To emphasise or highlight the importance of smth
Buzz (n) – Widespread excitement, interest, or attention
Spokesperson (n) – Official representative who communicates on behalf of a company or organisation
To jazz up (pv col) – To make smth more lively, attractive, or appealing
To get excited – To become enthusiastic or energised about smth
To covet (v) – To strongly desire smth, often belonging to sb else
Word of the Day … Guess the missing key word - Answer given below with examples!
Some new phrasal verbs to review …
Word of the Day Answer:
Relish (adj) - Enjoy greatly
Examples:
“She relishes the challenge of turning around underperforming teams and driving growth.”
“The CEO relishes tough negotiations, seeing them as opportunities to prove the company’s value.”
I hope you’ve been able to take something away from this issue of Business English Bits
Have an good weekend, and see you next Saturday!
Kevin