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 EDITORIAL

100 tips for success

This is the 100th issue of Business Spotlight — an
appropriate moment to look back at some of the
many tips we have provided since our first magazine.

I
n ancient Rome, a “centurion” was an we have put together 100 tips and quotes
officer in the army who commanded a — one from each issue of the magazine to
“century”, a group of 100 soldiers (from date — to help you to communicate better
the Latin centum, meaning 100).The terms in English at work (pp. 46–53). We hope you
“century” and “centurion” are still used enjoy our selection.
in English, but with a different meaning. I would like to say a special thanks to you
The most common usage of “century” — our readers, listeners and users — for your
is, of course, to refer to a period of 100 years. support and feedback since 2001. And I’d also
But the term is also used in cricket — don’t like to thank all our authors, editors and other
worry, I’m not going to try to explain the laws colleagues, both in the Business Spotlight team
of the game — to mean a score by a single and other departments at Spotlight Verlag.
player of 100 runs, the cricket term for points.
And a player who scores 100 runs is called a
“centurion”.
With this 100th issue of Business Spotlight,
we are also now centurions in a manner of PS: For details on how you can vote for your
speaking. To celebrate this special milestone, favourite Business Spotlight cover, see page 82.
Foto: Gert Krautbauer

March 2001: IAN MCMASTER,

the first issue EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
of Business i.mcmaster@
Spotlight spotlight-verlag.de

EDITORIAL 2/2019 Business Spotlight 3 

 34
CONTENTS
2/2019
The Big Picture Business Skills
6 South Korea  M 34 Leadership (2)  A   
Relaxing in a mock prison The challenges of managing
change
Working World Business Skills
8 Names & News  E  M  A    Cover story How to help your
The latest from the world Special team deal with
of business 46 100 Top Tips  M  
workplace changes
Useful advice from the first 100
Intercultural Communication issues of Business Spotlight
12 United Kingdom  A   
Beyond Brexit: the challenges Technology
facing the UK 66 English 4.0  M  
The Davos revolution
Global Business
22 Consumer Brands  A  Careers & Management
Selling in good conscience 68 Coaching  M
What it is and how it works
Facts & Figures 76 How to...  M  
26 LEGO  A  Work effectively from home
The building of an empire
77 Executive Eye  A 
Language Test Adrian Furnham on dealing
28 Marketing  E M  A  with cynics
How well do you know the
Work & Relax
correct terms?
78 In the Zone  M
Viewpoint Conversations at work
It’s Personal  A
33  80 Away from Your Desk  M
Elisabeth Ribbans on Tips for your off-duty hours
modern slavery
And Finally...
84 One Question  A
Language section How many people visit the queen at
her home each year?
54 V
 ocabulary
An observatory  E

12
Regular sections
Easy English
56 
3 Editorial
Dealing with
44 SprachenShop
interruptions  E   
63 Classified Ads
Translation
58  82 Feedback /
Tricky translations  M Jargon Buster
83 Preview / Impressum
Language Cards
59  Intercultural
To pull out and practise Communication
Reversing
62 G
 rammar
history? The
Present simple and present
UK, the EU
continuous  M   
and Brexit
English on the Move
64 
Using “Boris bikes”  M   

Key Words
65 
Vocabulary from this issue 

4  Business Spotlight 2/2019

 Learning with
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SPECIAL: 100 Top Tips spotlight-verlag.de
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68
pressions. In this issue, learn the
language of human resources.

For more articles, audio and exercises:

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Language in Business Spotlight

➻ Articles use the style, spelling, punctuation and pronuncia-
tion of British English unless otherwise marked.
Foto: Guy Bell/Alamy Stock Photo; Illustrationen: Yann Bastard; JDawnInk/iStock.com

➻ Articles that use American style, spelling, punctuation and

pronunciation are marked with “US”.

Approximately Approximately Approximately

at CEF level A2 at CEF levels B1–B2 at CEF levels C1–C2
CEF: European Framework of Reference for Languages

ifml.: informal word or phrase

vulg.: vulgar word or phrase; sl.: slang word or phrase
non-stand.: non-standard word or phrase
Careers & Management UK: chiefly British usage; US: chiefly North American usage
Let coaching take you
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CONTENTS 2/2019 Business Spotlight 5 

6  Business Spotlight 2/2019
 THE BIG PICTURE
SOUTH KOREA

Locked in
MEDIUM

Most of us try to avoid going to prison.

But in South Korea, some people are al-
lowing themselves to be locked up — and
are even paying for the privilege.
The would-be inmates want to escape
their stressful working lives. They pay
about €80 to spend 24 hours behind bars
at “Prison Inside Me”, a mock prison. They
give up their mobile phones, wear a pris-
on uniform and sleep on a yoga mat in a
room with a toilet but no mirror.
Co-founder Noh Ji-Hyang says the idea
came from her husband, a busy prosecu-
tor. “He said he would rather go into soli-
tary confinement for a week to take a rest
and feel better. That was the beginning,”
Noh told Reuters.
The facility opened in 2013. Since then,
it’s had over 2,000 visitors. “After a stay in
the prison, people say, ‘This is not a prison,
the real prison is where we return to’,” she
commented.

behind bars prosecutor

[bi)haInd (bA:z]  [(prQsIkju:tE] 
Foto: Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters/picture-alliance

,  hinter Gittern , Staatsanwalt/-anwältin

co-founder solitary confinement

[)kEU (faUndE]  [)sQlEtEri kEn(faInmEnt] 
, Mitgründer(in) , Einzelhaft

facility [fE(sIlEti]  would-be inmate

, Einrichtung [)wUd bi: (InmeIt] 
,  Insasse/Insassin auf
Say goodbye to mock [mQk] 
eigenen Wunsch
your mobile: , Attrappe; hier: Pseudo-
(would-be  , Möchtegern-)
it’s not needed
in prison

2/2019 Business Spotlight 7 

 WORKING WORLD
NAMES & NEWS

Super expensive:
Vancouver

CANADA  

Sky-high prices MEDIUM AUDIO PLUS

In most places, to be homeless means also have to have two or three roommates and blend sth. [blend]  housing [(haUzIN] 
to be jobless. But Vancouver has a diffe­ we probably wouldn’t get along at the end ,  etw. mixen ,  Wohnraum, Wohnungen

rent problem: housing in the Canadian of it,” Diddy told Maclean’s magazine. condominium marine battery
city is so overpriced that even well-paid City officials mainly ignore the illegal [)kQndE(mIniEm] N. Am.  [mE)ri:n (bÄtEri] 
, Eigentumswohnung , Schiffsbatterie
construction workers and tradespeople campers, unless there are complaints.
converted [kEn(v§:tId]  motorhome
are living in illegal settlements, such as That was the case when a local business
, umgebaut [(mEUtEhEUm] 
under elevated train tracks. reported that someone had been stealing , Wohnmobil
drywaller [(draIwO:lE]
Mike Diddy works as a drywaller, power by running an extension cord from N. Am. , Trockenbauer(in) roommate
building an apartment tower where con­ a motorhome parked on the street to the [(ru:mmeIt] 
elevated [(elIveItId] 
dominium prices start at Can$ 500,000 firm’s outdoor socket. , Mitbewohner(in)
, erhöht
(about €330,000). He lives in a converted Diddy doesn’t need to steal power, get along [)get E(lQN] 
run an extension cord
[)rVn En Ik(stenS&n kO:d] 
school bus because he says he can’t afford though. The 38-year-old uses two marine ,  (miteinander) auskom-
,  ein Verlängerungskabel
monthly rents of nearly Can$ 2,000 for a batteries to provide electricity on the bus. men, sich verstehen
verlegen
one-bedroom apartment. “For me to get “They last forever — as long as I’m not homeless [(hEUmlEs] 
socket [(sQkIt] 
, obdachlos
a place I’d want to be [living in], I would blending margaritas,” he comments. , Steckdose

8  Business Spotlight 2/2019 WORKING WORLD

 GLOBAL

Understanding
fashion’s messages EASY

Does Melania Trump’s clothing have a frilly, rather than one of the world’s largest
message? And do your fashion choices economies.”
say something about your personality? Fashion psychologist Dawnn Karen
Questions like these are the subject teaches at the Fashion Institute of Tech­
Melania:
of fashion psychology. Carolyn Mair cre­ nology in New York. The 30-year-old is what is she
ated the first psychology of fashion de­ often asked by the media to comment on saying?
gree programme, in 2014. Mair, a neuro­ the First Lady’s fashion choices.
scientist, teaches at the University of the “She doesn’t talk, and she doesn’t show
degree programme frilly [(frIli] 
Arts London. She told the Financial Times any emotion on her face, so everyone [di(gri: )prEUgrÄm] UK  , aufgeputzt;
that up to now, the field has been largely wants to know, ‘What is she thinking?’” , Studiengang hier: schmückend
ignored. “I think that’s because of the rep­ Karen says of Trump. “Fortunately, she’s frivolous [(frIvElEs] 
utation that fashion has as frivolous and really expressive through her clothes.” , unseriös

PROFILE

Not lost
I was not
raised with
in space
MEDIUM AUDIO

wealth or
resources or
The Australian Space Agency, formed in
2018, has a budget of just over A$ 41 million

any social
(€26 million) — spread over four years. That
doesn’t worry the agency’s CEO, Dr Megan

standing to
Clark. She plans to increase the industry’s
value to at least $7 billion a year by 2030.

speak of
Clark started her career as a geologist in
the mining industry. At the time, women
were not permitted to work underground.
“The game was then that if a mines inspector
Fotos: Max Baumann/iStock.com; Mandel Ngan, Roy Rochlin/Getty Images; CSIRO

Eyes on the stars: came, you came up to the surface, and as long
Dr Megan Clark as they didn’t see you working underground
or as long as you weren’t ‘blatantly’ working
underground, they would sort of turn a blind
eye,” she told The New York Times. “And I just
thought that lacked integrity: ‘This is what
billion [(bIljEn]  mining industry
I do, and I’m not going to hide from that.’”
Author (Becoming) and former US , Milliarde(n) [(maInIN )IndEstri]  When an inspector caught Clark working
First Lady Michelle Obama, 55 , Bergbau(industrie)
blatantly underground, her boss was told either to
[(bleIt&ntli]  speak up for sb. fire her or put her in a different job. Instead,
raise (a child) social standing , offenkundig [)spi:k (Vp fO:]  he spoke up for her; the law was changed in
[reIz]  [)sEUS&l (stÄndIN]  ,  jmdn. verteidigen
,  (ein Kind) groß- , gesellschaftliches
CEO (chief executive 1986. Clark says she receives a lot of letters
officer) [)si: i: (EU]  turn a blind eye
ziehen Ansehen
, Direktor(in), (to sth.)
from children who are filled with curiosity
resources to speak of Leiter(in) [)t§:n E )blaInd (aI about space. “Some people get [that curi­
[ri(zO:sIz]  [)tE (spi:k Qv]  (tu:)] ,  (über etw.) osity] beaten out of them, but some people
, Mittel , nennenswert
game [geIm] 
hinwegsehen
,  hier: Regeln don’t, and they end up in the space sector.”

WORKING WORLD 2/2019 Business Spotlight 9 

 Up and down MEDIUM

Sales of plant-based foods rose 17 per cent in the US in 2017,

as a result of health and environmental concerns over the
consumption of meat. However, global consumption of
meat is forecast to increase by 76 per cent by 2050.
Sources: Financial Times; Food and Agriculture Organization (www.fao.org)

environmental concerns forecast sth. [(fO:kA:st] 

[InvaI&rEn)ment&l ,  etw. prognostizieren
kEn(s§:nz] 

UP
, Umweltschutzbelange
Shopping:
difficult for
the disabled

BRITAIN

Help for disabled

customers
ADVANCED

Many businesses have taken steps to increase accessibility for

disabled customers — for example by installing lifts or wheel-
DOWN
chair ramps — but critics like consultant Molly Watt say that
their efforts are falling far short of what people with disabilities
actually need. “Too many retailers believe that ‘accessibility’ The number of female CEOs at FTSE 350 companies (the
means having step-free access for wheelchairs, but it’s so much 350 largest companies in Britain) fell from 15 to 12 in 2017–
more,” comments Watt, usability and accessibility consultant 18, according to the 2018 “Hampton–Alexander Review”.
for the experience design agency Sigma in Macclesfield and Sources: Financial Times; FTSE Women Leaders (https://ftsewomenleaders)
Cambridge. “I’ve been refused entry to premises in the past, be-
cause I’ve been with my guide dog,” Watt, who has Usher syn- CEO (chief executive review [ri(vju:] 
drome, an incurable genetic condition, told The Telegraph. officer) [)si: i: (EU]  ,  hier: Bericht
, Vorstands-
Watt says businesses can help disabled customers by keep-
vorsitzende(r)
ing shop floors clear, providing large-text or Braille signage, and

30%
allowing disabled customers to avoid queues. She also suggests
housekeeping staff
providing audio induction loops for people with hearing aids.
[(haUski:pIN stA:f] 
Ceri Smith, policy and campaigns manager at the disabled , Raumpflegepersonal;
charity Scope, says retailers need to be better trained. “Poor or hier auch: Zimmerservice
patronizing attitudes, and being ignored or talked over have a maid [meId] 
big impact on the experience of disabled shoppers.” , Zimmermädchen

tip [tIp] 
, Trinkgeld
accessibility disabled [dIs(eIb&ld]  premises [(premIsIz] 
[Ek)sesE(bIlEti]  , behindert , Räumlichkeiten;
, Zugänglichkeit; hier: Geschäftsräume
fall far short of sth.
hier auch: Barrierefreiheit
[)fO:l fA: (SO:t Qv]   queue [kju:] UK  Only about 30 per cent of guests at
audio induction loop ,  etw. bei weitem nicht , (Warte-)Schlange US hotels leave a tip for housekeep-
[)O:diEU In(dVkS&n lu:p]  erreichen
,  induktive Höranlage
retailer [(ri:teI&lE]  ing staff, according to a Texas Tech
hearing aid , Einzelhändler(in)
University study. Unlike in restau-
Braille signage [(hIErIN eId] 
talk over sb. [)tO:k (EUvE]  rants, where tips are expected, many
[)breI&l (saInIdZ]  , Hörgerät
,  jmdn. nicht zu Wort
,  Beschilderung in
patronizing kommen lassen
people do not realize they should
Brailleschrift
[(pÄtrEnaIzIN]  leave a tip for maids and cleaners, Sources:
wheelchair ramp The New York Times;
disability [)dIsE(bIlEti]  , bevormundend, Professor Shane C. Blum told The New
[(wi:&ltSeE rÄmp]  Texas Tech University
, Behinderung gönnerhaft
, Rollstuhlrampe York Times. (https://www.ttu.edu)

10  Business Spotlight 2/2019 WORKING WORLD

 THE RIVALS
Wichtig für den Erfolg eines Unternehmens sind
Kundenpflege und Planung der Ressourcen.
EAMONN FITZGERALD vergleicht die beiden
Haupthersteller der dazu benötigten Software.
MEDIUM

SAP SALESFORCE
FOUNDED April 1972 FOUNDED February 1999

HEADQUARTERS Walldorf,
Germany 95,000
Employees
30,000
Employees
HEADQUARTERS San Francisco,
California, USA

CEO Bill McDermott CEOs Marc Benioff, Keith Block

CRM SAP’s software serves

businesses in all industries and
413,000
Customers in more
150,000
Customers in
CRM The Salesforce CRM service
consists of several main catego-
is moving towards cloud-based than 180 countries 120 countries ries, including Commerce Cloud,
solutions rather than traditional Sales Cloud, Service Cloud and
on-site CRM.

ERP Available in 35 languages, the

€23.77 BILLION
Revenue 2017
$8.39 BILLION
Revenue 2017
App Cloud.

ERP The Kenandy Cloud offers

market leader, SAP’s ERP system, an alternative form of ERP that
simplifies business processes works with objects instead of
across procurement, manufac-
turing, service, sales, finance and
1,359,000
Followers on LinkedIn
1,158,000
Followers on LinkedIn
modules.

HR. www.linkedin.com/ AMERICAN, INCLUSIVE The board of

www.linkedin.com/
company/sap directors includes Neelie Kroes,
company/salesforce
EUROPEAN, INCLUSIVE SAP changed former EC vice president; Susan
its legal form in 2014 from an Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube; and
“AG” to a European Company
(Societas Europaea, SE). The 250,000
Followers on Twitter
445,000
Followers on Twitter
Robin L. Washington, executive
vice president of Gilead Sciences.
18-member supervisory board
@SAP @salesforce
includes people from Finland, ETHICS Paula Goldman was
the US, France and Slovakia. appointed chief ethical and

ETHICS In September 2018, SAP

formed an ethics panel on its use
1,062,000
Likes on Facebook
720,000
Likes on Facebook
humane use officer in December
2018 to develop a technology use
strategy for the company.
of artificial intelligence (AI). www.facebook.com/SAP www.facebook.com/salesforce
ENVIRONMENT Salesforce has
ENVIRONMENT SAP promises to
become carbon neutral in all its SLOGAN SLOGAN net-zero greenhouse gas emis-
sions and provides a carbon-
Fotos: Nejron Photo, Volina/Shutterstock.com; pr

operations by 2025. “Run simple” “No software” neutral cloud for all customers.

billion [(bIljEn]  CEO (chief executive ERP (enterprise resource found sth. [faUnd]  net zero [)net (zIErEU]  revenue
, Milliarde(n) officer) [)si: i: (EU]  planning) [)i: A: (pi:]  ,  etw. gründen ,  hier: auf Null reduziert [(revEnju:] 
, Firmenchef(in) , Geschäftsressourcen- , Umsatzerlös(e)
board of directors greenhouse gas on site [)Qn (saIt] 
planung
[)bO:d Ev dE(rektEz]  CRM (customer [)gri:nhaUs (gÄs]  ,  vor Ort supervisory board
, Leitungsgremium relationship management) executive vice president , Treibhausgas [)su:pE(vaIzEri bO:d] 
procurement
[)si: A:r (em]  [Ig)zekjUtIv )vaIs , Aufsichtsrat
carbon HR (human resources) [prE(kjUEmEnt] 
, Kundenbeziehungs- (prezIdEnt] ,  etwa: stell-
[(kA:bEn] , CO2 [)eItS (A:] , Personalwesen , Beschaffung
management vertretende(r) Leiter(in)

WORKING WORLD 2/2019 Business Spotlight 11 

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
UNITED KINGDOM

FROM
STABILITY
TO CHAOS Uncertain future:
troubled times
ahead for the
British people
 Versinkt das Vereinigte Königreich, das bisher zu den the lines because there is rarely anything there to read. When
Stützpfeilern der EU gehörte, schon bald im politischen, confronted with the indirect communication style of the Brit-
wirtschaftlichen und kulturellen Chaos? Wir haben ish, you have to ask yourself not “What did that person say?” but
rather “What did that person mean?”. So, when a Brit remarks,
Meinungen von Experten über Aspekte und Folgen des
“We’ve got a bit of a problem with your booking”, you have to
Brexit zusammengestellt und nennen in einer Zeittafel work out how big the “bit” is. It may be small but it may also be
wichtige Stationen des Landes innerhalb Europas. quite big.
Such a preference for indirectness means that open disagree-
ADVANCED  AUDIO  PLUS
ment is often avoided. Before the face-threatening expression
of a different opinion, a spot of face-giving often takes place to
protect the relationship from unintended collateral damage. For
example, “I see what you mean but…”.
Cultural differences do not necessarily cause difficulties, but

B
when these differences are in contradiction to each other, prob-
lems, or at least feelings of discomfort, can result.
Such a case is to be found in the general preference for infor-
ritain has long been seen as one of Europe’s most mality and the breaking down of interpersonal distance between
reliable and stable countries. Since the momen- people in the United Kingdom. This preference contrasts with
tous Brexit referendum on 23 June 2016, however, the more differentiated approach to reducing or maintaining
the UK has been mired in political chaos. The vote interpersonal distance in German work settings, and the great-
split the country, with 52 per cent wanting to leave er formality that this can lead to. My research shows that this
the EU and 48 per cent voting to remain. The final greater formality is often felt by Brits in their encounters with
outcome of the Brexit debates and negotiations re- Germans, especially by those unfamiliar to communicating with
mains unknown. Whatever the outcome, the coun- Germans.
try needs to gather its thoughts, come back together This informality of the British and, for example, the ease with
and start to heal. In this special report, we hear from which more personal small talk can occur, should not be misun-
experts on intercultural communication, econom- derstood by Germans as a sign of a desire for a closer relation-
ics, language and business. ship or friendship. Rather, it is aimed at creating a platform that
is conducive to getting the task done. In this way, the Brits tend
to be somewhat less directly task-oriented than the Germans.
1. COMMUNICATION This informality is most obvious in the use of banter and hu-
mour on subjects and especially in contexts that many Germans
PETER FRANKLIN is a professor of intercul- would find inappropriate. In Britain, practically every context is
tural business and management communica-
tion at the Konstanz University of Applied
an appropriate place for humour. In German settings, humour
Sciences (https://www.htwg-konstanz.de). He tends to be restricted to certain predictable contexts; doing
has been supporting British-German companies business with strangers is not one of them. This leads to the still
and teams for more than 25 years. He is
widespread but clearly false belief in Britain that the Germans
co-author with Jeremy Comfort of The Mind-
ful International Manager (Kogan Page) and have an impoverished sense of humour.
co-editor with Christoph Barmeyer of Inter-
cultural Management (Palgrave Macmillan).
banter [(bÄntE]  editor [(edItE]  outcome [(aUtkVm] 
, Geplänkel , Redakteur(in) , Ergebnis

bother [(bQDE]  encounter [In(kaUntE]  pleasantry [(plez&ntri] 

I was running late with this article. I hadn’t sent it in by the ,  sich die Mühe machen , Begegnung ,  Höflichkeit, Nettigkeit

agreed deadline. After a few typically British pleasantries at the break sth. down heal [hi:&l]  predictable
beginning of a reminder email to me from Business Spotlight, the [)breIk (daUn]  ,  hier: wieder zusammen- [pri(dIktEb&l] 
,  hier: etw. überwinden finden , vorhersehbar;
editor responsible wrote, “I wondered whether you had found hier: klar umrissen
time to write the text as agreed”. He knew I hadn’t found time clarity [(klÄrEti]  impoverished
, Klarheit [Im(pQvErISt]  run late with sth.
Fotos: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters/picture-alliance; privat

because he hadn’t received the text. I knew that he knew that. ,  dürftig, wenig [)rVn (leIt )wID] 
conducive: be ~ to sth.
And he knew that I knew that he knew. So, why bother to skate [kEn(dju:sIv] 
ausgeprägt ,  spät dran sein, etw.
zu tun
around the truth of my lateness? ,  für etw. förderlich sein inappropriate
Whereas Germans typically value direct and explicit commu- [)InE(prEUpriEt]  setting [(setIN] 
contradiction: be in ~ to
, unangebracht ,  Umfeld, Umgebung
nication for its clarity, speed and honesty, the British tend to pre- sth. [)kQntrE(dIkS&n] 
fer indirect and implicit messages because of their face-saving ,  im Widerspruch zu etw. mired: be ~ in sth. skate around sth.
stehen [(maIEd] ,  in etw. stecken [)skeIt E(raUnd] 
and, from their point of view, relationship-cultivating politeness ,  hier etwa: um etw.
discomfort [dIs(kVmfEt]  momentous
— perhaps more so in private life than at work, but also there. , Unbehagen [mEU(mentEs] 
herumreden
Such indirectness needs interpreting. And this can be a prob- , folgenschwer work sth. out
ease [i:z] 
lem for many Germans because they generally say what they , Leichtigkeit, occur [E(k§:] 
[)w§:k (aUt] 
,  etw. herausfinden
mean and mean what they say. There is no need to read between Ungezwungenheit , stattfinden

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION 2/2019 Business Spotlight 13 

 Very (Johnny)
English: humour
plays a key
role in British
communication

And so to Brexit. Such contradictory values and preferences 2. ECONOMICS

can also be used to explain the different attitudes of British sup-
porters of Brexit (“leavers”) and many Germans to this unprec- JONATHAN PORTES is a professor of eco-
nomics and public policy at King’s College
edented attempt to reverse history. London and one of the country’s leading
Research tells us that Germany tends to be a culture that experts on Brexit and immigration. He is
has a fairly strong need to avoid uncertainty, while it values or- also a senior fellow of the platform “The
UK in a Changing Europe” (http://ukandeu.
derliness and creates and applies tools such as rules, plans, pro-
ac.uk). Portes was chief economist at the
cesses and structures to reduce the discomfort and threat that Department for Work and Pensions from 2002
uncertainty and disorder may bring. In contrast, research tells to 2008, and at the Cabinet Office from
us that British culture has a very low need to avoid uncertainty 2008 to 2011.

and doesn’t see it as a threat. This may explain the willingness of

52 per cent of those voting in the 2016 referendum to approach
the political, social and economic upheaval of Brexit without a You led the Cabinet Office’s economic analysis during the
plan A, let alone a plan B. It may also explain the widespread in- financial crisis. What lessons has the UK learned?
credulity in Germany at the same lack of plans. We’ve learned some narrow lessons. It’s clear that banks are bet-
The need to avoid uncertainty leads in German business and ter regulated and better capitalized. And I think banks are better
management to the emphasis being placed on methods, pro- able to withstand another crisis. But as for the wider question of
cesses and structures as compared with the more pragmatic
Fotos: ddp Filmfotos; georgeclerk/iStock.com; provat

and flexible approach of Brits to achieving results. For the Brits,

apparently [E(pÄrEntli]  emphasis reverse history [ri)v§:s
what is good is what works and not what should work. This means ,  allem Anschein nach [(emfEsIs]  (hIstri] ,  das Rad der
that they may appear disorganized or even chaotic and unpro- appreciation
,  Gewichtung, Betonung Geschichte zurückdrehen
fessional to Germans, whereas Germans may appear inflexible [E)pri:Si(eIS&n]  incredulity unprecedented
and bureaucratic to the British. ,  Würdigung, Verständnis [)InkrE(dju:lEti]  [Vn(presIdentId] 
, Ungläubigkeit ,  noch nie dagewesen
“Understand yourself as well as the others” is the first step bureaucratic
[)bjUErE(krÄtIk]  let alone [)let E(lEUn]  upheaval [Vp(hi:v&l] 
to acceptance and appreciation of cultural differences and thus
,  [wg. Aussprache] ,  geschweige denn ,  Umbruch, Turbulenz(en)
adaptation and improved cooperation across cultural borders
contradictory narrow [(nÄrEU]  withstand sth.
— even between such apparently similar cultures as the British [)kQntrE(dIktEri]  ,  hier: eng; begrenzt [wID(stÄnd] 
and German ones. Text: Peter Franklin , widersprüchlich ,  etw. überstehen

14  Business Spotlight 2/2019 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

London life:
have the lessons
been learned
from the financial
crisis?

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION 2/2019 Business Spotlight 15 

 the instability that comes from having a very large, very com- redistribution and government involvement in the economy if
plicated, interconnected financial system that nobody can fully you want. Again, you may be constrained. But you couldn’t move
understand — no, I don’t think we fixed, or even know how to to a Hong Kong version of capitalism. And you couldn’t move to
fix, these more serious systemic issues. I think the probability is a fully centrally planned economy.
that, at some point, there will be another financial crisis.
Many people in the UK
How would you describe the British economy? Is it a balanced
economy?
The British economy is a liberal, fairly open, globally oriented
“People blamed see the EU primarily as
an economic construct.
Do you think that re-
economy that trades a lot, increasingly in services, such as finan-
cial services. And a lot of that is very successful. But it is very
much London-focused, and it has not necessarily delivered the the European Union. veals a basic misunder-
standing?
Yes, I do. And I think that

They should have

same benefits to large parts of the country or to large sections is one way in which the
of the population. eurozone crisis played
I’m not sure “balanced” or “unbalanced” is quite the right very much into Brexit,

blamed the British

question, although there are serious risks attached to having despite the fact that it
such a large financial system, not only for us but for the whole didn’t have many direct
world. The point is not to rebalance the economy or to make implications for the UK.

government”
London less successful. It’s more about ensuring that econom- In Britain, we thought
ic development reaches the people in places where it has been of the EU as being an
less successful. This is not really about economics; it’s about so- economic structure, and
cial policy. It is not the fault of the economic system that home- we thought it would
lessness in the UK has shot up in the past five or six years. It is a be broadly positive for
direct consequence of government policy. Similarly, a lot of the us. Even if we had some problems with the EU, British people
decrease in the quality of our public services isn’t a direct conse- would grudgingly accept that it was good for us. But when the
quence of our economic system. It’s a consequence of economic EU made such a mess of the eurozone crisis, I think that people
and social policies that we could change relatively easily. in the UK thought: “Well, if the EU is failing on the economic
side, what’s in it for us?”
Why do you think the UK voted for Brexit?
There is a mixture of political and economic factors. But I would Throughout history, Britain has gone through periods in
caution against the idea that Brexit was the result of a reaction which it was more open to the world and more closed to the
by people who were “left behind” or by people in the north of world. Is the current UK situation part of a wider historical
England. How much you earn wasn’t really a big driver. Younger, cycle or is it unique?
more educated, more liberal voters voted to remain. And older, All I can say is that, for me personally, this feels different. This
more conservative, less educated people voted to leave. And, in feels like a pretty big moment in the UK’s history. I’m in my early
fact, more people in the south of England voted for Brexit than 50s, and I’ve been working in British public policy and economic
in the north — simply because more people live there. To a large policy for 30 years. And it feels like a very big moment.
extent, Brexit was driven by retired people and older people, Interview: Paul Wheatley
many of whom had done relatively well over the past ten years.
So it’s not just economics. The strongest correlations for voting
for Brexit are actually cultural and attitudinal indicators. That’s austerity election manifesto play into sth.
[O:(sterEti]  [i(lekS&n mÄnI)festEU]  [(pleI )Intu] 
partly, but not only, about immigration. But there were clearly , Strenge; hier: Spar- , Wahlprogramm ,  hier: für etw. förderlich
also some economic factors: the impact of austerity drove Brexit maßnahmen, -politik sein
ensure sth.
to some extent. People blamed the European Union or the polit- broadly [In(SO:]  pursue sth.
ical class or immigration for the effects of austerity. In fact, they [(brO:dli]  ,  etw. sicherstellen [pE(sju:] 
,  ganz allgemein ,  etw. verfolgen;
should have blamed the British government. fix (a problem)
hier: betreiben
caution against sth. [fIks] 
[(kO:S&n E)genst]  ,  (ein Problem) lösen reveal sth.
What do you say to those who believe that the EU is indeed ,  vor etw. warnen [ri(vi:&l] 
grudgingly
part of the problem, that it’s a neoliberal club that supports a ,  etw. (auf)zeigen
constrained: be ~ by sth. [(grVdZINli] 
turbocharged form of capitalism? [kEn(streInd]  ,  ungern, widerwillig turbocharged
The EU has countries with a wide variety of social and eco- ,  durch etw. eingeschränkt
homelessness
[(t§:bEUtSA:dZd] 
sein ,  mit Turboaufladung;
nomic models. And they have a wide variety of approaches to
Fotos: SolStock/iStock.com; privat

[(hEUmlEsnEs] 
hier: ungezügelt, entfesselt
regulating the labour market and so on. There was nothing in cycle [(saIk&l]  , Obdachlosigkeit
,  hier: Periode unique [ju(ni:k] 
the Labour Party’s 2017 election manifesto that you couldn’t implication
, einmalig
driver [(draIvE]  [)ImplI(keIS&n] 
do within the European Union. Yes, you can pursue so-called
,  hier: Faktor ,  Folge, Konsequenz What’s in it for us?
turbocharged neoliberal capitalism to some extent if you want. [)wQts In It fEr (Vs] 
mess: make a ~ of sth.
But you would be constrained by the rules about workers’ rights [mes] ,  etw. vermasseln;
,  Was haben wir davon?

and so on. And you could have a fairly radical programme of hier: schlecht bewältigen

16  Business Spotlight 2/2019 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

 Education: one
of Britain’s
most important
exports

3. LANGUAGE AND EDUCATION

artists across the country, and it has partnerships with educa-
RACHEL LAUNAY is the director tional and other institutions.
of the British Council in Berlin.
The British Council is the UK’s
While the British Council has successfully promoted Eng-
international organization for lish abroad, the UK government has failed to promote second-
cultural relations. language learning for British people, even though research
(https://www.britishcouncil.de).
shows this can be good for your career, providing both more job
opportunities and a higher salary.
Launay laments the gradual demise of language-learning in
UK schools. Since 2004, learning a second language in schools
has no longer been compulsory at 16 for children studying for
the GCSE level exams. As a result, just 47 per cent of 16-year-
“A second language immediately changes the connection that olds now do so. The most popular foreign language learned in
you have with people,” says Rachel Launay, who has led the Brit- schools is French, though the number of students was down
ish Council in Germany for four years and travelled across the by a third in 2018 compared to 2005. The number of students
country supporting and encouraging British–German relations. studying German has seen a slightly larger fall, and Spanish has
Fluent in French and German, and able to communicate in Kore- now replaced German as the second-most studied second lan-
an and Thai, Launay is a passionate linguist and internationalist. guage for the GCSE exam. Uncertainty over Brexit also means
Though deeply troubled by the Brexit referendum result, she’s that schools are now finding it difficult to attract language teach-
determined that cooperation and friendship between the two ers from EU countries.
countries should remain strong.
The British Council promotes intercultural relations and
compulsory fluent: be ~ in (a language) lament sth.
inter-educational opportunities between Britain and the more [kEm(pVls&ri]  [(flu:Ent] , (eine [lE(ment] 
than 100 countries around the world in which the British Coun- , verpflichtend Sprache) fließend sprechen ,  etw. beklagen

cil is represented. In Germany alone, the British Council puts demise [di(maIz]  GCSE (General Certificate showcase sb./sth.
some 18,000 people through the IELTS (International English , Ableben; of Secondary Education) [(SEUkeIs] 
hier: Niedergang [)dZi: si: es (i:] UK  ,  jmdn./etw. präsentieren
Language Testing System) examination every year — a key qual- ,  etwa: Realschul-
ification for studying at universities. It also showcases British abschluss

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION 2/2019 Business Spotlight 17 

 Launay accepts that Brits are less motivated to learn a second
language because of the role of English across the world. “Eng-
lish is the global language of business, plus in many areas of
“You automatically
research and medicine,” she says. She also points out that learn-
ing a language is not always easy and that schoolchildren all too
often choose an easier subject of study, in the hope of getting
create a positive
higher marks.
Yet the benefits of a second language are clear. On the basis of
a 2017 study of 600 employees, the British Council con­cluded:
relationship if you
“UK nationals without language skills lose out not simply be-
cause they are limited in their ability to communicate, but as
a knock-on effect of having restricted access to overseas work speak to somebody in
his or her language”
experience, a lack of international business sense, a failure to
appreciate that other cultures have different ways of doing
things and a misunderstanding of the global importance of
British culture.”
The British Council’s 2018 report “Languages for the Future”
says the UK needs to “reach out beyond English, not only to
maintain and improve our economic position but to build trust,
deepen international influence and cultural relationships, and to
keep our country safe”. appreciate sth. mark [mA:k] UK  point sth. out
“You automatically create a positive relationship and con- [E(pri:SieIt]  , Note [)pOInt (aUt] 
,  etw. würdigen, ,  auf etw. hinweisen
nection if you speak to somebody in his or her language,” says verstehen
knock-on effect
[)nQk (Qn E)fekt]  reach out
Launay. “It’s not only about trade and business. When you com-
conclude , Folgewirkung [)ri:tS (aUt] 
municate in the language of the person you are talking to, you [kEn(klu:d]  ,  hier: seinen Radius
lose out [)lu:z (aUt] 
are showing a generosity of spirit and openness.” ,  zu dem Schluss kommen
,  das Nachsehen haben,
erweitern
Text: Paul Wheatley schlechter dastehen

TIMELINE: BRITAIN AND EUROPE

1945: Former prime minister Winston Cameron, Britain votes by 52 to 48 per
Churchill proposes “a kind of United cent to leave the EU
States of Europe” 2017: On 29 March, the British government
1957: The UK decides not to sign the Treaty under Conservative prime minister
of Rome, which led to the founding Theresa May triggers the two-year
of the EEC (European Economic “Article 50” process for leaving the EU.
Community) on 1 January 1958 Midnight on 29 March 2019 is set as
1963: Britain applies to join the EEC. France the moment Britain will leave the EU
vetoes Britain’s entry 2018: In July, the British parliament passes
1967: Britain applies again to join the EEC. the “European Union (Withdrawal) Act
France again vetoes Britain’s entry 2018”. Parliament is given the final say
1973: Under Conservative prime minister over the negotiated agreement with
Edward Heath, Britain finally joins the the EU
EEC 2019: On 15 January, by a majority of 230
1973: Labour prime minister Harold Wilson votes, the British parliament rejects
holds a referendum on Britain’s the withdrawal deal that prime
membership of the EEC. Two thirds of minister Theresa May has negotiated
the British vote to stay in with the EU
1990: Arguments about Britain’s policy
towards the rest of Europe contribute
to the resignation of Margaret
Fotos: dpa/picture-alliance; Kathy deWitt/Alamy Stock Photo

Thatcher as prime minister

EEC (European Economic resignation
1992: Black Wednesday: Britain is forced
to leave the European Exchange Community) [)i: i: (si:]  [)rezIg(neIS&n] 
Rate Mechanism. The pound falls , EWG , Rücktritt
dramatically exchange rate mecha- single currency
1995: Britain does not take part in the nism [Iks(tSeIndZ reIt [)sINg&l (kVrEnsi] 
Schengen Agreement but keeps its )mekEnIzEm]  ,  Einheits-, Gemein-
own border controls , Wechselkurs- schaftswährung
1999: The European single currency (“euro”)
mechanismus
is launched. Britain does not take part trigger sth. [(trIgE] 
2004: Ten new states join the EU. Unlike final say: be given the ~ ,  etw. auslösen
Germany, Britain agrees to the [)faIn&l (seI] 
freedom of the new EU citizens to live withdrawal
,  das letzte Wort haben
Theresa May: and work in the UK [wID(drO:El] 
still in charge? 2016: In a referendum on 23 June, called by founding [(faUndIN]  ,  hier: Austritt
Conservative prime minister David , Gründung

18  Business Spotlight 2/2019 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

 Where now?
Young Britons
Fotos: XX

typically voted
against Brexit

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION 2/2019 Business Spotlight 19 

 4. BUSINESS
breed sth. [bri:d]  place [pleIs] 
MATHIAS DUBBERT is director, European
,  etw. züchten; ,  hier: Standort
policy, EU foreign trade promotion for hier: erzeugen
the German Chamber of Commerce (DIHK) in relocate sth.
Brussels. https://www.dihk.de/personal/ chamber of commerce [)ri:lEU(keIt] 
mathias-dubbert [)tSeImbEr Ev (kQm§:s]  ,  etw. verlagern,
, Handelskammer transferieren
outer space [)aUtE (speIs] 
, (Welt-)All

“I started working in Brussels one week after the Brexit ref- FAST FACTS:

UNITED
erendum,” recalls Mathias Dubbert at the German Chamber of
Commerce (DIHK) in the city. “One of my first questions to my

KINGDOM
new boss was: ‘Who’s going to deal with Brexit?’” A smile and a
“Have fun!” was enough for Dubbert to realize it would be him.
At the time, “Brussels was in a kind of shock,” remembers
Dubbert. Regardless of what happens with the Brexit discus-
sions, Dubbert knows how important it is for Britain and the EU The UK is made up of England, Scot-
to be reliable partners. “Of course, businesses are very concerned land, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its
about Brexit,” he says. “We are talking about 2,500 places of busi- longer name is the United King-
ness for German companies in the UK and they provide around dom of Great Britain and North-
400,000 jobs.” In turn, there are around 1,400 British companies ern Ireland.
in Germany, with about 240,000 employees. Great Britain is made up of
The United Kingdom was the fourth-biggest market for Ger- England, Scotland and Wales.
man exports in 2017, with a total trade volume (exports and
imports) of some €121.5 billion. “This shows how important Capital: London
the market is for German businesses,” says Dubbert. “Around
Other main cities: Manchester,
750,000 jobs in Germany depend on trading with the UK.”
Birmingham
German companies have investments in the UK totalling
more than €140 billion. But uncertainty breeds doubt, and that Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II
is never good for business. In 2018, one in 12 German companies
Head of government: Prime Minister
doing business in the UK said they were planning to relocate
Theresa May
their UK investments, mainly to Germany and other EU mar-
kets. Population: 66 million (2017)
Dubbert readily admits that the EU doesn’t get everything Official languages: English, Welsh (in
right and that reform is required. But he also says that there are Wales)
misunderstandings about how the EU functions. “The Council
of the European Union and the member states tell the European Currency: pound sterling (£1 = €1.15)
Union what to do,” says Dubbert. “It’s not the European Union GDP: USD 2.925 trillion, making it the
from outer space. It’s led by the member states: London, Berlin, world’s fifth-biggest economy, using
Paris and other capitals tell Brussels what to do.” purchasing power parity (2017 est.) Fotos: Leontura/iStock.com; Peter Hermes Furian/Shutterstock.com; privat
Text: Paul Wheatley
GDP annual growth: 1.7% (2017 est.)

Unemployment: 4.4% (2017 est.)

Inflation: 2.6% (2017 est.)

AUDIO + PLUS

You can listen to annual [(ÄnjuEl]  GDP (gross domestic

opinions on this , jährlich product) [)dZi: di: (pi:] 
topic on Business ,  BIP (Bruttoinlands-
Spotlight Audio, currency [(kVrEnsi] 
produkt)
and test your , Währung
knowledge of the purchasing power parity
UK in our exercise est. (estimate)
[)p§:tSEsIN )paUE
booklet, Business [(estImEt] 
(pÄrEti] 
Spotlight Plus. To , Schätzung
PAUL WHEATLEY , Kaufkraftparität
order, go to www.
is a British-born writer specializing in
aboshop.spotlight- trillion [(trIljEn] 
culture, travel, business and history. verlag.de , Billion(en)
Contact: pwspotlight@runbox.com

20  Business Spotlight 2/2019 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

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GLOBAL BUSINESS
MARKETING

BRAND BRAVERY
OR SIMPLE MARKETING?
Übernehmen große Unternehmen, die in der Werbung
für ihre Produkte Stellung beziehen, gesellschafliche
Verantwortung oder ist alles nur geschicktes Marketing?
TOM McCARTHY geht dieser Frage nach.
 W
hat’s more American: blue jeans or guns?
It used to be that you didn’t have to choose.
That was before the announcement last au-
tumn by Levi Strauss & Co., the 165-year-old
denim company, of a partnership with Every-
town for Gun Safety and other gun violence
prevention groups.
“While taking a stand can be unpopular with
some, doing nothing is no longer an option,”
wrote Chip Bergh, Levi’s chief executive. “Busi-
ness has a critical role to play and a moral obli-
gation to do something.”
The National Rifle Association (NRA) responded, declaring
it “a particularly sad episode in the current surge in corporate
virtue-signalling”.
“We can only assume that Levi’s accountants have deter-
mined that resulting skinny-jeans sales will be enough to offset
the permanent damage to their once-cherished brand,” the gun
lobbyists said.
Levi’s move did not have the markings of a purely venal busi-
ness play: Bergh, a former US army captain, has spoken out about
guns before. But with Nike announcing controversial football
player Colin Kaepernick as its latest spokesman the same week,
and a surprising wave of brands taking stands on issues they
might have avoided in the past, the NRA accusation had bite.
Is this new brand bravery for real? And if so, what’s driving it?
As consumers are roiled by Facebook fights and riven by mis-
trust in Donald Trump’s America, corporations have confronted
the old question — of how to move product — with sometimes
experimental answers, analysts say, and deeply mixed results.

“Brands that stand for something”

“More and more, consumers are looking for brands that stand for
something and take a position, so that they can make a decision
for themselves if that represents their identity and their values,”
said Todd Fischer, a senior vice president at GMR Marketing,

accountant [E(kaUntEnt]  rifle [(raIf&l] , Gewehr take a stand

, Buchhalter(in) [)teIk E (stÄnd] 
riven [(rIv&n] , gespalten;
Foto: Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

,  Stellung beziehen
bite: have ~ [baIt]  hier: heimgesucht
,  hier: eine nicht unbe- venal [(vi:n&l] 
roiled [rOI&ld] US 
rechtigte Stichelei sein , käuflich; hier: aus kalku-
,  in Aufruhr versetzt
latorischen Gründen
cherished [(tSerISt] 
spokesman [(spEUksmEn] 
, geschätzt virtue-signalling
, Sprecher
Taking a knee: [(v§:tSu: )sIgn&lIN] 
offset sth. [)Qf(set] 
Colin Kaepernick surge [s§:dZ]  ,  Aktion(en) zur Demon-
,  etw. ausgleichen
(number 7) , Anstieg; hier: Welle stration moralischer Werte

GLOBAL BUSINESS 2/2019 Business Spotlight 23 

 a global agency. “Brands have been pulled deeper into the con- “Consumers companies are getting from their
versation.” market research with millennials and
But that conversation comes with risks, and corporations
purchase Gen Z consumers is these people want
sometimes get it wrong. The roll call of shame is topped by things because their brands to be authentic, they want
Pepsi, which in the spring of 2017, released an ad in which Ken- of what it them to be culturally relevant, they have
dall Jenner, the millennial model, led a group of (very attractive) signals to other to be digital,” Rishe said.
protesters evoking the Black Lives Matter movement in a show-
down with (very attractive) police. The standoff was resolved
people” “Younger folks want brands to stand
for something. ‘I don’t want to just see
by a shared soda. your logo. You’re just trying to sell me
“If only Daddy would have known about the power of some shoes or shirts. I want you to stand for something.’ And
#Pepsi,” Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., when you take that leap of faith as a company, you are running
tweeted. The spot was abruptly stopped. risks,” he adds.
What was Pepsi thinking? Corporations in general are under America’s social and economic divisions predate Trump. But
increasing pressure to “take a stand in ways that go beyond the as a candidate and now as president, he clearly comprehends
generic corporate social responsibility platitudes they used to what corporations have also realized: taking definitive stands
be able to sort of hide behind,” said Michael Serazio, a professor on divisive issues may alienate some people but it also inspires
of communications at Boston College. loyalty.
“We’ve evolved to a point in branding history where con- Trump understands that he can make a stronger connection
sumers purchase things not because of their utility but because with consumers — i.e. voters — if he does not restrict the con-
of what it signals to other people in their social milieu. What versation to products or to policies. Instead of immigration, he
you’ve seen over the last couple of years is this trend toward talks about gang violence. Instead of Russian cyberattacks, he
corporations taking more specific and more controversial po- talks about Hillary Clinton. Instead of criminal justice reform,
litical stances.” he talks about football.
Many other corporations have dared to go where Pepsi stum- It might not make sense for someone with urgent personal
bled. Yuengling, the Pennsylvania brewery, endorsed Trump for healthcare needs to vote for Trump based on a shared opinion
president; Patagonia, the California-based clothier, sued Trump about Kaepernick, just like it might not make sense for people to
for annulling public lands; Delta Airlines and REI, the outdoor buy shoes because they admire Kaepernick. But it works.
clothing and gear store, came out in favour of gun control; “The point of branding is to make a corporation into a human
Adidas stood behind Kanye West, the inventor of the brand’s being,” said Serazio. “And that is fundamentally ridiculous. And
bestselling Yeezy shoe line, after his controversial statements yet that is the basis of our advertising, contemporary consumer
about slavery and Trump. Burger King, meanwhile, made a culture.”
Whopper commercial about net neutrality, and after Trump was © Guardian News & Media 2018
elected, Heineken staged an excruciating series of conversations
between strangers to insist that “there’s more that unites than
divides us”. adversity [Ed(v§:sEti]  leap of faith: take a ~ resolve sth. [ri(zQlv] 
, Widrigkeit(en) [)li:p Ev (feIT]  ,  etw. klären
With its recruitment of Kaepernick as spokesman, Nike
,  seinen Glauben (an etw.)
seemed to go even further. As a leader of the movement among alienate sb. [(eIliEneIt]  ridiculous [rI(dIkjUlEs] 
an den Tag legen
,  jmdn. verprellen , lächerlich
National Football League players to kneel during the national narrate sth. [nE(reIt] 
anthem to protest about police violence against people of col- chills [tSIlz]  roll call [(rEUl kO:l] 
,  etw. erzählen;
, Gänsehaut , (Namens-)Aufruf;
our, the former star quarterback found himself ostracized by the hier: kommentieren
hier: Auflistung
endorse sb. [In(dO:s] 
league and attacked personally by Trump, starting when Trump national anthem
,  jmdn. unterstützen soda [(sEUdE] US 
was still a candidate. [)nÄS&nEl (ÄnTEm] 
, Limo
evoking [i(vEUkIN]  , Nationalhymne
Featuring star athletes and others who have overcome vari- ,  hier: in Anlehnung an sort of [(sO:t Qv] ifml. 
nausea [(nO:siE] 
ous forms of adversity to become champions, the latest Nike ad , Übelkeit
, gewissermaßen
excruciating
is narrated by Kaepernick and finishes with the tag line: “Believe [Ik(skru:SieItIN]  stage sth. [steIdZ] 
ostracize sb.
in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.” The line , unerträglich
[(QstrEsaIz] 
,  etw. inszenieren

induces either chills or nausea, depending on your tolerance of find the mark ,  jmdn. ächten stance [stÄns] 
corporate plays at poignancy. It appeared to find the mark with [)faInd DE (mA:k]  ,  Standpunkt, Haltung
poignancy [(pOInjEnsi] 
,  ins Schwarze treffen
consumers; Nike’s stock touched an all-time high after the advert , Eindringlichkeit standoff [(stÄndQf] 
gear [gIE]  , Patt; hier: verfahrene
was launched. point [pOInt] , Sinn;
,  Ausrüstung, Zubehör Situation
Trump, though, thought the ad did not work. “What was Nike hier auch: Ziel(setzung)
gen [dZen] ifml.  stumble [(stVmb&l] 
thinking?” he tweeted. ,  hier: Generation
predate sb./sth.
, straucheln
[pri(deIt] 
generic [dZE(nerIk]  ,  jmdm./etw. (zeitlich) sue sb. [sju:] 
Authentic, relevant, digital ,  hier: typisch vorausgehen ,  jmdn. verklagen
Patrick Rishe, a professor who interviewed 50 people in sports healthcare [(helTkeE]  purchase sth. [(p§:tSEs]  tag line [(tÄg laIn]
marketing and media for his recent book They Shoot… They Score, , Gesundheitsversorgung ,  etw. kaufen US  ifml. , Slogan
said the company had obviously done its research and was kneel [ni:&l]  release sth. [ri(li:s]  utility [ju(tIlEti] 
thinking it was going to sell shoes. “The messages that these ,  sich niederknien ,  etw. herausbringen ,  Nützlichkeit, Nutzwert

24  Business Spotlight 2/2019 GLOBAL BUSINESS

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 FACTS & FIGURES
LEGO

Another brick in the wall

Seit ihrer Erfindung sind Legosteine aus keinem Kinderzimmer mehr wegzudenken. Die Geschäfte des Herstellers
sind heute aber mehr als kleine, bunte Bausteine. EAMONN FITZGERALD nennt Fakten und Zahlen.
ADVANCED

HOW A BUSINESS WAS BUILT

A small business in Denmark that began life making a simple toy is now
a global business empire that also creates software and whose toys star in
awesome films. The latest is The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part.
Key facts
What: LEGO System A/S
Where: Billund, Denmark
Founder: Ole Kirk Kristiansen
When: 10 August 1932
Owners: Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen and
Thomas Kirk Kristiansen

Learning STEM* with LEGO

By building a train, “early learners”
explore basic coding concepts such as
sequencing, looping and conditional
coding, while developing problem-solving
skills, critical thinking, collaboration as
The Star Wars well as social and emotional skills.
Millennium
Falcon ship *STEM = Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics
The biggest building sets
Star Wars Millennium Falcon ship 7,500 pieces

Foto: Die Lego Gruppe,; picture alliance/LEGO; labsas, Brendan Hunter, ivanastar/iStock.com
Taj Mahal, India 5,923 pieces

Tower Bridge, London 4,295 pieces

LEGO: THE MOVIES

The LEGO Movie (2014) The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
Budget: $60 million Produced by the Warner Animation Group and released on
Ticket sales USA and Canada: $257.8 million 8 February 2019 in 2D, 3D, RealD 3D, Dolby Cinema, IMAX and
Ticket sales internationally: $211.4 million IMAX 3D formats. The director is Mike Mitchell and animation
Total ticket sales worldwide: $469.2 million direction is by Trisha Gum.
Profit: $229 million

26  Business Spotlight 2/2019 FACTS & FIGURES

 “Only the best is good enough”
Ole Kirk Kristiansen, founder of LEGO

The meaning of Lego

Ole Kirk Kristiansen created
the word Lego from the Dan-
ish phrase leg godt (“play well”).
Christian Humberg, author Great design:
of 50 Years of the LEGO Brick, the LEGO
House
points out in addition that one
of the meanings of the Latin
verb legō is “I collect, I gather”, Real-life prototypes
and that’s what LEGO fans do. Danish architect Bjarke Ingels uses LEGO bricks to build prototypes. Ingels and his
They lovingly collect billions team designed the LEGO House in Billund using LEGO.
of bricks.
LEGO House: The facts
21 white-brick structures stacked on top of one other
12,000 square-metre space
25 million LEGO bricks
2,000 square-metre public square
LEGO tree: consists of 6,316,611 bricks and took 24,350 hours to assemble
250,000 visitors a year

Another brick in the wall conditional coding ➻

[E)nVDE )brIk In DE (wO:l] [kEn)dIS&nEl (kEUdIN]  
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The big three toymakers ,   Ein weiteres Teil des ,   (Anwendung von)
WEBSITES
großen Ganzen (Titel eines Bedingungscodes
LEGO has overtaken Hasbro and Mattel as the Songs von Pink Floyd) ■ Ownership: www.kirkbi.com/
looping [(lu:pIN] de-de/about-us/family-
biggest money-making toymaker in the world.
assemble sth. ,  Schleifenbildung ownership
Licensing deals that have added global icons like [E(semb&l]
release sth. [ri(li:s] ■ Falcon: www.lego.com/en-us/
Darth Vader and Batman to the modular mix are ,   etw. zusammenbauen
themes/star-wars/products/
,   etw. herausbringen
now a key source of income. awesome millennium-falcon-75192
revenue [(revEnju:]
[(O:sEm] ifml. ■ LEGO STEM: www.lego.com/en-
,  Umsatzerlös(e)
Firm Revenue (2017, $bn) Employees ,   fantastisch, großartig us/products/categories/stem
sequencing ■ LEGO House: www.design
LEGO $5.8 19,000 bn (billion)
[(si:kwEnsIN] boom.com/architecture/
[(bIljEn]
Hasbro $5.2 5,000 ,  Sequenzierung lego-house-bjarke-ingels-
,   Mrd. (Milliarde(n))
group-big-museum-billund-
Mattel $4.8 25,000 star [stA:]
brick [brIk] denmark-09-28-2017
,   die Hauptrolle spielen
,  Ziegel; hier: Baustein Research by Eamonn Fitzgerald

FACTS & FIGURES 2/2019 Business Spotlight 27 

 LANGUAGE TEST
MARKETING

A wake-up call
Aufgabe des Marketing ist die Vermarktung von Produkten und Dienstleistungen.
DEBORAH CAPRAS hat Übungen zusammengestellt, mit denen Sie testen können, wie gut
Sie sich auf Englisch mit den entsprechenden Methoden und Werkzeugen auskennen.
EASY MEDIUM ADVANCED AUDIO

Will anyone
hear your
message?

THE SITUATION
Green SleepOver is a family-owned company that manufactures eco-friendly
DEBORAH CAPRAS
mattresses and bedding (including pillows and duvets). This year, its founders
Deborah Capras is a freelance are handing the business over to their children, Paul and Maeve. The new gener-
author, trainer and corporate ation wants to take the business online and make use of both modern and tradi-
communications specialist.
tional marketing tools to promote their products. Nadia, a marketing consultant,
She’s the author of Small Talk,
published by Collins. Contact: presents them with some options.
deborahcapras@wise-words.com

28  Business Spotlight 2/2019 LANGUAGE TEST

 ➻
SWOT ANALYSIS 2. Your market (6 points)
A good “SWOT” analysis can help identify a company’s internal
Strengths and Weaknesses, as well as its external Opportunities Nadia presents the results of her market research,
and Threats.
which helped her to create a buyer persona. She’s
been looking at what inspires, motivates and ex-
1. Your strengths (6 points) cites people about mattresses and bedding. Com-
plete the sentences with the missing verbs. We’ve
To start, Nadia talks to Paul and Maeve about the given you the first two letters.
recent SWOT analysis they did together. Com-
plete each sentence with the right word from the Let me explain how we have been working over
box. the past six weeks. We (A) ca out in-
depth research into the mattress industry across
audience | buzz | competitors | gap | start-ups | the whole of the EU. We (B) ga sta-
touchpoints tistical data on sales. We (C) mi an
incredible amount of online data from your
Nadia: You have a quality product. But you’re websites and third parties. Big data doesn’t lie
not selling as well as you were two years — especially in marketing! Using modern ma-
ago. chine-learning tools, we (D) de per-
Paul: We are under threat from a number of sonas and market segments for your products.
(A) in this business. Our
parents didn’t understand that, thanks But we also got personal.
to the internet, we now have a lot more
(B) . We (E) ra six different focus
Nadia: You need a good digital marketing groups in three Irish cities. The result was clear.
strategy on top of traditional marketing Most people don’t really know the difference
— one that gets people more emotional between the different mattress brands. But they
about your mattresses. do worry about what materials are used in the
Paul: Do people get emotional about mattress- manufacturing of the mattresses. Your brand
es — apart from when they’re having sex is one of the most eco-friendly mattresses on
on them? And even then… it’s not the the market. By focusing on this, we have already
mattress we get emotional about. Will (F) di your brand from all other
we use sex, then? brands out there.
Maeve: Paul! Go on, Nadia.
Nadia: Using sex after the #MeToo pro- Let me show you just how many people are pre-
tests might have a negative effect. pared to spend more on a quality mattress. These
We should focus more on consumer people could be your customers!
fears about plastic, health and well-
ness. And rest and sleep! There is a(n)
(C) in the market for more ➻
eco-friendly mattresses and bedding.
DATA-DRIVEN BUYER PERSONA
This is the area where we can create a(n)
The marketing team creates buyer personas, or customer
(D) around your products.
personas, which are descriptions of potential customers. This
Paul: I want to believe that could work. But I’m process looks at who the buyers are, what they want to do, how
still not sure how we can do this in the they think, how they buy and why they buy. Today, personas are
case of mattresses. created using big data, including, for example, data about visits to
and actions on websites and social media.
Maeve: How would we even find people who are
interested in such products?
Illustration: TarikVision/iStock.com

Nadia: It’s my responsibility to identify the best

(E) where we can reach
such a target (F) .

LANGUAGE TEST 2/2019 Business Spotlight 29 

 ➻
MARKETING CHANNELS
Consumers move very quickly between their mobiles, their
computers, social media platforms, events and shops. This is why
marketers often have problems deciding where, when or how to
reach them with the right message about the right product at the
right time.

3. The basics of brands (8 points)

Nadia introduces Paul and Maeve to some ideas 4. Making use of old and new (5 points)
on brand marketing. The words in bold are not
where they should be. Put them where they be- Nadia suggests using a variety of channels to ad-
long. vertise the products. Match the correct type of
media to her statement about it.
Green SleepOver will become the (A) awareness
brand of the industry — the A. Broadcast media: TV and radio commercials,
leading premium brand. We are not even going to product placement
try to compete with the less expensive (B) loyalty B. Print media: newspapers, magazines, classified
brands. If you compete on price, ads
you will lose. C. Out-of-home media: billboards, signage, bus-
stop ads
This will be our brand (C) values for D. Social media: Facebook, Instagram, hashtags
the long term. E. Online media: pop-ups, landing pages, web
banners
In our new marketing campaign, we will high-
light the eco-friendly nature of all your products: 1. Here, we focus on the opportunities of poten-
the fact that you use eco-friendly materials from tial customers seeing our products. The im-
eco-friendly suppliers. And that your stores pro- ages must also be placed high up. And we won’t
vide a personal service — but that you can also book something in the middle of nowhere!
order easily online. These are just a few of your 2. We need to analyse the audience share first,
brand (D) positioning that we will before we can make a final decision on where
focus on in the campaign. to advertise.
3.  The most important criterion here is the en-
Using digital and traditional marketing tools, we gagement rate. The more people like, share and
will build brand (E) economy . More comment on posts, the better for us. We also
people will connect your brand to eco-friendly have to make sure the followers are real and not
mattresses and bedding. fake, of course.
4.  The key criterion is site traffic. If there aren’t
The result will be customers who will buy mat- many visitors, we won’t consider advertising
tresses from you, but who will also return to here.
you for all their bedroom extras. We will create a 5.  We focus here on circulation. It has to be high
special range of pillows, duvets and covers. Such and our consumers have to read them.
brand (F) flagship is important. It
makes customers return to you again and again.
A– ;  B– ;  C– ;   D– ;  E–
This will create the kind of brand (G) advocates
that will help increase your sales in
the future and in the long term.

Most importantly, people will talk positive-

ly about your products, write great reviews,
Illustration: TCmake_photo/iStock.com

blogs and social media posts and even make

funny videos. These people will be your brand
(H) extension .

So, do you want to see how we can get people ex-

cited about mattresses? Which
channel are
they using?

30  Business Spotlight 2/2019 LANGUAGE TEST

➻
PESO
Marketing often concentrates on four types of media:
Paid media is content that you have paid for, such as adverts or 6. How to influence people (9 points)
sponsored posts on social media.
Earned media is content about your company and products or
services that someone else has created. It could be anywhere: in Nadia suggests working with some Instagram
newspapers, on TV or on the internet. You don’t pay for it. influencers to create a more modern marketing
Shared media is content that appears on social media. strategy. Choose the correct noun.
Owned media is content that appears on your own websites and
publications, such as customer magazines or in white papers.
Nadia: The idea is to get people to think as much
about their sleep and rest as they do
5. Searching for sleep (8 points) about their workouts. Milly is here to tell
us about the work she does in this area as
An online content marketing strategy will be im- an influencer on Instagram. She can help
portant for the new business and e-commerce us increase your social (A) fingerprint /
site. Nadia uses a lot of abbreviations and acro- footprint.
nyms when she talks about this topic and “PESO” Milly: I’m a lifestyle, wellness and designer
(see box). Add the missing word to complete each blogger.
expression. Paul: So, tell me how that gets us the media
(B) conduct / coverage we need.
A. 
We’re not just selling mattresses; we are cre- Milly: Every day, people post millions of pic-
ating a story together with the customer. And tures on Instagram. Most just disappear.
it will focus on your USP. We will use story- My posts are seen by my followers — all
telling to communicate your unique selling 300,000 of them. I have a strong Insta-
. gram (C) presentation / presence. So,
you get immediate (D) access / admis-
B. 
Any changes we make to your website will, of sion to potential customers. My follow-
course, meet GDPR standards. The EU gener- ers are real, and they interact with my
al data protection forces us to posts. I can help you to build a personal
be more transparent with the data we collect. and emotional relationship with poten-
tial customers. That’s how I can increase
The result will be a SEO-friendly web design.
C.  your (E) reach / stretch.
We are experts at search engine . Nadia: Her Instagram (F) food / feed has a very
feminine touch.
And your content will rank higher on SERP.
D.  Maeve: How would it work?
It will also now appear on the search engine Milly: You pay me for (G) leads / heads, that is,
pages with images and video. for each of my followers who shows an
interest in your company. And you also
E. 
We will optimize the content of your web- pay me every time I write about your
pages, which will help maximize the CTR. company — and for each (H) motion /
This is also true of your email campaigns. The mention, too.
-through rate on all these cam- Maeve: I don’t know. All this talk about Insta-
paigns will be high. gram and wellness worries me. Aren’t
Insta-celebrities making people unwell?
F. 
More importantly, we’ll introduce you to a They only show people who are having
number of techniques to improve CRO — an amazing time.
that’s the rate optimization. We Paul: That’s basically all that marketing is
will get the customers to buy your products. about, Maeve.
Nadia: I think it’s more complicated than
G. 
This means, at the end of the day, we will look that! With social media, we can make
at the most important KPI of all. What is this sure that your brand is always front of
key performance ? It’s sales, of (I) mind / face.
course. How much have you sold?

We promise you a level of ROI that you have

H. 
never seen before. Yes, the on
investment will be high.

LANGUAGE TEST 2/2019 Business Spotlight 31 

 Like, share,
7. We’re green, great and growing (8 points) comment:
it’s working!
After only six months, it’s already clear that the
new marketing campaign has been a success. Un-
scramble the words to create adjectives about the
results. The first two letters are correct.

A. The marketing campaign shows we’re totally

tr o w h t r s u y t .
B. The content is bu z o t h z y w r .
C. The posts are ey c - e c a i n g t h .
D. The videos always go vi l r a .
E. The blogs are me l e a b m o r .
F. The messages are in p n s a l i r a t i o
.
➻
G. They show how pa o i s n a t e s SLOGANS AND TAGLINES
we are about our company and services. Remember the basics. A clever slogan or tagline should be part
H. Green SleepOver looks totally ge i n e n u of every marketing campaign. Here are a few modern classics.
Nike: “Just Do It”
. Audi: “Vorsprung durch Technik”
Apple: “Think Different”

ANSWERS
E. ran (run a focus group 5. Searching for sleep B. coverage (media coverage
= eine Zielgruppe leiten) A. proposition (unique selling = Berichterstattung in den
F. differentiated (differentiate proposition (USP) Medien)
sth. from sth. = etw. von etw. = Alleinstellungsmerkmal) C. presence = Präsenz
A wake-up call = Ein Weckruf
abgrenzen) B. regulation (general data protec- D. access = Zugang
tion regulation (GDPR) E. reach = hier: Anzahl der
1. Your strengths
3. The basics of brands = Datenschutzgrundverordnung) erreichten Kunden
A. start-ups
A. flagship (flagship brand C. optimization (search engine F. feed = Einspeisung (von Daten)
B. competitors = Mitbewerber(in-
= Vorzeige-, Hauptmarke) optimization (SEO) G. leads = Leads, Interessenten
nen), Konkurrenten/Konkurren-
B. economy (economy brand = Suchmaschinenoptimierung) H. mention = Nennung
tinnen
= Billigmarke) D. results (search engine results I. mind (be front of mind = als
C. gap = Lücke
C. positioning (brand positioning page (SERP) = Suchmaschinen Erstes in den Sinn kommen)
D. buzz ifml. = Interesse, Begeis-
= Markenpositionierung) ergebnisseite)
terung
D. values (brand value E. click (click-through rate (CTR) = 7. We’re green, great and gro-
E. touchpoints
= Markenwert) Klickrate) wing fast
F. audience (target audience
E. awareness (brand awareness F. conversion (conversion rate A. trustworthy = vertrauenswürdig
= Zielgruppe)
= Markenbekanntheit, -wahr- optimization (CRO) = Conver­ B. buzzworthy US ifml.
nehmung) sion-(Rate-)Optimierung) = Interesse verdienend
2. Your market
F. extension (brand extension G. indicator (key performance C. eye-catching = auffällig
A. carried (carry sth. out
= Markenerweiterung) indicator (KPI) = Leistungskenn- D. viral (go viral = sich rasend
= etw. durchführen)
G. loyalty (brand loyalty zahl) schnell im Internet verbreiten)
B. gathered (gather sth.
= Markentreue, -loyalität) H. return (return on investment E. memorable = einprägsam
= etw. sammeln)
H. advocates (brand advocate (ROI) = Kapitalrendite) F. inspirational = inspirierend
C. mined (mine data
= Markenfürsprecher(in)) G. passionate (be passionate about
= Datensätze durchsuchen
6. How to influence people sth. = eine Leidenschaft für etw.
und auswerten)
4. Making use of old and new A. footprint (social footprint = Fuß- haben)
D. developed
A–2; B–5; C–1; D–3; E–4 abdruck in den sozialen Medien) H. genuine = authentisch

HOW DID
YOU DO?
40–50 30–39 18–29 Up to 17
Illustration: TarikVision/iStock.com

Note: In order to be able Excellent! Well done! Good Could do better

to compare your language Congratulations! You are You’re not far from the Clearly, you are interested in Marketing is full of
knowledge across different clearly already an expert in top score! If you want to the business of marketing, specialized vocabulary and
areas of business English, the language of digital and be an expert on the topic, but your vocabulary isn’t up expressions, and it can be
all Business Spotlight tests traditional marketing. try reading more about to speed. Check your results hard to remember them
have a maximum possible marketing developments in to see where you went all. Don’t worry. Try the
score of 50 points. English when you get the wrong. Do those exercises test again to see if you can
opportunity. again to help you broaden improve your results.
your knowledge.

32  Business Spotlight 2/2019 LANGUAGE TEST

 VIEWPOINT
IT’S PERSONAL

“Modern slavery
touches us all”
Zwangsarbeit ist kein Phänomen vergangener
Zeiten. Da wir alle in irgendeiner Weise in die
moderne Sklaverei verstrickt sind, müssen wir
auch alle dringend dagegen aktiv werden.
ADVANCED

W
hen I began this column five years ago, ELISABETH RIBBANS
The latest estimates suggest more than 400,000
I said that it would focus on the human is a British people in the US, 167,000 in Germany and 136,000
side of business. I never thought that, journalist and in the UK are living in modern slavery — far higher
editorial consul­
in the 21st century, I’d need to write than previously believed. Industries affected include
tant. She is also
about an inhuman side — but with an a former managing farming, construction, hotels and other service sec-
estimated 40 million people worldwide editor of The tors. In Britain, 27 per cent of all calls to the Modern
now trapped in “modern slavery” (a term Guardian in London. Slavery Helpline in 2017 were related to car-wash
that should be an oxymoron), the issue workers.
cries out to be heard. ➳
Contact: eribbans@
Last November, Australia introduced anti-slavery
According to the Global Slavery Index 2018, gmail.com legislation that breaks new ground in being the first
published by the Australia-based Walk Free Foun- to recognize “orphanage trafficking”. This is a vile
dation, about 25 million people are working in forced scam in which parents, mostly in South East Asia, are
labour. We are talking about men, women and tricked into giving up their children on the promise
children sold in public markets, workers tied to of a better life; in reality, they are thrown into insti-
their bosses by debts they can’t possibly repay or tutions and used as bait to attract donations from
by threats of violence, girls trafficked into sex and foreign tourists.
more. A further 15 million, mainly women and girls, It’s clear that modern slavery is a shape-shifter
are living in forced marriages. with many faces. Invisible for too long, fed by pov-
The problem is worst in parts of Africa and Asia, erty, conflict and oppression, this crime calls for ac-
but it touches us all. Products most at risk of being tion from governments, businesses and individuals
connected to forced labour are computers, mobile because we are all caught somewhere in its chains.
phones, clothes, fish, cocoa and sugar cane — items
we import to the value of billions of dollars a year.
In September of 2018, Australia, Canada, New act [Äkt]  item [(aItEm]  tied: be ~ to sb.
Zealand, the UK and the US developed four princi- , Gesetz , Artikel  [taId] 
,  an jmdn. gebunden
ples designed to combat modern slavery in global bait [beIt]  orphanage
sein; hier: von jmdm.
, Köder [(O:fEnIdZ] 
supply chains. It is a welcome step, since Walk Free abhängig sein
, Waisenhaus
found that only seven G20 countries had enacted break new ground
trafficked
[)breIk nju: previously
laws to stop business and government sourcing (graUnd]  [(pri:viEsli] 
[(trÄfIkt] 
, gehandelt;
goods and services produced by forced labour. , Pionierarbeit , zuvor
hier: verkauft
My own country, the UK, was the world’s first to leisten
scam [skÄm] 
Fotos:: hudiemm, horvats/iStock.com

trafficking
introduce a Modern Slavery Act, in 2015, but I must combat sth. ,  Betrug, Masche
[(trÄfIkIN] 
[(kQmbÄt] 
admit I thought that, for rich countries, the main shape-shifter: be a ~ , Menschenhandel
,  etw. bekämpfen
issue was exactly as presented above: preventing [(SeIp )SIftE] 
trapped: be ~ in sth.
donation ,  sich wandeln;
slave labour abroad. Perhaps it’s easier to believe [dEU(neIS&n]  hier: verschiedene
[trÄpt] ,  in etw.
gefangen sein
that those terrible stories of trafficking and cruelty , Spende Ausprägungen haben
at home make the headlines because they are rare. vile [vaI&l] 
enact sth. [In(Äkt]  source sth. [sO:s] 
, übel
Sadly, the truth is otherwise. ,  etw. erlassen ,  etw. beschaffen

VIEWPOINT 2/2019 Business Spotlight 33 

 BUSINESS SKILLS
SERIES: LEADERSHIP

The challenges of change

Der zweite Teil unserer neuen Serie zum Thema „Führung“ befasst sich mit
Veränderungen. BOB DIGNEN erklärt, welche Arten von Veränderungen es im beruflichen Umfeld gibt,
wie sich diese auf Mitarbeiter und Vorgesetzte auswirken und wie diese damit umgehen können.
ADVANCED  AUDIO  PLUS

I
f you ask leaders where their busi-
ness will be in a year’s time, few will
rather how, how fast and how effectively in
order to ensure that the opportunities
capture sth. [(kÄptSE] 
,  etw. ergreifen THE CENTRAL
answer with any confidence. Change
is, of course, a constant in human
are captured and the risks minimized —
for leaders, their teams and their organi-
disruption [dIs(rVpS&n] 
,  Störung; grundlegende ISSUE IS NOT
WHETHER
Veränderung
experience. We remain nomads in zations.
micromanagement
some sense, and are always travel-

WE SHOULD
[)maIkrEU(mÄnIdZmEnt] 
ling — physically, psychologically 1. Types of change , detailorientierter
and societally. But the current digi- There are many types of change at work — Führungsstil

tally driven business environment prom-

ises a speed and level of unpredictability
some with more advantages than others,
and some far easier to handle than others.
relocation
[)ri:lEU(keIS&n]  CHANGE BUT
RATHER HOW
, Umzug
that threatens the ability of leaders to Take a look at the five changes in the table
reputable [(repjUtEb&l] 
guide their organizations successfully below. Can you think of other potential , angesehen
through transformation. Many business- opportunities and challenges?
route [ru:t] 
es, even the longest established and most Task: Look at the challenges below and ,  hier: vorgezeichneter
reputable, will not survive. note down three practical tips that you Weg
In this article, we look at the typical would give to anyone (including your- unpredictability
types of change in the workplace and at self) facing such changes at work. Com- [)Vnpri)dIktE(bIlEti] 
, Unvorhersehbarkeit,
our typical reactions to them. The central pare your answers with our suggestions Unkalkulierbarkeit
issue is not whether we should change but on page 42.

Types of change
CHANGE OPPORTUNITIES CHALLENGES

1. Promotion to a higher position Increased salary Pressure

More influence More work
Chances to learn Challenge of managing team

2. Appointment of a new boss More inspiring leader Poor leader

Delegation Micromanagement
Skills development Low interest in personal development

3. Participation in an international project Chance to improve language skills Communication challenges

Chance to travel Isolation of living alone in hotels
Chance to build new networks Problems dealing with cultural differences

4. Introduction of a new IT platform Greater efficiency Lower efficiency

Use of new technology Processes don’t match needs
Lower costs Increased costs

5. Relocation with family overseas Experience a new culture Disruption to family life
Chance to learn a new language Disconnection from friends
Chance to grow as a person No clear route to return home

34  Business Spotlight 2/2019 BUSINESS SKILLS

Illustration: Yann Bastard

Change:
a constant in
business life
 INTERVIEW

“You need to be allowed to make

mistakes in the beginning”
Die Umsetzung von Veränderungen verlangt Flexibilität und die Möglichkeit, dabei auch Fehler
zu machen. Externe Veränderungsberater begleiten diesen Prozess.

Do people generally react nega- Another problem is when top management doesn’t sup-
tively to change? port the change — and sometimes it would be unrealistic to
It depends very much on the envi- expect them to do so. There are always one or two who are
ronment that you’re in. If you be- sending conflicting messages. That creates a lot of confusion,
lieve this is a change that has prior- and conflicting targets for middle management. In such a
ity for you, and you see a benefit in situation, they can only wait it out and see which senior-
it, then you will support it. It also management point of view wins.
depends on the organization and
how conflicting the objectives are Do people struggle to do their daily job and change at the
that come along with the change. same time?
I would say that people generally Definitely. You need time for change, and that’s another rea-
NICOLE ANZINGER is an
want to ask a lot of questions, but son it doesn’t work — there is no time! Also, you need to be
independent consul­ I’m not sure that this is resistance. allowed to make mistakes in the beginning. If you don’t have
tant in Munich. She a culture that allows you to fail, it’s difficult to change.
helps organizations
What are the reasons that lead
ensure that people
do what is needed to to change slowing down, or even How useful are change consultants? Can’t organizations
make change success­ failing? manage change themselves?
ful, fulfilling the People still carry out many of these I strongly believe that they can do it themselves. But what
new roles and respon­
changes in an old-fashioned man- helps is to have someone external who sees things from a
sibilities that come
with new structures. ner, thinking that there is only one different perspective and sees what’s really going on. What
www.change-up.de change at a time in a company, not I do is show organizations how new methods, such as the
realizing that there are so many “agile” approach, can help them to implement
different changes going on at the same time and that change change in an emerging way — not so much
is all around. Clearly, there needs to be a balance in organiza- controlling change but letting it flow and
tions between stabilizing the system and having the agility evolve. I also help the right stakeholders
so that things can change. to connect and work together, because of-
If you try to execute change top down, starting with leader- ten when I come into an organization, it is
ship alignment, mobilizing middle management and then the blocked as a result of the many different
employees, it takes far too long. Don’t forget that top manage- opinions. So I see my role as asking
ment often starts implementing change after maybe years of the right questions rather than
analysing the reasons for change with consultants. And when having the right answers. People
top management decides something, it’s often far away from have a good sense of what the
the realities of employees, so people have serious difficulties right thing to do is, much bet-
understanding the reasons for the change and its benefits. So, ter than I do. But I’m the one
they also become somehow a victim of the change. They don’t asking the right questions and
feel responsible for it. They feel they are being controlled and helping people to decide more
start saying things like, “You have to tell me what do to” or consciously what needs to be
“You have to decide”. done next.
Foto: privat; Illustration:en Yann Bastrad

agile [(ÄdZaI&l]  alignment [E(laInmEnt]  emerging evolve [i(vQlv]  objective [Eb(dZektIv]  wait sth. out
,  agil, flexibel; hier: agiles , Ausrichtung; [i(m§:dZIN]  ,  sich entwickeln , Ziel(vorstellung) [)weIt (aUt] 
Management betreffend hier: Koordinierung , entstehend; hier: ,  etw. aussitzen
execute sth. stakeholder
situationsbezogen
agility at a time: only one… ~ [(eksIkju:t]  [(steIk)hEUldE] 
[E(dZIlEti]  [)Ät E (taIm]  ensure sth. [In(SO:]  ,  etw. ausführen , Interessengruppe;
,  hier: Flexibilität ,  jeweils nur ein(e) … ,  etw. sicherstellen hier: Akteur(in)

36  Business Spotlight 2/2019 BUSINESS SKILLS

2. Understanding and driving change mechanisms to protect themselves
All leadership training now includes the against what is seen as an unwanted
topic of change management. Every or- change. Typical responses might include
ganization needs to evolve and improve a refusal to understand or believe what
over time, upgrade its technology, devel- is happening, and an increase in stress.
op new products, enter new markets and What does this mean for managing

⋅⋅
find new customers. And, importantly, change at work?
organizational change implies changes For team members. Emotional resil-
for people — taking on board new atti- ience is required to manage the neg-
tudes, behaviours, roles and cultural val- ative feelings of shock, and to remain

ONCE PEOPLE
ues. Accepting and embracing change open to identifying the potential bene-
adopt sth. [E(dQpt] 
is far from easy, especially when change fits of new ways of working. It is essen- ,  etw. übernehmen

REALIZE WHAT
leads to unwanted negatives, such as an tial to ask questions to understand both anger [(ÄNgE] 
increased workload, challenging targets the reasons for the change and the form ,  Wut, Ärger

IS GOING
and new and confusing reporting lines. the change will actually take, in order to denial [di(naIEl] 
There are many change-management understand its potential benefits and , Verweigerung,
Nicht-wahrhaben-Wollen

⋅⋅ TO HAPPEN,
models that provide tools and strategies avoid being locked into denial.
to enable leaders and team members to For leaders. Empathy is required to un- embrace sth.
[Im(breIs] 
understand and deal with change effec-
tively. Business professionals should fa-
derstand the level of shock and denial
that may be experienced by individuals
,  etw. annehmen,
akzeptieren ANGER OFTEN
miliarize themselves with such models,
for example those of Elisabeth Kübler-
Ross and John P. Kotter.
who are being asked to change, particu-
larly if they have not been part of the
process that resulted in the decision to
evolve [i(vQlv] 
,  sich entwickeln

grief [gri:f] 
SETS IN
bring about change. The focus should ,  (psychischer) Schmerz,
Leid
3. The stages of change be on developing people’s understand-
The most influential model of change is ing by communicating clearly the rea- locked: be ~ into sth.
[lQkt] ,  hier: in etw.
probably the one that was developed by sons for change. John P. Kotter talks gefangen sein
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross to demonstrate about the need to establish a “burning
platform [(plÄtfO:m] 
the predictable stages of grief-based emo- platform” so that people can under- , Podest
tions that individuals experience, for ex- stand the importance of “jumping”. It is predictable
ample in relation to death. The model (see important not just to tell people what [pri(dIktEb&l] 
below) has been widely adopted by busi- to do, but to allow individuals time to , vorhersehbar,
kalkulierbar
ness leaders to understand employee re- ask questions and receive the answers
rationale
sponse to changes — ranging from shock necessary so that they can absorb the
[)rÄSE(nA:l] 
and denial, through anger and depression, rationale for change. ,  (logische) Gründe
to acceptance of the new reality. reporting line
Here, we look at these typical stages of b) Anger and frustration. Once people [ri(pO:tIN laIn] 
grief and at what they can mean in a busi- realize what is happening or is going to , Berichtslinie

ness context — both for team members happen, anger and frustration set in. Peo- resilience [ri(zIliEns] 
, Belastbarkeit,
and leaders. ple can direct these feelings at themselves
Widerstandskraft
or, more typically, at others. People’s
take sth. on board
a) Shock and denial. During this rela- moods can become very negative during [)teIk Qn (bO:d] 
tively short stage, people employ defence this stage, characterized often by being ,  etw. übernehmen

The stages of people’s reaction to change (adapted from Kübler-Ross)

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5

Shock and denial Anger and frustration Bargaining Depression Acceptance
Defence mechanisms Negative moods, Realization that change Sense of loss, saying Initial engagement with
against unwanted directed at self and must happen. But goodbye to the past. new situation. New
change. Refusal others. Low levels of attempts to minimize Lack of engagement. energy and confidence.
to believe what is energy and motivation. the change.
happening.

BUSINESS SKILLS 2/2019 Business Spotlight 37 

 short-tempered and having low levels of Questions are essential, even probing alert sb. to sth. probing
energy and motivation. ones, which can alert leaders to com- [E(l§:t tu]  [(prEUbIN] 
,  jmdn. auf etw. ,  bohrend, sondierend

⋅⋅
What does this mean for managing plexities they may have overlooked. aufmerksam machen
resentment

⋅⋅
change at work? For leaders. Despite their best efforts
anxiety [ri(zentmEnt] 
For team members. Prepare yourself at communication, those leading others [ÄN(zaIEti]  ,  Groll, Unmut
for strong negative feelings, such as through change need to expect explicit , Angst(gefühl),
short-tempered
Besorgnis
anxiety, anger and fear, and try to find anger and resentment as team mem- [)SO:t (tempEd] 
ways to process them in safe conver- bers realize that they have to abandon harshly [(hA:Sli]  , reizbar
, barsch
sations with friends and colleagues. It familiar ways of working — with a fear
is important not to let these emotions of making mistakes, having to do more
cause you to communicate harshly. work, etc. Maintaining open and fre-
You should remain open and construc- quent communication channels is es-
tive, and curious about what is coming. sential. John Kotter suggests building a

Case study: A change in team identity

Jenny Brucker is leading a virtual team of interna- Lotte: But it can’t work. The local countries are accountability
tional health-and-safety experts working for XChem, never going to be able to recruit the right ex- [E)kaUntE(bIlEti] 
, Verantwortlichkeit
a chemical company near Frankfurt. The team mem- perts in such a short time. Even if they can,
board [bO:d] 
bers are located in Germany (two people), Sweden it will take years to understand the different
, Vorstand
(three people) and Finland (one person). In the past, production technologies. I think this could
business unit
the team was responsible for 23 countries, providing really seriously impact safety in some of the [(bIznEs )ju:nIt] 
health-and-safety advice and support to local produc- plants. , Unternehmensbereich
tion sites. The country responsibilities were divided Jenny: It will be our role in the central team to sup- COO (chief operating
among the team members, who worked closely with port them. We have the expertise and this officer)
[)si: EU (EU] 
the COO in each country. will be part of our role going forward.
,  Vorstand für das
To increase local accountability and bring local Lotte: But the new heads report to the local COO operative Geschäft
business units closer to their customers, a new struc- and not to us, so that won’t work either. ensure sth.
ture has been announced by the global board. Local How will we get them to listen to us if we [In(SO:] 
health-and-safety heads will be appointed, who will don’t have any authority? It’s just crazy. ,  etw. sicherstellen

report to their local COOs. The international team Jenny: Look, I don’t have time now to go into de- expertise
[)eksp§:(ti:z] 
is to be reduced, though details have not yet been tail, but you have to get rid of this negativi-
, Fachwissen
specified. The plan is to reduce costs and to focus ty. I told the team yesterday that this was an
going forward
the remaining central team on more strategic areas, opportunity, but I’m only hearing problems. [)gEUIN (fO:wEd] 
monitoring the local health-and-safety heads and Let me put it on the agenda for our team ,  in (der) Zukunft
ensuring the sharing of best practices between the meeting next week. monitor sth.
countries, and common reporting practices. Lotte: I’m not being negative. I’m being practical. [(mQnItE] 
,  etw. überwachen
The day after she announced the planned changes Jenny: OK, we’ll discuss it next week. I have to run
in a meeting, Jenny is discussing them on the phone to my next meeting. I don’t have time for plant [plA:nt] 
, Werk
with Lotte Lindqvist, from her Swedish team. this right now.
recruit sb.
[ri(kru:t] 
Lotte: So, what’s going to happen and when? I’m ,  jmdn. einstellen

⋅⋅
really worried about all this. What to think about
Jenny: Lotte, you need to be patient. The new struc- What do you think the main reasons were for the

⋅⋅
ture was announced by the global board change announced by the board of XChem?
only last week. I don’t have all the details How well has Lotte responded to the planned

⋅⋅
myself. changes?
Lotte: But the announcement was clear. We’re los- How well does Jenny handle Lotte’s reservations

⋅⋅
ing all our countries and probably our jobs. during the call?
Jenny: You’re not losing your countries. The coun- What other steps should Jenny take to manage her
try responsibility is moving more to the team through the change process?
new local heads. The central team will get
new responsibilities. And there has been no
decision on job losses yet either. ➻ You will find our feedback on page 40
38  Business Spotlight 2/2019 BUSINESS SKILLS
 Managing
change:
a key
leadership
skill

IT IS IMPORTANT
strong coalition of supporters who can
challenge negative emotions in the or-

FOR PEOPLE TO
ganization and maintain a positive mo-
mentum for change.

c) Bargaining. Here, people realize that LOOK FORWARDS

AND NOT
change must happen. But rather than
engaging fully with the change, they often
KEY TIPS!
attempt to negotiate a way forward that
holds on to the past and minimizes the re-
ality of the change. Acceptance of change
BACKWARDS •
Remember that the central issue
is not whether we should change
but rather how, how fast and how
is therefore only partial. effectively.
bargaining [(bA:gInIN]  •
What does this mean for managing
, Verhandeln As a leader, you need to help

⋅⋅
change at work? your team members go through
engage with sth.
For team members. In this phase, it is [In(geIdZ wID] 
their various reactions to change
(shock, denial, depression, etc.) in
important for people to look forwards ,  sich auf etw. einlassen order to reach acceptance.
and not backwards. They should spend momentum •
time negotiating realistically both [mEU(mentEm]  A change process can benefit
, Dynamik from individuals who don’t simply
the speed and the scale of the coming accept everything, but instead
change. If they negotiate poorly, they overwhelmed: be ~ challenge constructively, with a
[)EUvE(welmd]  view to optimizing the process.
may become overwhelmed and fall ,  überfordert sein
back into denial. If they negotiate well,
Illustrationen: Yann Bastard

scale [skeI&l] 
they can establish a realistic schedule , Ausmaß
denial [di(naIEl] 
for change that allows them to main- schedule [(Sedju:l]  ,  Verweigerung, Nicht-wahrhaben-
tain their current operational respon- ,  Zeit-, Ablaufplan Wollen
sibilities but also to steadily embrace steadily [(stedIli] 
the future. , stets

BUSINESS SKILLS 2/2019 Business Spotlight 39 

 ⋅⋅
For leaders. In this phase, both “pull”
and “push” strategies may be neces-
d) Depression. In this phase, people may
experience powerful emotions such as
appreciate sth.
[E(pri:SieIt] 
,  etw. schätzen;
sary. A pull strategy involves asking sadness, fear and a deep sense of loss and hier: etw. wahrnehmen,
questions to understand staff concerns, disillusionment as they say goodbye to verstehen
perhaps even giving concessions to the past. People tend to withdraw from withdraw from sb.
keep team members motivated. Em- others, stop engaging and communicat- [wID(drO: )frQm] 
,  sich von jmdm.
ployees may, however, fail to appreci- ing, only to be lost with a sense of help-
zurückziehen
ate the urgency of change and lack the lessness.
confidence to agree to a schedule that What does this mean for managing

⋅⋅
is ambitious enough to meet business change at work?
needs. So, alongside listening and hav- For team members. It is important to
ing patience, leaders may need a push help people transition through the de-
strategy — driving and demanding with pression phase as quickly as possible.
urgency new ways of doing things. Engaging in new tasks, and focusing on

Case study: Feedback (see p. 38)

The following comments are provided as food for How well does Jenny handle Lotte’s reservations alienate sb. [(eIliEneIt] 
,  jmdn. verstimmen
thought. Different interpretations are, of course, during the call?
possible. Jenny has already announced the change to her team align sth. to sth.
[E(laIn tu] 
but it is clear that Lotte lacks a clear framework for ,  etw. auf etw. abstimmen
What do you think the main reasons were for the understanding the logic, the schedule and the future
anger [(ÄNgE] 
change announced by the board of XChem? relationships in the organization. ,  Wut, Ärger
XChem has initiated a change that can be seen We don’t know whether Jenny didn’t explain the clarify sth. [(klÄrEfaI] 
in many large global organizations. The global model changes well or whether Lotte simply failed to listen. ,  etw. klarstellen
of the past involved key functions of country oper- In the call, however, Jenny risks alienating Lotte by compromised: be ~
ations being managed by central teams of experts. constantly contradicting her concerns, labelling her [(kQmprEmaIzd] 
,  beeinträchtigt werden
This proved expensive, with high salaries and trav- as “negative” and giving the impression that she has
el costs. Also, the central team slowly began to lose other, more important priorities. contradict sb. /sth.
[)kQntrE(dIkt] , jmdm./
touch with the local markets, which led to reduced etw. widersprechen
revenues and profits. What other steps should Jenny take to manage her
customize sth. to sth.
The change aims to give authority to local organ- team through the change process? [(kVstEmaIz tu] 
izations to manage their markets and operations First of all, Jenny needs to find the time to talk ,  etw. an etw. anpassen
better — at lower cost and more closely aligned to through fully with her team the logic and benefits — denial: express ~ [di(naIEl] 
local market needs. both individual and team-related — of the planned ,  hier: eine Verweigerungs-
haltung einnehmen
The smaller central team will offer support where changes.
needed, and encourage the sharing of experiences She also needs to plan, as far as possible, how best engage with sth.
[In(geIdZ wID] 
across borders and standardized reporting. to implement the new structure in a realistic and ,  sich mit etw. befassen
efficient way to ensure that her team is not over-
food for thought
How well has Lotte responded to the planned loaded when managing the handover to local oper- [)fu:d fE (TO:t] 
changes? ations. , Denkanstoß/-anstöße

Lotte seems to be in the early stages of the change She needs to ensure that the handover is custom- handover [(hÄnd)EUvE] 
process, suffering from shock and anger, and express- ized to the competence levels of the newly recruited , Übergabe

ing some denial. This response is natural to some local health-and-safety heads, and that health and label sb. as sth. [(leIb&l Äz] 
,  hier: jmdn. etw. nennen
extent. It is also supported by logical concerns of a safety is not compromised during the process. It
threat to the quality of local health and safety, and would probably be best for Jenny to design this pro- lose touch with sb./sth.
[)lu:z (tVtS wID] 
a reduction in her ability to influence the new local cess with her team, to allow it to manage the change ,  den Kontakt zu jmdm. /
heads. in an effective and efficient way. den Bezug zu etw. verlieren
But it is important for Lotte to engage more deeply Importantly, she needs to clarify as soon as possi- revenue [(revEnju:] 
with the logic of the change and to step into a leader- ble the future staffing level in the central team. It is , Umsatzerlös

ship role so that she, Jenny and the team can manage important to be transparent about job losses if they schedule [(Sedju:l] 
the change in the best way possible. are to happen. ,  Zeit-, Ablaufplan

40  Business Spotlight 2/2019 BUSINESS SKILLS

 Double
challenge:
managing
your workload
and managing
change
Illustrationen: Yann Bastard
Fotos: XX

BUSINESS SKILLS 2/2019 Business Spotlight 41 

 Tips for managing change learning and acquiring new skills is an
excellent way to become excited again
assess sth. [E(ses] 
,  etw. einschätzen,
beurteilen
(see table on p. 34) about work, and to begin to appreciate
come to terms with sth.

⋅⋅
the benefits of the changed situation.
[)kVm tE (t§:mz wID] 

⋅⋅
1. Promotion to a higher position  For leaders. Providing opportunities ,  sich mit etw. arrangieren
Benchmark the market rate to negotiate the best for employees to experience the bene- crucial [(kru:S&l] 

⋅⋅
salary. fits of the change — with training and , entscheidend
Ensure that training is part of any new role nego- support for new roles — is an important deploy sth.

⋅⋅
tiated. way to create self-belief in staff who are [di(plOI] 
,  etw. einsetzen
Learn to prioritize effectively to manage the in- at risk of depression. It is also essential
creased workload. to take time for individual meetings to key performance indicator
(KPI)
assess the feelings of team members, to [)ki: pE(fO:mEns

⋅⋅
2. Appointment of a new boss  provide support and help, and to coach )IndIkeItE] 
Ask questions to discover how to trust your boss. a positive mindset. , Leistungskennzahl

Try to discover their areas of expertise and what mindset

⋅⋅
[(maIndset] 
they have achieved in the past. e) Acceptance. This is the crucial phase,
,  Denkweise, Einstellung
Understand how the new boss likes to lead. Are during which people come to terms with
nostalgia
they quick or slow to trust? Identify ways in which the new reality and begin to take steps to [nQ(stÄldZE] 

⋅⋅
you can learn from them. engage with it. They begin to exercise a ,  [wg. Aussprache]
Explore whether the new boss sees ways in which sense of control over their changed roles
you and your role can grow. and activities, find new energy and confi-
dence, and re-engage with others to move

⋅⋅
3. Participation in an international project  their life forwards.
Make travel an advantage and not a disadvantage. What does this mean for managing

⋅⋅
Take time to stop over in new places you visit, and change at work?

⋅⋅
ask your partner or family to join you. For team members. It is important to
Learn about new cultural contexts. Think about take time to celebrate the successes ex-
how different ways of doing things can enrich your perienced with the new way of working

⋅⋅
working style. and to fully understand the personal,
Invest time in improving your English with ex- team and organizational benefits creat-
tra study so that you leave the project as a fluent ed by the change process. At the same
speaker of English. time, a positive mindset should be
deployed towards any remaining prob-

⋅⋅
4. Introduction of a new IT platform lems. Nostalgia about the old world

⋅⋅
Take time to become an expert in the new system. needs to be rejected.

⋅⋅
If you are good at using it, you will enjoy it. For leaders. As people begin to accept
Think about ways in which the new system can and embrace the new reality, it is impor-

⋅⋅
make life better for customers and reduce costs. tant for leaders to set realistic goals to
Share experiences with other users so that you can drive action, and to encourage every-
see ways in which the system makes sense for the one to fully participate in shaping the
company. new world. Workshops that collect and
test people’s ideas can build a sense of

⋅⋅
5. Relocation with family overseas  ownership among team members. As
Think about how your family can benefit from the progress is made, communication and

⋅⋅
experience, not just you. celebration of success are essential. So
Establish a “schedule” to keep contact with old are individual and team feedback con-

⋅⋅
friends — for example by email, video or phone. versations to express thanks to those
Explore interesting activities in the local culture to who have helped to navigate the dif-
ensure that you grow as a person. ficult journey. Training that develops
new ways of thinking and behaving
Illustrationen: Yann Bastard; Foto: privat

and the integration of these into job

benchmark sth. expertise [)eksp§:(ti:z] 
[(bentSmA:k]  , Fachwissen
descriptions and key performance in-
,  etw. als Maßstab setzen dicators (KPIs) are also key parts of this
fluent [(flu:Ent] 
enrich sth. [In(rItS]  ,  fließend (sprechend) phase.
,  etw. bereichern
relocation [)ri:lEU(keIS&n] 
ensure sth. , Umzug 4. The choice is yours
[In(SO:] 
schedule [(Sedju:l]  In many organizations, people feel that
,  etw. sicherstellen
,  Zeit-, Ablaufplan they are the victims of change driven by

42  Business Spotlight 2/2019 BUSINESS SKILLS

INDIVIDUALS
outside forces. This
often results in re-
customize sth. to sth.
[(kVstEmaIz tu]  Language reference
,  etw. an etw. anpassen
sentment towards The following phrases can be used to talk about
WHO SEEK TO change, accompa- insight (into sth.)
[(InsaIt ()Intu)] 
change-management processes.

PARTICIPATE
nied by rejection ,  Erkenntnis (von etw.),

⋅⋅⋅⋅
and resistance, Verständis (für etw.) Asking about the reasons for the change

IN CHANGE
or even sabotage. rejection What is the strategic vision behind the change?

⋅⋅
Of course, some [ri(dZekS&n]  What are we trying to achieve with the change?
, Ablehnung

DEVELOP AND
elements of pro- What do I need to do to enable the change to be
sabotage
fessional life do lie effective?
[(sÄbEtA:Z] 

GROW WITH IT
outside our con- ,  [wg. Aussprache]

⋅⋅⋅⋅
trol, even for those Communicating the reasons for the change
in senior positions. The main driver behind this change is…

⋅⋅⋅⋅
Making change The main reason for the change is…
work for the benefit of your team and The change will enable us to…
organization requires a strategic under- If we don’t change, there is a real risk that we will…
standing of your organization, its place in

⋅⋅⋅⋅
the market, its strengths and weaknesses, Discovering feelings about the change
and the factors driving change. It also de- How is this affecting you?

⋅⋅⋅⋅
mands insight into the value of new ways How do you feel about… ?
of doing things and the ability to over- Are you worried about this change?
come the emotions that arise when we How can I support you in adapting to/managing… ?
are forced to give up past habits and leave
our comfort zone. Successful change de- Discussing opportunities resulting from the

⋅⋅⋅⋅
mands deep questioning to learn both the change
why of change and the how. The change This is a great opportunity to…

⋅⋅
process can also benefit from individuals This will allow you to…
who don’t simply accept everything their The change will enable you to develop/grow/

⋅⋅
leaders say, but instead challenge them increase/raise…
constructively, with a view to optimizing In a few years, you will be in a position to…
the process. AUDIO + PLUS
Ultimately, individuals who seek to Using coaching questions to increase engage-
You can try our

⋅⋅⋅⋅
participate in change, to develop and exercises on this ment
grow with it, and to optimize and cus- topic on Business What are your change priorities at the moment?
Spotlight Audio

⋅⋅
tomize it to an ever-changing reality are as well as in our How can you do more to support the change?
likely to become part of the future of an exercise booklet, What do you need in order to feel more confident
Business Spotlight
organization rather than one of the many Plus. To order, go about this change?
to www.aboshop.
memories of its past. The choice is always spotlight-verlag.de

⋅⋅⋅⋅
yours to make. Driving change
It’s essential that we start to…

⋅⋅
People need to stop… (-ing)
➻ We simply need to…
In part three of our series on leadership, we look
at how to lead across cultures. Setting realistic goals for the

⋅⋅
change process
The first thing you need

⋅⋅
to do is to…
The main goal for
you in the short

⋅⋅
term is to…
I would say that
success for us means…

BOB DIGNEN
is a director of York Associates affect sb. driver engagement
(www.york-associates.co.uk) and author [E(fekt]  [(draIvE]  [In(geIdZmEnt] 
of many business English books. Con­ ,  jmdn. betreffen, ,  Motor, Triebkraft ,  hier: Einbindung,
tact: bob.dignen@york-associates.co.uk beeinflussen Beteiligung

BUSINESS SKILLS 2/2019 Business Spotlight 43 

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 SPECIAL: 100TH ISSUE

BUSINESS ENGLISH
100 TOP TIPS

OF THE BEST Business Spotlight feiert seine 100. Ausgabe!

Aus diesem Anlass haben SASKIA REBMANN und IAN MCMASTER
genau 100 nützliche Tipps für Ihren Berufsalltag ausgewählt.
MEDIUM  AUDIO

I
n this article, we have put together 100 top tips for doing 3. Women at Work: Gender communication
business in English — one from each of the first 100 issues “For both men and women, it is an advantage to be able to
of Business Spotlight. For each tip, we provide the issue num- think both ‘male’ and ‘female’ — or to combine these ways
ber and page number where it can be found. We begin with of thinking for optimum results.”
a short test, as in the first issue of Business Spotlight back in (Shere Hite, 4/2001, p. 38)
March 2001.
4. Management: Styles
“As managers of people, we need to know our own personal
1. Test: Improve your business English style and how it affects others. But that is not enough. We
What do the following abbreviations stand for? also need to quickly recognize the personal styles of the
(Answers on page 53) people we have to work with so that we can deal with them
A. CFO appropriately.”
B. M&A (Ken Taylor, 1/2002, p. 79)
C. ROI
D. SMEs 5. What is… cherry picking?
E. IPO “Cherry picking is choosing the most profitable options from
(Steve Flinders, 2/2001, p. 17) those that are available — in other words, taking only the best
and leaving the rest.”
(2/2002, p. 81)
2. Socializing: Handshakes
“Don’t assume that a strong handshake will be appreciated abbreviation appreciate sth. appropriately
[E)bri:vi(eIS&n]   [E(pri:SieIt]   [E(prEUpriEtli]  
in all parts of the world.” ,  Abkürzung ,  etw. schätzen, ,  auf angemessene Weise
(Jeremy Comfort, 3/2001, p. 68) zu schätzen wissen

46  Business Spotlight 2/2019 BUSINESS ENGLISH

 SPECIAL: 100TH ISSUE

“ I still have 6. Workplace:

Time management
12. Business Skills: Selling
“Selling internationally may require an ability to work with
my feet on the “At the start of each day, Nordic silences, to enjoy English irony, and to feel comfortable

ground. I just spend ten minutes making

a list of your tasks for the day.
with American ‘buddiness’. It is your job to learn that flexibility.”
(Bob Dignen, 1/2004, p. 77)
wear better Time spent making a plan
of action is never wasted; 13. Office Blues: Sickness
shoes” it saves you time in the “The fun part [of being sick] is [that] your colleagues have to be
long run.” nice to you.”
(Ken Taylor, 3/2002, p. 16) (Kathrin Hauger, 2/2004, p. 63)

7. The Last Laugh: 14. Business Skills: Persuasion

Speaking “Your ability to persuade may depend on your finding new and
“Always try to stop talking creative solutions to difficult issues. Remember, however, that
before people stop listening.” creativity requires preparation.”
Oprah Winfrey, (4/2002, p. 104) (Bob Dignen, 3/2004, p. 66)

US chat-show host
and businesswoman 8. Intercultural 15. The Last Laugh: Multitasking
(1/2002, p. 11)
Communication: Projects “Multitasking means that you can fail at several things at once.”
“Spend time on team (4/2004, p. 104)
building to create trust and
common commitment. Use partners with local knowledge, 16. Careers: Fitness
and employ cultural mediators to coach and support you.” “Park one kilometer from your workplace, or get off public
(Robert Gibson, 1/2003, p. 29) transportation one station earlier and walk the rest of the way.
Wear comfortable shoes.”
9. Business Skills: Chairing meetings (Carol Scheunemann, 1/2005, p. 100)
“If you send pre-meeting literature, it is not guaranteed that
anybody will read it. … One way to make sure people read the
documentation is to ask for feedback on it before the meeting.”
17. Business Skills:
Small talk
“Making money
(Bob Dignen, 2/2003, p. 65) “Use positive body lan- is art, and
10. Executive Eye: Courage
guage (smiles, eye contact,
etc.) to show that you are
working is
“The first type of courage needed by managers is the courage
to fail. The second type is interpersonal courage. This is the
interested.”
(Bob Dignen, 2/2005, p. 68)
art, and good
courage needed to dismiss people, to tell them that they are business
18. Careers: Image
performing badly. … The third type of courage is … the courage
to stand up for a moral belief.” “…business dress will
is the best art”
(Adrian Furnham, 3/2003, p. 84) always be a compromise
between corporate culture,
11. Working World: Top office complaints industry culture and
1. “It’s too cold!” national culture on the one
2. “It’s too hot!” hand, and individualism on
(Source: International Facility Management Association, 4/2003, p. 9) the other.”
(Kathleen Becker/
Andy Warhol,
Fotos: picture alliance / AP Photo; ddp images

Julian Ear­waker, 3/2005, p. 96)

buddiness dismiss sb. mediator
[(bVdInEs] US   [dIs(mIs]   [(mi:dieItE]   American pop artist
, Kumpelhaftigkeit ,  jmdn. entlassen , Mittler(in) 19. Business Skills: (4/2005, p. 8)
commitment in the long run public transportation Conflicts
[kE(mItmEnt]  [)In DE (lQN rVn]   [)pVblIk )trÄnspO:(teIS&n] “Conflict should not be seen as wholly negative, however. It
, Engagement ,  auf lange Sicht US , öffentliche
Verkehrsmittel
can be a useful way of discovering organizational issues that
corporate issue [(ISu:]   need to be dealt with.”
[(kO:pErEt]   ,  Frage, Thema; Problem stand up for sth.
, Unternehmens- [)stÄnd (Vp fO:]   (Bob Dignen, 4/2005, p. 67)
,  für etw. eintreten

BUSINESS ENGLISH 2/2019 Business Spotlight 47 

 SPECIAL: 100TH ISSUE

20. Business Skills: Audio conferencing

“Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone so that we
“ I went to the 27. Office Blues: Bluffing
“Like it or not, one of the
might communicate more effectively with one another. Re- business school greatest forces in business
member that when dialling in to your next conference call.”
(Bob Dignen, 1/2006, p. 70)
of life” is the power of the bluff. ...
After all, it’s not what you
know; it’s what people think
21. Intercultural Communication: Stereotypes you know.”
“Lists of dos and don’ts are like freezing the frame in a film and (Kathrin Hauger, 2/2007, p. 12)
then using it to try to understand the story. Even if they are true,
they don’t consider the context in which things happen and the 28. Technically Speaking:
motivation of the people involved. They can never be complete.” Jeans and genes
(Robert Gibson, 2/2006, p. 38) Anita Roddick, “Most people worry more
Body Shop founder about jeans than genes,
22. Office Blues: Questions
⋅⋅
(2/2007, p. 6) perhaps because they don’t
“Why does the boss always walk in just when you’re telling a realize that one fifth of all our

⋅⋅
colleague about an interesting dream?” genes are already owned by someone else. Well, I say: you may
“Why do you remember important tasks only after you’ve touch my Levi’s, but keep your hands off my genes.”
put your coat on to leave? Does wearing a coat improve your (Eamonn Fitzgerald, 3/2007, p. 88)

⋅⋅
memory?”
“Why do computer crashes happen only when you haven’t 29. I ntercultural Communication: Body language
saved your document in three hours?” “Even when you remain silent, you are communicating in
(Kathrin Hauger, 3/2006, p. 11) some way; it is impossible not to communicate.”
(Robert Gibson, 4/2007, p. 41)
23. Careers: Salary negotiations
“Successfully bargaining for the pay you want is satisfying in 30. Business Skills: Difficult people
more ways than one. Not only will you have more money at “… the people who we experience as problematic are poten-
the end of the month, the higher value placed on your work tially the ones who are the most enriching for us. When we
will increase your self-esteem and motivation.” feel ourselves judging another person in a negative way, we
(Julie Hawrishok, 4/2006, p. 95) should try to switch off this reaction and re-engage with an
open mind.”
24. Editorial: Customer and king (Bob Dignen, 5/2007, p. 68)
“In one area of business life, customers and their wishes are all
too often ignored: presentations. … So, next time you give a 31. Telephoning: Branding yourself

Foto: imago/United Archives International; ddp/intertopics; picture alliance/Reuters/Kamil Krzaczynski

presentation, imagine all the kings (and queens) who are “Personal branding is … especially important when you are in
listening — and put their needs at the centre of your talk.” a telephone conference where you cannot see each other. You
(Ian McMaster, 5/2006, p. 3) want people to remember who you are.”
(Ken Taylor, 6/2007, p. 75)
25. The Last Laugh: Business letters
“Never ask two questions in a business letter. The reply will 32. Authentic English: International English
discuss the one you are least interested in and say nothing “Many business interactions in English — perhaps most of
about the other.” them — involve people who do not have English as their
(6/2006, p.104) native language. In such interactions, both native and non-
native speakers may make grammatical ‘errors’ — that is, they
26. Management: Perfectionists speak in ways that are different from native-speaker norms.
“There’s nothing wrong with high standards, but they need to be But these ‘errors’ do not always lead to communication
reachable. It’s all about being OK, being among the best without problems.”
always being the best, and being human, not superhuman.” (Almut Köster, 1/2008, p. 55)
(Adrian Furnham, 1/2007, p. 80)
33. Business Skills: Writing
bargaining [(bA:gInIN]   enriching [In(rItSIN]   re-engage [)ri: In(geIdZ]  
, Verhandeln , bereichernd ,  sich erneut (darauf)
“Remember the saying: ‘Easy reading is damned hard writing’.
einlassen But that’s the whole point. When we are writing, our task is to
damned [dÄmd]   freeze the frame
, verdammt [)fri:z DE (freIm]   self-esteem [)self I(sti:m]   make life as easy for our readers as possible.”
,  den Film anhalten , Selbstachtung (Ken Taylor, 2/2008, p. 70)

48  Business Spotlight 2/2019 BUSINESS ENGLISH

 SPECIAL: 100TH ISSUE

34. Say It in Style: Health and illness 40. Careers: Procrastinating

“In the English-speaking world, the question ‘How are you?’ “When you get stuck [on a task], struggle for just one minute.
is usually just a polite greeting. Don’t respond with a complete After that, ask yourself, ‘Do I need help? Could I delegate this
report of your health status or details of your gastric flu. part of the task? Could I complete the task without the diffi-
The expected answer is ‘Fine, thanks,” or, at worst, ‘Oh, not cult part?’”
too bad, thanks’.” (Marty Nemko, 3/2009, p. 56)
(Anna Hochsieder, 3/2008, p.54)

35. Business Skills: Business emails

41. What I’ve Learned:
Right and self-righteous
“ In America,
“If you have a lot of contact with the same customer, business “When you know that we spend more
partner or colleague via email, try to build a relationship
by adding a few lines of small talk to some of your emails —
you are right, the line
between being right and
time talking
usually in the opening lines or as a closing paragraph.”
(Deborah Capras, 4/2008, p. 53)
being self-righteous can
be very thin. And there
about what can’t
were times when I was too get done, what is
36.Business Basics: Competitiveness
“Soft factors are becoming increasingly important for
self-righteous.”
(Archbishop Desmond Tutu,
impossible, and
competitiveness. For example, being able to attract and
keep talent is now seen as a competitive edge.”
4/2009, p. 64) we pass that on
(5/2008, p. 72) 42. Authentic English: to our children. …
37. Office Blues: Biorhythm management
Using humour
“One form of humour
I don’t want that
“It’s good to know your biorhythm, but it’s better to have is self-deprecation. … for my girls”
some coffee ready just in case.” Self-deprecation can be
(Kathrin Enke, 6/2008, p. 11) used to try to soften any
criticism you think you
38. Business Skills: might receive from, say, a
Presentations boss or colleague.”

“ There are no “Presentations often fail

to make an impact because
(Almut Köster, 5/2009, p. 85)

disasters, only speakers try to communi-

cate their own objectives to
43. Careers:
Self-employment Michelle Obama, lawyer
opportunities. their audiences rather than “Run the business out and former First Lady
of the United States
And indeed presenting tangible benefits
for them.”
of your home — even if
you’re living in a one-room (5/2009, p. 62)

opportunities (Bob Dignen, 1/2009, p. 46) apartment with a baby.

Avoiding the cost of renting office space will save a great
for fresh 39. Intercultural deal of money that you’ll need for more important things.”
Communication:
disasters” Gender communication
(Marty Nemko, 6/2009, p. 54)

“The key to understanding 44. Meetings: Leading a discussion

communication between “The key to successful discussion is making regular, short
cultures, whether national summaries of the dicussion.”
or gender-based, is not to (Ken Taylor, 1/2010, p. 51)
ignore the fact that there are
differences, but to see what challenge sth. gastric flu self-righteous
we have in common — and [(tSÄlIndZ]   [)gÄstrIk (flu:]   [)self (raItSEs]  
Boris Johnson, above all, to continually ,  etw. infragestellen ,  Magen-Darm-Grippe , selbstgerecht

former mayor of London challenge stereotypes.” competitive edge impact: make an ~ summary
[kEm)petEtIv (edZ]   [(ImpÄkt]  [(sVmEri]  
(6/2008, p. 8) (Robert Gibson, 2/2009, p. 40)
, Wettbewerbsvorteil ,  Wirkung zeigen , Zusammenfassung

competitiveness self-deprecation tangible

[kEm(petEtIvnEs]   [)self )deprE(keIS&n]   [(tÄndZEb&l]  
, Wettbewerbsfähigkeit ,  Selbstironie ,  handfest, konkret

BUSINESS ENGLISH 2/2019 Business Spotlight 49 

 SPECIAL: 100TH ISSUE

45. Careers: Job applications

“Prepare ‘PAR’ stories: Problems you’ve faced, how you’ve
“ If you can 53. Business Skills: Gossip
“Gossip can certainly be dan-
Approached them, and the positive Resolution.” dream it, gerous and destructive for or-
(Marty Nemko, 2/2010, p. 55)
you can ganizations. But it can also be
useful, both for staff and for
46. Technology: Documentation
“Technical documents must be correct, clear and consistent.”
do it” leaders. Combined with small
talk and networking, gossip
(Carol Scheunemann, 3/2010, p. 65) can form a powerful informa-
tion channel and an opportu-
47. What I’ve Learned: Getting better Walt Disney, nity for relationship building.”
“Every time you work with someone who’s better than you American film-maker (Bob Dignen, 4/2011, p. 42)
are, you become greater.” (5/2011, p. 6)
(Lady Gaga, 4/2010, p. 60) 54. Careers: Speaking
“Unless you’re saying something you know deserves more
48. Business Skills: Networking than a minute, at the 30-second mark, look for a place to stop.
“Networking is both an attitude and an activity.” Listeners who want more can ask a question.”
(Bob Dignen, 5/2010, p. 38) (Marty Nemko, 5/2011, p. 55)

49. Management: Team selection 55. Business Skills: Asking questions

“Not every talented person is a team player. Good team players “…if you want further facts, just say, ‘tell me more’ … use this
have good listening skills, are cooperative, can represent their phrase to encourage people to add more information to the
own area of expertise, see the project’s success as a group effort answer they have given you. It works every time!”
and are flexible and secure.” (Ken Taylor, 6/2011, p. 46)
(Vicki Sussens-Messerer, 6/2010, p. 60)
56. Careers: Hobby to job
50. Business Skills: Trust “If you decide starting a business is not for you, consider giving
“People trust those who trust them. … One of the best ways to courses or writing about your hobby for magazines or online
develop trust in a team is to show trust to others, even before sites on your subject.”
you really have enough information to do so.” (Margaret Davis, 1/2012, p. 51)
(Bob Dignen, 1/2011, p. 42)
57. What I’ve Learned: Focusing
51. Careers: Mentor magic “People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to
“Don’t focus on finding just one mentor. Since most successful focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no
people are busy, it might be better to have several mentors, to the hundred other good ideas that there are. ... I’m actually as
each of whom you call on, by email or phone, just for snippets proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done.”
of help.” (Steve Jobs, 2/2012, p. 64)
(Marty Nemko, 2/2011, p. 53)
58. Business Skills: Telephoning
52. The Last Laugh: Falling behind “Take time at the start of a call just to listen and assess the
“The sooner you fall behind, the more time you will have to mood of the other person, the time pressure they are under,
catch up.” etc. If necessary, be prepared to change what you had planned
Foto: Bridgeman images; imago/United Archives International

(3/2011, p. 94) to say so that it fits in with these factors.”

(Bob Dignen, 3/2012, p. 40)

approach sth. expertise gossip [(gQsIp]   59. The Last Laugh: Light and sound
[E(prEUtS]   [)eksp§:(ti:z]   ,  Gerede, Klatsch “Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people
,  an etw. herangehen , Sachkompetenz
snippet appear bright until you hear them speak.”
assess sth. [E(ses]   face sth. [feIs]   [(snIpIt]   (4/2012, p. 94)
,  etw. einschätzen ,  etw. gegenüberstehen , Stückchen

bright [braIt]   fall behind summary

, hell; auch: schlau, [)fO:l bi(haInd]   [(sVmEri]  
60. Executive Eye: Emotional needs
intelligent , zurückfallen , Zusammenfassung “If an employee’s emotional needs are honoured, it is likely
catch up [)kÄtS (Vp]   (but not certain) that he or she will be happy at work.”
, aufholen (Adrian Furnham, 5/2012, p. 67)

50  Business Spotlight 2/2019 BUSINESS ENGLISH

 SPECIAL: 100TH ISSUE

61. Technology: Robots 68. Say It in Style: Introducing people

“So what will we all do when the machines take over? Well, “Tell the people you are introducing to each other what they do
certainly, the bad news is that a robot will one day write this or where they are from. It is your job to assist them in starting a
column, but the good news is that, by then, I will be writing conversation.”
bedtime stories for robots.” (Anna Hochsieder, 1/2014, p. 37)
(Eamonn Fitzgerald, 6/2012, p. 73)
69. Business Skills: Listening
62. Language Learning: Collocations “Although it is important to exchange shared experiences
“My top tip for more advanced learners can be summed up in in order to build rapport, we should first stay focused on the
just one word: collocations. … Whenever you read or listen to world of others and ask questions that help them to talk about
an English text, underline or write down a few word combina- their world, their lives and their experiences.”
tions that you would like to remember.” (Bob Dignen, 2/2014, p. 32)
(Anna Hochsieder, 1/2013, p. 45)
70. Teacher Talk: Digital skills
63. Careers: “Get as much English exposure and practice outside the class-
Relaxation techniques “ Life is what room as possible. Technology can definitely help with this —
“Experts say that one of the
best ways to fight stress is happens internet resources, video podcasts on ... mobile phones, social
networks in English.”
simply to move around.”
(Margaret Davis, 2/2013, p. 67)
to you while (Nicky Hockly, 3/2014, p. 62)

you’re busy 71. Careers: Finding a job

64. Executive Eye:
Talent making other “…if you don’t brand yourself, others will brand you — and it
could hurt your career.”
“Practice is essential for
excellent performance. But
plans” (Michael Browne, 4/2014, p. 68)

practice alone cannot create 72. Careers: Finding a job

talent, neither in business “A common mistake among jobseekers is to state that their
nor in sport.” objective is to find a job that will help them to build their
(Adrian Furnham, 3/2013, p. 79) skills or gain experience in a particular field. Employers, not
surprisingly, are more interested in how a candidate’s skills will
65. Business Skills: benefit the company.”
Decisions (Margaret Davis, 5/2014, p. 70)
“Too often, people fail to John Lennon,
tell others clearly what was British musician and 73. Business Skills: Meetings
decided, by whom and why. former Beatle “After each meeting, … ask yourself: How well prepared was I?
Yet, unless decisions are (5/2011, p. 6) What could I have done better?”
communicated effectively, (Bob Dignen, 6/2014, p. 34)
they are unlikely to be
implemented well.” 74. Teacher Talk: Intercultural competence
(Bob Dignen, 4/2013, p. 34) “‘Speaking’ a foreign culture is like speaking a foreign lan-
guage. It’s fascinating! And being fluent in a culture will get
66. Easy English: Presenting a project update you further than being fluent in a language.”
“If you are going to use slides in your update, you might want (Akos Gerold, 1/2015, p. 62)
to email them to the team before the meeting so that they can
form their opinions and prepare some questions.”
(Mike Hogan, 5/2013, p. 46) brand oneself exposure implement sth.
[(brÄnd wVn)self]   [Ik(spEUZE]   [(ImplIment]  
,  sich als Marke , Ausgesetztsein; ,  etw. umsetzen
67. Careers: Leaving a job präsentieren hier: Kontakt
quit (one’s job) [kwIt]  
“There’s only one good reason to leave your job, according to build rapport fluent: be ~ in sth. ,  (seine Stelle) kündigen
career expert Caroline Ceniza-Levine. ‘You should quit your [)bIld rÄp(O:]   [(flu:Ent]  
slide [slaId]  
,  ein harmonisches ,  hier: sich in etw. gut
job when quitting is the next step to a better life’, Ceniza- , Folie
Verhältnis aufbauen auskennen; (eine Sprache)
Levine writes in Forbes magazine.” fließend sprechen sum sth. up [)sVm (Vp]  
(6/2013, p. 68) ,  etw. zusammenfassen

BUSINESS ENGLISH 2/2019 Business Spotlight 51 

 SPECIAL: 100TH ISSUE

75. Management: Creating good karma

“Good karma may not get you a rise, but could it have a
“ If you’re 82. Business Skills:
Public speaking
positive effect in your organization.” offered a seat “Here are five key tips
(Trang Chu, 2/2015, p. 73)
on a rocket for improving your
performance:
76. Business Skills: Teamwork
“People in international teams often have a heavy workload,
ship, don’t ask 1. Just say three things
2. Rehearse and rehearse
which can lead to key milestones being missed. Introduce what seat! 3. Connect to key values
smaller ‘sub-milestones’ to act as an early warning system
when problems arise.”
Just get on!” 4. Use real stories
5. Finish strongly”
(Bob Dignen, 3/2015, p. 33) (Bob Dignen,
3/2016, pp. 31–32)
77. Easy English: Feedback
“Remember that feedback is not just another word for per- 83. Intercultural
sonal criticism, which is not useful and should be avoided. Communication:
Instead, think of feedback as something that is either posi- Germany
tive or can help people develop.” “In group-oriented cultures,
(Mike Hogan, 4/2015, p. 48) such as in Asia, [Germans]
Sheryl Sandberg, should use ‘we’ and ‘us’
78. Toolbox: Being assertive Facebook’s chief rather than ‘I’ and ‘you’.”
“We have the right to be ourselves, the right to ask for what operating officer (Christina Röttgers,
we need, the right to choose and the right to make mistakes. (2/2017, p. 11) 4/2016, p. 44)
Being assertive means exercising those rights.”
(Ken Taylor, 5/2015, p. 36)
84. Easy English: Delegating
79. It’s Personal: New words “Delegate tasks that other people enjoy and are good at.
“As we welcome good additions to English, we should reject You won’t have to check up on them as much.”
the bad and the ugly, most of which come not from SMS lan- (Mike Hogan, 5/2016, p. 55)
guage but from the business world.”
(Elisabeth Ribbans, 6/2015, p. 24) 85. Personal Trainer: International video and
teleconferences
80. Short Story: The Devil in the details “One thing you could do is to go round the group and ask each
“…and so, ladies and gentleman, if you wish to stay rich, then person to express in three words what they think about the
make sure you always read the small print, because — as we issue being discussed.”
lawyers always say — the devil is in the details!” (Ken Taylor, 6/2016, p. 45)
(James Schofield, 1/2016, p. 64)
86. How to… attend a networking event alone
81. Executive Eye: Climbing the ladder “Prepare your elevator pitch … a short description of what you
“Find out who really holds power … and who will be most use- do and what you have to offer potential employers, contacts or
ful to you. Use moments such as riding in the lift or standing at business partners.”
Foto: picture-alliance/dpa/AP; Paul Hackett - WPA Pool/Getty Images

the coffee machine to introduce yourself.” (Margaret Davis, 1/2017, p. 72)

(Adrian Furnham, 2/2016, p. 77)
87 One Question: Women in tech
“Stop obsessing about the fact that we are women in tech.
assertive: be ~ [E(s§:tIv]   lawyer [(lO:jE]   rocket ship Concentrate on what we are doing and tell the world about it.”
, Durchsetzungs- , Jurist(in) [(rQkIt SIp]  
vermögen zeigen , Raumschiff (Emanuela Zaccone, 2/2017, p. 88)
obsess about sth.
check up on sb. [Eb(ses E)baUt]   sub-milestone
[)tSek (Vp Qn]   ,  sich zwanghaft mit [)sVb (maI&lstEUn]   88. Business Skills: Time management
,  jmdn. kontrollieren etw. beschäftigen , (untergeordnetes) “We are changing constantly at work, learning new skills and
Zwischenziel
elevator pitch rehearse sth. [ri(h§:s]   taking on new roles. So, your use of time should always be
[(elIveItE pItS]   ,  etw. proben, einüben workload adapting, too. … If you don’t control time, time will control you.”
, Kurzpräsentation; [(w§:klEUd]  
rise [raIz] UK  (Bob Dignen, 3/2017, p. 47)
hier: Kurzvorstellung , Arbeitspensum
, Gehaltserhöhung
(elevator US   , Fahrstuhl)

52  Business Spotlight 2/2019 BUSINESS ENGLISH

 SPECIAL: 100TH ISSUE

89. Word Watcher: Chinese wall 95. Intercultural Communication: Unconscious bias
“In business English, a ‘Chinese wall’ is an artificial barrier “Unconscious bias is part of being human. … We need to face
between two parts of an organization that are not meant to up to it and, in the context of decision-making, develop pro-
communicate with each other. The Chinese wall is intended cesses that reduce its potentially negative effects.”
to prevent conflicts of interest.” (Robert Gibson, 4/2018, p. 34)
(4/2017, p. 11)
96. Business Skills: Teamwork
90. Tricky Translations: “Manage” “…it is also essential to learn to isolate oneself at times, to
“‘Manage’ can mean ‘to direct or control a company, say no to collaboration and the additional work it represents,
business or department and the people involved in it’ to maintain a realistic workload and to focus on one’s own
(leiten, führen). … Manage can also mean ‘to succeed in doing priorities…”
something difficult, especially after you have tried very hard’ (Bob Dignen, 5/2018, p. 43)
(es schaffen). … Finally, ‘manage’ can mean ‘to succeed in han-
dling problems or living in a difficult situation’ (zurechtkom- 97. Executive Eye:
men, sich zurechtfinden).” “ It’s all to Moral managers
(Mike Seymour, 5/2017, p. 53)
do with the “To be moral means to
distinguish clearly between
91. Business Skills: Managing your boss
“Try to put yourself in your boss’s shoes. Can you see a posi-
training. right and wrong and to have
an ethically driven code of
tive interpretation of your boss’s actions? Think about ways You can do conduct. ... Moral managers
in which you can take responsibility for improving your
working relationship with your boss.”
a lot if you increase staff morale.”
(Adrian Furnham, 6/2018, p. 77)
(Bob Dignen, 6/2017, p. 29) are properly 98. Easy English:
92. Business Skills: Lying trained” Negotiating a pay rise
“So if you don’t want others to lie to you, you need to create a “Make it easy for your manag-
safe environment for them to express their truths.” er to say yes by offering solu-
(Bob Dignen, 1/2018, p. 45) tions and showing flexibility.
… If you are not able to get
93. Executive Eye: more money, what else would
Seven strategies for getting to the top satisfy you?”
“Become indispensable as quickly as possible. Having a skill (Mike Hogan, 7/2018, p. 51)
set that others need but don’t have is an excellent asset.” Queen Elizabeth II
(Adrian Furnham, 2/2018, p. 85) (6/2017, p. 17) 99. One Question:
Business storytelling
94. Language Learning: Expert advice “Business leaders need to spend more time watching films
“Do you have a favourite TV series or film on Netflix that is set and reading thrillers if they want to use stories to connect
in a business environment? Then watch it again, but this time, with customers.”
in English.” (Dr James McCabe, 1/2019, p. 86)
(Maja Sirola, 3/2018, p. 16)
100. And finally…
Put as many of the above tips as possible into practice over
the coming weeks.
➻
ANSWERS (see p.46)
1. Test: Improve your business English
asset [(Äset] , Vorteil environment put oneself in sb.’s shoes
A. chief financial officer = Leiter(in) der Finanzabteilung; Finanzvorstand [In(vaI&rEnmEnt]   [)pUt wVn)self In
bias [(baIEs]  
,  hier: Umfeld )sVmbEdIz (Su:z]  
B. m ergers and acquisitions = Fusionen und Übernahmen , Voreingenommenheit
,  sich in jmdn. hinein-
C. return on investment = Kapitalrendite face up to sth.
code of conduct versetzen
[)feIs (Vp tu]  
D. small and medium-sized enterprises [)kEUd Ev (kQndVkt]  
,  sich etw. stellen skill set
= kleine und mittlere/mittelständische Unternehmen , Verhaltenskodex
[(skIl set]  
E. initial public offering = Börsengang; öffentliches indispensable
collaboration , Fähigkeiten,
Erstzeichnungsangebot [)IndI(spensEb&l]  
[kE)lÄbE(reIS&n]   Kompetenzen
, unentbehrlich
, Zusammenarbeit

BUSINESS ENGLISH 2/2019 Business Spotlight 53 

 aq

ak
an ap
am
al
ao

V ar
at
W
U as
y
x
X
w

bt
v

LANGUAGE
VOCABULARY

An observatory 5. s lit [slIt] 

, Schlitz
10. space station
[(speIs )steIS&n] 
16. starry sky [)stA:ri (skaI] 
, Sternenhimmel
Illustrationen: Mike Ellis; Maria Gniloskurenko/Shutterstock.com

, Raumstation
6. r efracting telescope 17. (outer) space
Auf diesen Seiten präsentieren wir [ri(frÄktIN )telIskEUp], 11. Milky Way [()aUtE) (speIs],
nützliche Begriffe aus der Arbeitswelt. refractor [ri(frÄktE]  [)mIlki (weI]  universe [(ju:nIv§:s] 
, Linsenteleskop , Milchstraße ,  Weltall, Universum
Von HILDEGARD RUDOLPH  EASY
7. l ens [lenz]  12. shooting star 18. planet [(plÄnIt] 
, Linse [)Su:tIN (stA:]  , Planet
1. observatory 3. reflecting telescope
, Sternschnuppe
[Eb(z§:vEtri]  [ri(flektIN )telIskEUp], 8. t elescopic dome 19. (stellar) constellation
,  Sternwarte reflector [ri(flektE]  [telI)skQpIk (dEUm]  13. satellite [(sÄtElaIt]  [()stelE) )kQnstE(leIS&n] 
, Spiegelteleskop , Teleskopkuppel , Satellit , Sternbild
2. astronomer
[E(strQnEmE]  4. s cientist [(saIEntIst], 9. s pace shuttle 14. comet [(kQmIt]  20. parabolic mirror/reflector
, Astronom(in) researcher [ri(s§:tSE]  [(speIs )SVt&l]  , Komet [pÄrE)bQlIk
, Wissenschaftler(in), , Raumfähre (mIrE / ri(flektE] 
15. orbit [(O:bIt] 
Forscher(in) , Parabolspiegel
, Umlaufbahn

54  Business Spotlight 2/2019 LANGUAGE

 Exercise 2: Reaching for the stars
Other useful vocabulary
Verb phrases atmospheric turbulence moon phase [(mu:n feIz]  Unscramble the words in bold, all of which
adjust sth. [E(dZVst] 
[ÄtmEs)ferIk (t§:bjUlEns]  , Mondphase are listed on page 54.
, Luftunruhe
,  etw. einstellen, justieren new moon [)nju: (mu:n] 
Big Dipper [)bIg (dIpE], , Neumond Carlos is a tourist guide in Tenerife. One of
be in conjunction
Ursa Major [)§:sE (meIdZE] 
[)bi: In kEn(dZVNkS&n] 
,  Großer Wagen / Großer Bär
Pole Star [(pEUl )stA:], his favourite tours is a trip to the
,  in Konjunktion stehen North Star [)nO:T (stA:] 
(A) v a r s e b o r y t o on
celestial body , Polarstern
disappear at/on the horizon Mount Teide. The chief (B) s t r o n o a m e r
[sE)lestiEl (bQdi] 
[dIsE)pIE Ät/Qn DE shadow of the earth
hE(raIz&n] 
, Himmelskörper
[)SÄdEU Ev Di (§:T] 
is a friend of his, so he can
,  am Horizont verschwinden conjunction [kEn(dZVNkS&n]  , Erdschatten always arrange a special guided tour for his
, Konjunktion group.
explore sth. [Ik(splO:]  solar eclipse
,  etw. erforschen, erkunden crescent [(krez&nt]  [)sEUlEr I(klIps]  The huge telescopic (C) s o d m e
,  Mondsichel, Halbmond ,  Sonnenfinsternis
glow [glEU] , leuchten and the (D) a p r a l c b i o reflec-
fixed star [)fIkst (stA:]  star cluster [(stA: )klVstE]  tors can be seen from afar. (E) t i n g r a f r e c
observe sth. [Eb(z§:v] 
, Fixstern , Sternhaufen
,  etw. beobachten telescopes with (F) s e n l s e
full moon [)fUl (mu:n]  stargazer [(stA:geIzE]  and (G) r i n g t e f l e c
research sth. [ri(s§:tS] 
, Vollmond , Sterngucker(in)
,  etw. erforschen, erkunden telescopes with mirrors are used to observe
galaxy [(gÄlEksi]  waning moon
rise [raIz] , aufgehen
, Galaxis [)weInIN (mu:n] 
the stars.
set [set] , untergehen ,  abnehmender Mond On clear, starlit nights, the view of the
half moon [)hA:f (mu:n] 
shine [SaIn] , scheinen , Halbmond waxing moon (H) r y r s a t k y s is
[)wÄksIN (mu:n]  incredible. You can see the (I) k i l y m y w a
watch sth. [wQtS]  light pollution
,  zunehmender Mond
,  etw. beobachten [(laIt pE)lu:S&n]  very clearly.
, Störlicht Sometimes, a(n) (J) l a t e s t e l i
Noun phrases Little Dipper [)lIt&l (dIpE],
Adjectives passes along its (K) b o r i t or a(n)
Ursa Minor [)§:sE (maInE]  cloudy [klaUdi] , bewölkt
astrologer [E(strQlEdZE]  (L) c p a s e t l e t u s h
,  Kleiner Wagen / Kleiner Bär dull [dVl] , bedeckt
, Astrologe/Astrologin moves along the sky on its way to the ISS
lunar eclipse
astrology [E(strQlEdZi]  overcast [(EUvE)kA:st]  (M) s p e a c t a s o i t n .
[)lu:nEr I(klIps]  ,  bewölkt, (wolken)verhangen
, Astrologie
, Mondfinsternis Carlos tells everybody to look out for
astronomy [E(strQnEmi]  starry [(stA:ri], starlit (N) h o g o t i s n stars, which are
,  Astronomie, Sternkunde
meteorite [(mi:tiEraIt]  [(stA:lIt] ,  sternenklar, -hell
, Meteorit supposed to bring you luck. He also knows
most of the stellar (O) s t e i o n c o n l l a t s
, such as Cassiopeia. And he
Exercise 1: Which is it? can distinguish stars, such as the Pole Star,
from (P) t l a p n e s , such as Mars.
Choose the correct options without looking at the vocabulary list.

A. A telescope that uses lenses is a…

1. reflecting telescope. 2. refracting telescope.
B. People say that seeing a brings good luck.
1. shooting star 2. satellite
C. Mars is a…
1. planet. 2. comet.

1. Aries [(eEri:z] , Widder
The signs of the Zodiac 2. Taurus [(tO:rEs] , Stier
3. Gemini [(dZemInaI] , Zwillinge
The zodiac is an area of the sky that in- 4. Cancer [(kÄnsE] , Krebs
cludes the paths of the sun, moon and 5. Leo [(li:EU] , Löwe Answers
planets during the whole year. It consists 6. Virgo [(v§:gEU] , Jungfrau P. planets F. lenses
of 12 constellations, which correspond 7. Libra [(li:brE] , Waage
O. constellations E. Refracting
to the zodiac signs used in astrology. The
N. shooting D. parabolic
8. Scorpio [(skO:piEU] , Skorpion M. space station C. domes
word “zodiac”, meaning “circle of animals”, 9. Sagittarius [)sÄdZI(teEriEs] , Schütze L. space shuttle B. astronomer
derives from ancient Greek. In English, 10. Capricorn [(kÄprIkO:n] , Steinbock
K. orbit A. observatory
the names of the signs of the zodiac are of
J. satellite Exercise 2
11. Aquarius [E(kweEriEs] , Wassermann I. Milky Way
Latin origin. H. starry sky A–2; B–1; C–1
12. Pisces [(paIsi:z] , Fische G. reflecting Exercise 1

LANGUAGE 2/2019 Business Spotlight 55 

 LANGUAGE
EASY ENGLISH

Dealing with Olivia:  [interrupts] Hold on a second, Anna. It’s

apply to sth. [E(plaI tu] 
,  auf etw. zutreffen

interruptions
not our fault. We tried to… approach [E(prEUtS] 
Anna: [interrupts] I’ll just need two minutes to , Herangehensweise

explain what I found out, Olivia. I’ll be briefly [(bri:fli] 

, kurz
Unterbrechungen in einem Gespräch sind keine done in a moment. Then we can hear
what everyone thinks. fast-paced
Seltenheit. Wie Sie in einer solchen Situation [)fA:st (peIst] 
Olivia: Fine, but it’s not our fault…
auf Englisch agieren und reagieren, lesen Sie ,  temporeich, schnell
Anna: I’m not saying it is. Anyway, as I was ex-
auf diesen beiden Seiten. plaining, we found that the quality pro-
hold on a second
[)hEUld (Qn E )sekEnd] 
EASY  AUDIO  PLUS cesses are indeed being followed. It’s ,  etwa: Moment mal
just that they need to be updated. The keep up [)ki:p (Vp] 
project has changed since we designed , mithalten

it, and the quality processes need to look into sth.

apply to the new project approaches. [)lUk (Intu] 
,  sich mit etw. näher
Harry: Right. Over to you, Olivia. Tell us about befassen
this from the quality perspective.
overall [)EUvEr(O:l] 
Olivia: Anna may be right. The quality process- , allgemein
MIKE HOGAN es were designed with the initial project pick up [)pIk (Vp] 
is a co-author of Business English in mind. But as you know, the project ,  hier: Schritt halten
for Beginners A1 + A2 and Basis for
changed and the scope was extended. point [pOInt] 
Business B1 + B2 (Cornelsen).
Contact: hoganmike@gmail.com Now, we need to… ,  hier: Argument

Sven: [interrupts] Sorry, Olivia, do you mind if review sth. [ri(vju:] 

I interrupt briefly? ,  etw. überprüfen

C
Olivia: Sure. Go ahead, Sven. I imagine you scope [skEUp] 
, Umfang
onversations in international meetings are of- have something to say about this. But
ten fast-paced. This means it can be difficult to I’d like to come back to my overall point timeline [(taImlaIn] 
, Zeitrahmen
keep up or react in the right way when it is your afterwards.
turn to speak, especially if English is not your Sven: No problem, Olivia. Thanks. Harry, you update sth. [)Vp(deIt] 
,  etw. aktualisieren
first language. And when you do speak, you might remember that when the scope
up to scratch: be ~
may well be interrupted. It is therefore impor- of the project widened, we did ask if we [)Vp tE (skrÄtS] 
tant to have some strategies that you can use to deal needed to review any of these process- ,  den Anforderungen
with interruptions both politely and professionally. es. But the priority then was to move entsprechen
ahead with the project quickly.
Harry: Yes, that’s right. It was important to
Questions stick to the timeline despite the wid-
As you read the dialogue below, think about the an- ening of the project scope.
swers to these three questions: Sven: This meant that some key areas, such
as quality processes, weren’t updated.
1. How does Anna deal with Olivia’s interruption? And now we’re in a situation in which…
2. How does Olivia deal with Sven’s interruption? Chris:  [interrupts] Hold on, Sven. You can’t sim-
3. How does Harry deal with Chris’s interruption of ply use that excuse…
Sven? Harry: [interrupts] Sorry, Chris, please let Sven
finish. You can be next.
Sven: Thanks, Harry. So, we have this prob-
Dialogue lem that the quality processes didn’t AUDIO + PLUS
Harry: Thank you all for coming. As you know, pick up. As I see it, we have two things
You can try our
we’re facing a problem with our project to do now. First, we need to solve the exercises on this
and need to find a solution. Anna, can immediate problem. And secondly, we topic on Business
Spotlight Audio
you please tell us what you found out need to update the quality processes. as well as in our
when you looked into the problem? Harry: I agree. But before we decide what to exercise booklet,
Business Spotlight
Anna: Sure, Harry. I found out that the quality do, Chris, you wanted to say something, Plus. To order, go
processes are not up to scratch and that and Anna wanted to finish her point. to www.aboshop.
spotlight-verlag.de
we… OK. Chris, you first…

56  Business Spotlight 2/2019 LANGUAGE

 Useful phrases
for dealing with
interruptions

⋅⋅
A. Avoiding interruptions
I’ll just need two minutes to

⋅⋅
explain this point.
Let me tell you about this topic

⋅⋅
and then we can discuss it.
I can explain this in two

⋅⋅
sentences.
If you have any questions or
comments, I can address them
when I’ve finished this section
of my presentation.

⋅⋅⋅⋅
B. Not allowing an interruption
Sorry, I’m almost finished.

⋅⋅⋅⋅
Could I just finish this point?
I’ll be done in a moment.
I’m sorry, Olivia. I didn’t
interrupt you. Please let me

⋅⋅
finish.
Sorry, please let … finish.

⋅⋅⋅⋅
C. Allowing an interruption
Sure, Sven, go ahead.
But I’d like to come back to my

⋅⋅⋅⋅
Interrupting: overall point afterwards.
be professional
OK. I know you’ve been waiting.
Yes, I imagine you have
acknowledge sth. something to say about this
[Ek(nQlIdZ]  topic.
Answers Grammar ,  etw. anerkennen;
hier: zur Kenntnis nehmen
Using imperative
⋅⋅
Here are the answers to the D. Facilitating a meeting
assertive [E(s§:tIv] 
three questions we asked on verb forms , durchsetzungsfähig Sorry, Chris, please let Sven

⋅⋅
page 56: finish.
facilitate sth. [fE(sIlIteIt] 
We can use imperative verb ,  etw. moderieren Let’s allow Sven to finish his

⋅⋅⋅⋅
1. Anna signals that she wants forms to give instructions to hand over to sb. point.
to keep talking and will then others. This form is also often [)hÄnd (EUvE tu]  You can be next, Chris.
hand over to Olivia. (“I’ll just used when dealing with inter- ,  hier: das Wort an jmdn. Can we please try not to
weiterreichen
need two minutes to explain ruptions in meetings. Look at interrupt each other?
topic [(tQpIk] 
what I found out, Olivia. I’ll these examples from the dia-
,  Thema

⋅⋅⋅⋅
be done in a moment.”) logue:
2. Olivia hands over to Sven Hold on a second, Anna.
but says she’d like to contin- Tell us about this from a

⋅⋅⋅⋅
ue after Sven has finished quality perspective.
Help others who are less
his point. (“Sure. Go ahead, Go ahead, Sven. assertive by facilitating the
Sven. … But I’d like to come Hold on, Sven. discussion.
•
back to my overall point af- Limit the length of time that
Foto: PeopleImages/iStock.com

terwards.”) The imperative form is simply Acknowledge the interruption, participants are allowed to speak.
3. Harry facilitates the dis- the base form of the verb. then continue or hand over. This reduces the risk of being
• interrupted.
cussion and asks Chris to Use non-verbal communication to •
wait. (“Sorry, Chris, please prevent interruptions (for example, Always be polite and
eye contact or a raised finger). respectful and try to avoid
let Sven finish. You can be • interrupting others.
next.”)

LANGUAGE 2/2019 Business Spotlight 57 

 LANGUAGE
TRANSLATION Tricky translations
Hier finden Sie englische Wörter, How do you say How do you say (sich)
die man leicht verwechselt, und “supervisor” in German? anstellen in English?
englische und deutsche Wörter, In business, a “supervisor” is In firms, anstellen means “give
someone who oversees the somebody a job”. It is translat-
deren Übersetzung schwierig ist.

⋅⋅
work of others. In other words, ed as hire, appoint or employ:
MEDIUM it is another way of saying Die Firma möchte zwanzig
“boss”. It is translated as Vor- neue Mitarbeiter anstellen. —
gesetzte(r) or sometimes, in the “The company wants to

Don’t confuse...
MIKE SEYMOUR production and construction hire 20 new employees.”

⋅⋅
is an author,
sectors, as Aufseher(in):
trainer and
translator based “I need my supervisor’s ap- For electrical equipment,
imply, implicate in Bonn. Contact: proval before I can refund anstellen means “activate a
If you imply something, you suggest that www.mikeseymour. the money.” — Ich brauche switch”. It is translated as turn
com

⋅⋅
it is true without saying so directly (etw. die Genehmigung meines on or switch on:

⋅⋅
andeuten, implizieren): Vorgesetzten, bevor ich das Stellen Sie zuerst den roten
“In her email to the group, the boss Geld erstatten kann. Schalter an. — “First, turn on
implied that we should be willing to the red switch.”
work longer hours if needed.” — Note that German companies
In ihrer E-Mail an die Gruppe deutete die have a “supervisory board” Sich anstellen can mean “stand
Chefin an, dass wir bereit sein sollten, bei (Aufsichtsrat), which oversees and wait in a line”. It is trans-
Bedarf länger zu arbeiten. the activities of the manage- lated as queue (up), line up,
ment board. stand in a queue or stand in
On the other hand, if a fact or event im- line. “Queue” is used in British
plies something, it shows that it is likely In academia, a “supervisor” is English, whereas “line” is used

⋅⋅
to be true (etw. bedeuten, beinhalten, ein- the professor or senior lectur- in American English:

⋅⋅
schließen, mit sich bringen): er who oversees someone’s Die Fans stellten sich schon um
“The rise in the birth rate implies an doctoral thesis. We translate 4 Uhr an der Kasse an. — “The

⋅⋅
increase in the future demand for this as Doktorvater/-mutter: fans were already queuing
university places.” — Der Anstieg der Answers “My supervisor suggested at the box office at 4 a.m.”
Geburtenrate bringt eine Zunahme des künf- yesterday! some additions to my dis-
tigen Bedarfs an Studienplätzen mit sich. pretty stupidly sertation.” — Mein Doktor- The verb sich anstellen describes
B. You behaved vater hat ein paar Ergänzungen the way somebody behaves. It
If you implicate somebody in some- zu meiner Doktorarbeit vor- is translated as make a fuss or
meine Projekte.
Bericht über

⋅⋅
thing, you show or suggest that they have Woche einen geschlagen. behave stupidly:
been involved in a dishonest act or crime Stell dich nicht so an! Wir
wollte jede

⋅⋅
Vorgesetzte(r)
(jmdn. belasten): 2. A. Mein(e) Note: In US English, a “town hatten nur zehn Minuten
“The accountant implicated his boss in or county supervisor” is an Verspätung! — “Don’t make
implicated
C. implied;
the financial scandal.” — Der Buchhalter B. implicated elected official who manages such a fuss! We were only
belastete seinen Chef im Finanzskandal. 1. A. implying local government services. ten minutes late!”

1. Make your choice 2. How would you say that?

Complete these sentences with the correct form of Translate the following sentences.
“imply” or “implicate”.
A. My supervisor wanted a report each week on my
A. Are you that I’m not telling the projects.
truth?

B. She the minister in the scandal, so he

was forced to resign. B. Sie haben sich gestern ziemlich dumm angestellt!
C. The minister’s refusal to comment on the scandal
that he was in it!

58  Business Spotlight 2/2019 LANGUAGE

LANGUAGE by Hildegard Rudolph
CARDS

Grammar Business Spotlight 2/19 Grammar Business Spotlight 2/19

What is the singular form of the nouns in bold? What is the singular form of the nouns in bold?

1. “In recent excavations, the bases “The prices of spices are included
of three pyramids were exposed.” in the inflation indices.”
2. “Greek philosophers laid the
bases of schools of philosophy.”

Translation Business Spotlight 2/19 Translation Business Spotlight 2/19

Translate this sentence into English. Translate this sentence into German.

Mehr Arbeitsstunden bei gleichem “Operating this coffee maker

Gehalt? Das kann nicht dein Ernst is an art in itself.”
sein!

Word choice Business Spotlight 2/19 Word choice Business Spotlight 2/19

Which of the two options is correct? Which of the options is correct?

“We spent the night in tents “I don’t like the colour/paint
at an altitude / a height of 2,500 of the walls in the reception area.
metres.” I’d prefer a warmer shade.”

Business talk Business Spotlight 2/19 Business talk Business Spotlight 2/19

What does the speaker mean? What does the speaker mean?

“If you want to become the “When it became clear that the
company’s CEO, you have to project was a zero-sum game, the
give 110 per cent.” company decided to cancel it.”
LANGUAGE
CARDS

Grammar Business Spotlight 2/19 Grammar Business Spotlight 2/19

The singular form of spices is spice, and the singular The singular of the first plural noun bases is base, and the
of indices is index. There is also a regular plural form, singular of the second one is basis. Both words refer to the
indexes, though “indices” is more common in technical support of something, but “basis” has an abstract meaning.
contexts.
base (pl. bases [(beIsIz]) = Sockel, Fundament
spice (pl. spices) = Gewürz basis (pl. bases [(beIsi:z]) = Basis, Grundlage
index (pl. indices/indexes) = Index; Verzeichnis; Kennzahl

Translation Business Spotlight 2/19 Translation Business Spotlight 2/19

Das Bedienen dieser Kaffeemaschine ist eine Wissenschaft für sich. “More working hours for the same salary?
You can’t be serious! / You must be joking!”
Something that is an art in itself is difficult to do or deal
with. You can also say “a science in itself” or “a science in You can use either of these expressions to show that you
its own right”. think something is unbelievable or absurd.

Word choice Business Spotlight 2/19 Word choice Business Spotlight 2/19

“I don’t like the colour of the walls in the reception area. …” “We spent the night in tents at an altitude of 2,500 metres.”

Both words are translated as Farbe. However, black, white, Altitude refers to the position of something above sea
green, blue, red, etc. are colours. Paint is the liquid that you level, whereas height is used to indicate how tall someone
apply to surfaces to give them a particular colour. or something is.

colour = Farbe, Farbton altitude = Höhe(nlage)

paint = Farbe, Anstrich height = (Bau-)Höhe, Größe

Business talk Business Spotlight 2/19 Business talk Business Spotlight 2/19

This expression is taken from gambling. In a business Someone who gives 110 per cent does everything possible,
context, a zero-sum game is a deal whereby one partner’s going beyond the level of what is usually required.
gain is exactly the same as the other partner’s loss. It can
also be used in relation to projects or plans, to indicate that mehr als 100 Prozent geben
the gains will be equal to the losses.

Nullsummenspiel
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 LANGUAGE
GRAMMAR

Present simple and EXPLANATIONS ANNA HOCHSIEDER

is a Munich-based
Use the present simple… teacher of

present continuous ⋅⋅
1. For habits and routines, often with expressions English who writes
that refer to how frequently something happens: regularly in

⋅⋅
Business Spotlight.
My boss usually comes.
Contact:

⋅⋅
Wann Sie im Englischen das Präsens in der I come every year. a.hochsieder@
einfachen Form und wann in der Verlaufsform My boss always returns with business cards. googlemail.com

benötigen, erklärt ANNA HOCHSIEDER.

⋅⋅⋅⋅
2. For facts and general truths:
MEDIUM  AUDIO  PLUS Some of the talks are really inspiring.

⋅⋅⋅⋅
Is this your first time at the ICP? business card
They provide a great opportunity for networking. [(bIznEs kA:d] 

⋅⋅⋅⋅
, Visitenkarte
Ellen and Renée are attending a conference in So you’re from Boston?
London. During a coffee break, they strike up a I live in London. fringe events
[(frIndZ I)vents] 
conversation. We have an office in the City. , Rahmenprogramm

hold the fort

⋅⋅
Ellen: Is anyone sitting here? 3. For scheduled events in the future: [)hEUld DE (fO:t] 
Renée: No, it’s free. The next talk starts in five minutes. ,  die Stellung halten
Ellen: Thanks. What do you think of the con- relocate [)ri:lEU(keIt] 
ference? Use the present continuous… , umziehen

⋅⋅⋅⋅
Renée: Oh, I’m having a great time. Some of the 1. For actions happening now or soon: routine [)ru:(ti:n] 
talks are really inspiring. Is anyone sitting here? ,  [wg. Aussprache]

⋅⋅
Ellen: Is this your first time at the ICP? I’m having a great time. scheduled [(Sedju:ld] 
, anberaumt
Renée: Yes. My boss usually comes while I hold We’re thinking of relocating to Germany.
the fort in Boston. But he’s retiring next stack [stÄk] 
,  Haufen, Stapel

⋅⋅
year, so I’m taking on more and more of 2. For temporary and changing situations:
his duties. How about you? I’m taking on more and more of his duties. state verb
[(steIt )v§:b] 
Ellen: I come every year. Mainly for the fringe , Zustandsverb

⋅⋅
events, to be honest. They provide a 3. For fixed arrangements in the future: strike up a conversation
great opportunity for networking. He’s retiring next year. [)straIk Vp E
Renée: Yeah, I know. My boss always returns )kQnvE(seIS&n] 
,  ein Gespräch beginnen
with stacks of business cards. State verbs
Ellen: So you’re from Boston? State verbs (also called “stative verbs”) describe take sth. on [)teIk (Qn] 
,  etw. übernehmen
Renée: That’s right. And you? thoughts and opinions, feelings, senses, possession
what with...
Ellen: I live in London. We have an office in the and existence, but not actions. They are normally [(wQt wID] 

⋅⋅
City. But we’re thinking of relocating to used only in the simple form, not the continuous: ,  wegen ...
Germany, what with Brexit and all that. Yeah, I know.
We’d better head back to the auditorium.

⋅⋅⋅⋅
The next talk starts in five minutes. Other common state verbs include: AUDIO + PLUS
believe, think, understand
You can try our

⋅⋅⋅⋅
like, hate, prefer exercises on this
Exercise: Simple or continuous? see, hear, smell topic on Business
M Spotlight Audio
belong, have, be as well as in our
In each sentence, choose the correct option — in exercise booklet,
Business Spotlight
the present simple or the present continuous. Some verbs can describe a state (simple form only) as Plus. To order, go

⋅⋅
well as an action (continuous form possible): to www.aboshop.
spotlight-verlag.de
A. Translation software gets / is getting better What do you think of the conference? (= What’s

⋅⋅
all the time. your opinion?)
B. The sales team meets / is meeting at 10 a.m. We’re thinking of relocating to Germany.
on Mondays. (= We are considering the advantages and Answers

⋅⋅
C. Be quiet, will you? I think / ’m thinking. disadvantages.)
E. have
D. is working
D. Dan works / is working in London this week. We have an office in the City. (= The office is
Foto: Peter Weber

C. ’m thinking

⋅⋅
E. I don’t think the students have / are having located in the City.)
B. meets
A. is getting
any idea what you’re talking about. I’m having a great time. (= I’m enjoying what I continuous?
am doing right now.)
Exercise: Simple or

62  Business Spotlight 2/2019 LANGUAGE

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 LANGUAGE
ENGLISH ON THE MOVE

Boris bikes KEN TAYLOR

is a communication
consultant and
Ein Mietfahrrad ist eine gute Alternative, um im Großstadtverkehr author of 50 Ways
nicht stecken zu bleiben und pünktlich sein Ziel zu erreichen. In London to Improve Your
Business English
stehen Ihnen dazu die „Boris-Bikes“ zur Verfügung. (Summertown).
Contact:
MEDIUM  AUDIO  PLUS KTaylor868@aol.
com
London: on
your bikes!

ages: it takes ~ [(eIdZIz] 

“hire a cycle” and follow the instructions. ,  es dauert ewig
You’ll get a printout with a code you use to commute [kE(mju:t] 
release your bike. , pendeln

Dieter: How do you pay? cycle helmet

Jim: With a credit or debit card. Use your compa- [(saIk&l )helmIt] 
, Fahrradhelm
ny card — I do. You’ve then got ten minutes
cycle lane [(saIk&l leIn] 
to choose a bike.
,  Fahrradweg, -spur

debit card [(debIt kA:d] 

Cycling in the City , Geldkarte
Dieter: I’m a little bit nervous about cycling in such a
docking station
busy city. There are so many buses and lorries. [(dQkIN )steIS&n] 
Jim: You need to be careful. There have been , Andockstation
some nasty accidents. Generally, they hap- hairy [(heEri] ifml. 
Street congestion pen when cyclists pull up on the inside of , brenzlig

Dieter: Alison, can I ask your advice? a large vehicle turning left. The bus or lorry keep one’s wits about one
Alison: Sure. What is it? driver can’t see the cyclist and an accident [)ki:p wVnz (wIts E)baUt
wVn] 
Dieter: Our offices are in three locations in the City happens. ,  einen kühlen Kopf
and I have to get from one to the other. I’ve Dieter: But there are cycle lanes, aren’t there? bewahren
tried the Tube, but it takes ages and the bus- Jim: Lots of them. And there are even cycle su- lorry [(lQri] UK , Lkw
es are impossible. I’ve been here a month perhighways for people who commute mayor [meE] 
and I’ve been late to several meetings. from the suburbs by bike. I can show you , Bürgermeister(in)
Alison: Do you cycle? the routes I take, which avoid the heaviest nasty [(nA:sti] 
Dieter: Yes. Why? traffic — and which docking stations are ,  böse, übel

Alison: Well, Jim uses “Boris bikes” to get around. near each office. one-off basis: on a ~
He thinks they’re great. Dieter: That would be great. Do I need a cycle [)wVn (Qf )beIsIs] UK 
,  auf einmaliger Basis
Dieter: Boris bikes? helmet?
pose a threat
Alison: They’re the red bikes you can see in racks at Jim: Yes, you do. It’s required by law.
[)pEUz E (Tret] 
the side of the road. Anyone can hire them. ,  eine Gefahr darstellen
Talk to Jim about it. Reporting back pull up [)pUl (Vp] 
Jim: How did it go? , anhalten
Hiring a bike Dieter: It was fine. I got my bike with no problem rack [rÄk] , Gestell;
Jim: I use Boris bikes every day. I have an app on and took the route you suggested, avoiding hier: Fahrradständer
my phone that shows me my nearest dock- Fenchurch Street. release sth. [ri(li:s] 
ing station and the availability of bikes. As Jim: Any hairy moments? ,  hier: etw. entsperren
Fotos: Paolo Paradiso/iStock.com; Gert Krautbauer

you’re here for only three months, you can Dieter: Not really. I was very careful at traffic lights route [ru:t] 
,  [wg. Aussprache]
do it on a one-off basis. and I made eye contact with any driver who
Dieter: Why does everyone call them Boris bikes? looked like they might pose a threat. street congestion
[(stri:t kEn)dZestSEn] 
Jim: Because they were introduced when Boris Jim: How was the return journey? ,  Stau(s) auf den Straßen
Johnson was mayor of London. Officially, Dieter: Problem-free, too. You just have to keep your
suburb [(sVb§:b] 
they go by the name of the bank that spon- wits about you in the busy sections. ,  Vorort, Außenbezirk
sors them — “Santander cycles”. Jim: So, you’ll be “Boris biking” to work from now
Tube: the ~ [tju:b] UK
Dieter: So, how does it work if I want to hire one? on, I suppose. ifml. ,  Londoner U-Bahn
Jim: You just go to the terminal at a docking Dieter: I certainly will. And I’ll use the bikes to ex- vehicle [(vi:Ik&l] 
station and touch the screen. Choose plore London at the weekend, too. , Fahrzeug

64  Business Spotlight 2/2019 LANGUAGE

LANGUAGE
KEY WORDS
Listen and learn!
You can download an MP3 file of this

Vocabulary trainer Key Words list from our website:

www.business-spotlight.de/downloads

➳
Use our Key Words list to learn vocabulary from the A PDF of these key words as well as a
complete vocabulary list (English–
current Business Spotlight. The definitions will help you German) for each magazine is availa-
understand the words — and build your vocabulary. ble at www.business-spotlight.de/words

NOUNS AND NOUN PHRASES

bait food to attract a fish or animal so you can catch it Köder
cycle helmet a hard hat that you wear to protect your head when riding a bicycle Fahrradhelm
distraction something that takes your attention away from what you should be doing Ablenkung
lyrics the words of a song Songtext
professional indemnity insurance insurance taken out to cover you for damage caused while engaged in your job Berufshaftpflichtversicherung
remote worker a person who does not work at the employer’s premises but from another place, Mitarbeiter(in), der/die nicht vom Büro
often from home aus arbeitet
time tracking a system that records a person’s working hours Zeiterfassung
water cooler a device that dispenses fresh water Wasserspender

VERBS AND VERB PHRASES

diverge to differ (opinions, for example) (voneinander) abweichen
jeopardize sth. to pose a risk to something etw. gefährden
offset sth. to balance something with something else etw. ausgleichen
reminisce about sth. to think or talk about something (that you have happy memories of) in Erinnerungen an etw. schwelgen
source sth. to get something from somewhere etw. beschaffen
stow sth. to put something in a safe place in order to keep it there etw. verstauen
tune into sth. to get ready or prepare for a particular situation sich auf etw. einstellen

ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS

cherished appreciated and valued geschätzt
fervently with passion and enthusiasm leidenschaftlich
harshly in an unkind and rough manner barsch
incessant constant, endless unaufhörlich
intimidating frightening, making a person feel less confident einschüchternd, bedrohlich
mindfully in an attentive and thoughtful way aufmerksam
prospective expected and probable in the future voraussichtlich, künftig

IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS

be at a loss for words not to know what to say keine Worte finden
grab some grub ifml. to go and get something to eat sich etw. zu essen holen
hold the fort to maintain the functioning of something, particularly during someone’s absence die Stellung halten
it takes ages it takes a very long time es dauert ewig
keep one’s wits about one not to lose your nerves and be ready to act calmly in a difficult situation einen kühlen Kopf bewahren
make sb.’s day to do something that makes someone very happy jmdm. eine große Freude bereiten
take a stand to express and defend your opinion Stellung beziehen
turn a blind eye to sth. to ignore something that is not as it should be über etw. hinwegsehen

LANGUAGE 2/2019 Business Spotlight 65 

 TECHNOLOGY
ENGLISH 4.0

The original
Davos Man:
Klaus Schwab

The Davos revolution

Jedes Jahr Ende Januar treffen sich Persönlichkeiten aus Politik, Wirtschaft, Kultur und
Gesellschaft in Davos. Auf dem Weltwirtschaftsforum erörtern sie Themen, die die Menschen
weltweit bewegen, nicht selten mit dem Ziel, revolutionäre Veränderungen herbeizuführen.
MEDIUM  AUDIO

K
laus Schwab doesn’t look like “Klaus Schwab taking place today. In 2016, Klaus Schwab
a revolutionary. He certainly wrote a book titled The Fourth Industrial
doesn’t look like Che Guevara,
is a revolutionary in Revolution. In the introduction, he said:
who was a major figure in the his own way” “We are at the beginning of a revolution
Cuban revolution of the 1950s that is fundamentally changing the way
and whose face became an icon eastern Alps of Switzerland has created we live, work and relate to one another.
of revolution in popular culture. a new class of people known as “Davos In its scale, scope and complexity, what I
Schwab looks more like a man Man” and “Davos Woman”. They speak consider to be the Fourth Industrial Revo-
who was born in Ravensburg in 1938 English in all its global varieties and see lution is unlike anything humankind has
than the Guerrillero Heroico in Alberto themselves as totally international. They experienced before.” Now, Schwab is back
Korda’s famous photograph of Che. But don’t feel the need for any specific nation- with another book, Shaping the Future of
the 80-year-old is a revolutionary in his al identity and regard national borders as
own way. pointless. annual [(ÄnjuEl]  scale [skeI&l] 
In 1971, he founded the World Eco- In fact, Davos Man and Davos Woman , jährlich , Umfang
nomic Forum. The annual meeting at the believe national government is a thing of forerunner [(fO:)rVnE]  scope [skEUp] 
end of January in Davos brings together the past, something that’s unnecessary as , Wegbereiter(in) , Ausmaß

2,500 business leaders, politicians, econo- we move into a future of global coopera- found sth. [faUnd]  talkfest
mists, celebrities and media for four days tion. One can laugh at these people, and ,  etw. gründen [(tO:kfest] US ifml. 
,  Zusammenkunft für
to discuss the most important problems many do, or one can consider them to pointless [(pOIntlEs] 
Gespräche und Diskus-
, sinnlos
facing the world. The yearly talkfest in the be the forerunners of a revolution that’s sionen

66  Business Spotlight 2/2019 TECHNOLOGY

 the Fourth Industrial Revolution, co-written “Individuals will live in
with Nicholas Davis, an Australian lawyer.
Davis is very much a Davos Man. He lives
the future that technologies
in Geneva and, among other things, he’s help to create” EAMONN FITZGERALD
writes daily at www.eamonn.com.
described as “a strategy professional and
He uses social media to build
scenario expert”. Along with artificial intelligence, block- relationships for organizations.
“The good news is that the evolution chain, additive manufacturing, robotics, Contact: eamonn@eamonn.com
of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is en- geoengineering and neurotechnology,
tirely within our power, and we are still at Shaping the Future of the Fourth Industrial
its very earliest stages,” write Schwab and Revolution is filled with words like “exter- additive manufacturing geoengineering
[)ÄdEtIv [)dZi:EU)endZI(nIErIN] 
Davis. This optimistic statement is very nalities”, “inflection points” and “devel-
)mÄnju(fÄktSErIN]  , Geo-Engineering
different to the warnings of the trendy optory sandboxes”. The last in this list are ,  additive Fertigung, (großtechnische Eingriffe
historian Yuval Noah Harari, who fears a the places where new ideas are tested, by 3D-Druck in globale ökologische
Abläufe)
future in which computers will know us the way. developtory sandbox
better than we know ourselves. Will we This column was created in 2016 to [di)velEptO:ri inflection point
(sÄndbQks]  [In(flekS&n pOInt]  US
still be able to make our own choices? Or look at some of the ideas emerging from ,  hier etwa: Spielwiese für , Wendepunkt
will we be politically powerless and eco- the Industry 4.0 concept, which is at the Experimente
lawyer [(lO:jE] 
nomically helpless? heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. emerge , Anwalt/Anwältin
Harari is pessimistic, where Schwab And as part of the Business Spotlight mis- [i(m§:dZ] 
neurotechnology
,  entstehen, sich ergeben
and Davis are hopeful. In their words: “In- sion to make language easier to use, from [)njUErEUtek(nQlEdZi] 
dividuals are, ultimately, the people who now on, I’ll be looking here at key words externality , Neurotechnologie
[)ekst§:(nÄlEti]  (Einsatz elektronischer
will live in the future that technologies and phrases that we need when talking ,  Externalität, externer Hilfsmittel zur Vernetzung
help to create.” about the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Effekt von Computer und Gehirn)

KEY TERMS AND DEVELOPMENTS

AUTONOMOUS TIMELY INSURTECH

Machines that are intelligent enough to This is an offer that sounds hard to refuse: Here’s another hot word: “insurtech”. It
make decisions when faced with new “Move to Norway. Free healthcare, free refers to the technology that’s designed
or unexpected situations are known as public education, stunning nature and to make the insurance industry more
“autonomous”. “Autonomous” or “auto­ a fluent English-speaking population. efficient. German insurtech start-up
mated”? The words are easily confused. You’ll love it. And did we mention it’s omni:us raised $22.5 million (about €19.8
Here’s the difference: autonomous ma- been named the happiest place on earth million) in a funding round late last year
chines can learn from experience as they on several occasions?” The offer comes and it plans to use the money to expand
deal with new problems. Automated from Memory, an Oslo start-up that is into the US. The omni:us platform for au-
machines, on the other hand, are com- developing AI-powered time-tracking tomatic claim processing and quotation
puter-controlled and can perform a set and time-management solutions. Its first process optimization is already used by
of specific tasks by following precise in- product, Timely, is currently being used big insurance companies, including Al-
structions with minimal or no human by more than 4,000 paying customers lianz, Baloise and AmTrust. The system
help. The meanings of the two words tend across 160 countries. The tool automat- automatically categorizes incoming doc-
to get mixed up when people talk about ically tracks the user’s computer, loca- uments, improving insurance companies’
Foto: LAURENT GILLIERON/KEYSTONE/dpa Picture-Alliance

autonomous self-driving vehicles (SDVs) tion, mobile calls and calendar events, internal processes. “We know the insur-
and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). and then suggests the best times for ance industry will move from process to
Each system operates with fundamen- getting things done. Memory is hiring. data-driven over the coming years,” Sofie
tally different technology, however, from www.memory.ai Quidenus-Wahlforss, founder of omni:us,
navigation software to on-board sensors. told Tech.eu. www.omnius.com

AI (artificial intelligence) fluent healthcare quotation stunning track sth. [trÄk] 

[)eI (aI] ,  KI (künstliche [(flu:Ent]  [(helTkeE]  [kwEU(teIS&n]  [(stVnIN]  ,  etw. verfolgen;
Intelligenz) , fließend ,  medizinische Versorgung , Angebot , atemberaubend hier: erfassen
claim processing funding round insurance industry raise (a sum of money) time tracking vehicle
[(kleIm )prEUsesIN]  [(fVndIN raUnd]  [In(SUErEns )IndEstri]  [reIz] ,  (eine Geld- [(taIm )trÄkIN]  [(vi:Ik&l] 
, Schadenbearbeitung , Finanzierungsrunde , Versicherungsbranche summe) aufbringen , Zeiterfassung , Fahrzeug

TECHNOLOGY 2/2019 Business Spotlight 67 

 CAREERS & MANAGEMENT
COACHING

THE BUSINESS OF COACHING

68  Business Spotlight 2/2019 CAREERS & MANAGEMENT
 Coaching galt lange Zeit als Modeerscheinung,
Coaching: helping ist aber inzwischen als Beratungsmethode anerkannt.
hands at work
STEVE FLINDERS erklärt, was Coaching ist und wie es
funktioniert, in welchen Situationen sich Menschen an einen
Coach wenden und was einen guten Coach ausmacht.
MEDIUM

C
oaching has been around long enough around: be ~
not to be just a fashion any more. John [E(raUnd] 
,  hier: geben, existieren
Whitmore’s classic book Coaching for
Performance (see “For more information”, challenge [(tSÄlIndZ] 
, Herausforderung,
p. 75) was first published in 1992, and Schwierigkeit
the International Coach Federation was
coachee [)kEU(tSi:]  
founded in 1995. Yet most people are , Coaching-Klient(in)
still unclear about what exactly coach- cope with sth.
ing is. [(kEUp wID] 
In talking about the essence of coach- ,  mit etw. zurecht-
kommen
ing, Whitmore quotes W. Timothy
critical [(krItIk&l] 
Gallwey, the author of The Inner Game of
, entscheidend
Tennis: “Coaching is unlocking people’s potential to
face sth. [feIs] 
maximize their own performance.” ,  etw. gegenüberstehen

federation
1. How does coaching work? [)fedE(reIS&n] 
Coaching is driven by the principle that the person , Verband
best qualified to deal with the issues and problems found sth. [faUnd] 
that you face in your professional or personal life is ,  etw. gründen

you. Coaches don’t tell you what to do. Instead, they intimidating
[In(tImIdeItIN] 
hold up a mirror to help you see into yourself and
, einschüchternd;
find the answers to your challenges. hier: bedrohlich
The following are typical concerns that coaches issue [(ISu:] , Frage

⋅⋅⋅⋅
hear about:
outcome-oriented
“My boss is so difficult to work with.” [(aUtkVm )O:rientId] 

⋅⋅⋅⋅
“I have too much work.” , ergebnisorientiert
“I’m having problems coping with the stress.” put sth. off [)pUt (Qf] 

⋅⋅⋅⋅
“I don’t see how I’m going to meet this deadline.” ,  etw. aufschieben

“It’s very important, but I keep putting it off.” quote sb. [kwEUt] 

⋅⋅⋅⋅
“I don’t have enough time for my family.” ,  jmdn. zitieren

“I need to move on but I don’t know how to.” scared: be ~ [skeEd] 

,  Angst haben
“I have a critical decision to make for the
Illustration: JDawnInk/iStock.com

company and I can’t decide which of the options unlock sth. [)Vn(lQk] 
,  hier: etw. freisetzen

⋅⋅
is the best one.”
“I’m coming up to retirement and I’m scared.”

Coaching is outcome-oriented. The first job for the

coach is to help the coachee to define the problem.
If it’s a big, intimidating problem, the coach can help

CAREERS & MANAGEMENT 2/2019 Business Spotlight 69 

 the coachee, session by session, to break it into a se-
ries of smaller steps, each with an action attached
⋅⋅Coaching is not the same as mentoring and the
processes are very different. Coaching focuses
approach [E(prEUtS] 
, Herangehensweise,
Methode
for the coachee to take. The coachee’s sense of em- more on short-term problem-solving, and is
assertive [E(s§:tIv] 
powerment develops as he starts to see the progress more action-oriented. Mentoring puts a longer- ,  selbstbewusst, energisch
he’s making and to see how the problem is becoming term focus on your professional and career
attached [E(tÄtSt] 
manageable. development. ,  hier: vorgegeben
If an outcome for a particular session is hard to de-
breathing pattern
fine, coach and coachee may agree on the identifica- 3. Key coaching skills [(bri:DIN )pÄt&n] 
tion of an insight or reflection rather than an action. There are four key coaching skills, all of which need ,  Atemmuster, Atmung

Developing self-understanding is often a necessary to be mastered: counselling [(kaUnsElIN] 

premise on the road to identifying practical solu- a) Listening. Good coaches focus completely on , Beratung

tions. what the coachee says. As Nancy Kline explains in counsellor [(kaUnsElE] 
, (psychologische(r))
her book Time to Think (see “For more information”,
Berater(in)
2. What coaching is not p. 75), the coach gives the coachee time to think
duration [dju&(reIS&n] 
There are number of common misconceptions about and reflect. Coaches encourage the toleration of si- , Dauer

⋅⋅
coaching: lence and wait mindfully for answers. Coaches also
empowerment
Coaching is not the same as sports “WAIT” in another way: they ask them- [Im(paUEmEnt] , Stärke
coaching. Some sports coaches may “Coaching selves, “Why Am I Talking?” As a rough frame sth. [freIm] 
use the kind of coaching approach guide, coaches spend 20 per cent of the
described in this article, but most sports
is unlocking time talking, leaving the other 80 per cent
,  etw. formulieren

insight [(InsaIt] 
coaching is instructional and therefore people’s for coachees. A serious challenge for be- , Erkenntnis
very different from business or life potential to ginner coaches is learning to keep quiet. master sth. [(mA:stE] 
,  etw. beherrschen
coaching, which is about asking, not maximize Coaches not only listen carefully to the

⋅⋅
telling. kind of language the coachee uses, but mindfully [(maIndf&li] 
Coaching is not advising. It is not the
their own they also tune into the facial expressions,
, aufmerksam

coach’s job to give advice. If, on a rare performance” eye contact and body language of the coa-
misconception
[)mIskEn(sepS&n] 
occasion, a coach feels that some advice chee. I once observed a coach who had ,  falsche Annahme, Irrtum
could unblock a conversation, she needs to ask the trained as a singer: her sensitivity to the breathing overstep sth. [)EUvE(step] 
coachee’s permission to do so and signal that, for patterns of the coachee gave her important insights ,  etw. überschreiten
the duration of the advice, she will be wearing a that others missed. perceive sth. [pE(si:v] 

⋅⋅
different hat. b) Questioning. Great coaches have the skill and em- ,  etw. wahrnehmen

Coaching is not counselling or psychotherapy. pathy to ask great questions. Every coach can tell you perceptive [pE(septIv] 
Coaches help people find solutions to their pro- a story about how a single, simple question helped ,  einfühlsam, scharfsinnig

fessional or life challenges. If the problem re- someone overcome a difficulty, see a way forward, premise [(premIs] 
, Prämisse
lates to a more deeply rooted, habitual, damaging get through a fog of uncertainty or achieve a break-
behaviour that the coach is not professional- through. I often ask coachees two simple questions: reveal sth. [ri(vi:&l] 
,  etw. offenlegen
ly qualified to deal with, she needs to make it “What do you really want to do?” and “What’s stop-
clear that the client must seek professional help ping you?” rooted [(ru:tId] 
, verwurzelt
of another kind. Sometimes, it is hard to see a c) Challenging. Good coaches are assertive and cou-
rough guide: as a ~
dividing line, but it is nevertheless important that rageous as well as perceptive. They are not afraid [)rVf (gaId] 
the coach does not overstep it. Coaches who are to ask the difficult question that the coachee, and ,  als Faustregel
also trained counsellors have the benefit of being maybe the people around him, has been avoiding. sensitivity [)sensE(tIvEti] 
able to move into these grey areas. Other coaches If the coachee is stuck, the coach may feel she needs , Einfühlung(svermögen)

⋅⋅
should hold back. to make a challenging statement rather than ask an- short-term [)SO:t (t§:m] 
Coaching is not the same as giving feedback, other question. If so, it is important for the coach to , kurzfristig

although both relate to improving performance. frame this by saying something like: “I want to chal- step back [)step (bÄk] 
,  hier: innehalten,
When you give feedback to someone, you make lenge you on this. Will you accept my challenge?” The
Abstand gewinnen
suggestions about how they could do better next coach must get the coachee’s permission.
tune into sth.
time. In general, coaches help identify options; d) Encouraging. Coaches use positive language, [)tju:n (Intu] 
they don’t suggest actions. On the other hand, and praise progress: they often see more clearly than ,  sich auf etw. einstellen
Illustration: JDawnInk/iStock.com

“systems coaches” (see the section “Different kinds the coachee how much progress he is making. This unblock sth. [)Vn(blQk] 
of coaching”) are trained to “reveal the emotional also helps coachees to think more positively about ,  hier: etw. (wieder) in
Gang bringen
field of a system to itself”, and individuals as well the challenges facing them. Coaching encourages
as teams and organizations are seen as systems. self-understanding. The coaching process helps the wear a different hat
[)weEr E )dIfrEnt (hÄt] 
Systems coaches give feedback on the emotional coachee to develop the capacity to step back and re- ,  hier: eine andere Rolle
“climate” that they perceive in coachees. flect on the issues facing him. einnehmen

70  Business Spotlight 2/2019 CAREERS & MANAGEMENT

Coaching in the community
York is a historic city in the north of England with city council
a population of around 200,000. Coaching York [)sIti (kaUns&l] 
, Stadtrat
was formed six years ago, initially to provide lo-
commit to sth.
cal coaches with an opportunity to network and
[kE(mIt tu] 
exchange ideas about good practice. What none ,  sich zu etw.
of the founders foresaw was how ambitious the verpflichten
organization would become: its aim now is to founder
be the coaching capital of the UK. Nor did the [(faUndE] 
, Gründer(in)
founders foresee how strong the organization’s
harness sth.
community role would become. The city council
[(hA:nIs] 
quickly saw the potential of harnessing coaching ,  sich etw. zunutze
skills to support groups such as the young and the machen
unemployed. Coaching York members commit to
giving a certain number of free hours each year to
community coaching. The group also organizes an
impressive programme of events across the city
each year during International Coaching Week. On the way up:
coaching can help
www.coachingyork.co.uk you to take the
right decisions

2/2019 Business Spotlight 71 

 How good are you at each of these skills? As a man- 5. Different kinds of coaching assessment [E(sesmEnt] 
, Einschätzung
ager, colleague, teacher, friend or relative, you may There are many different types of coaching. Here are
already be exercising some of the typical coaching short descriptions of some of the most important contract [kQn(trÄkt] 
,  sich verpflichten

⋅⋅
skills without realizing it. Ask a colleague or friend ones:
who you trust to give you their honest assessment Self-coaching. The coaching ideal is to get to the corporate [(kO:pErEt] 
, Unternehmens-
of your skills. point where the coachee is coaching himself. Not
executive [Ig(zekjUtIv] 
many of us get there, but coaching can help us
, Führungskraft
4. A model for coaching to improve our ability to define and manage our
goal [gEUl] 

⋅⋅
What happens during a typical coaching session? goals. Do it yourself if you have the self-discipline. , Ziel(setzung)
Perhaps the best-known model for the steps is Co-coaching. Friends or colleagues coaching each
obstacle [(QbstEk&l] 

⋅⋅
“GROW”, which is associated with John Whitmore. other. ,  Hindernis, Hürde
There are different interpretations, but the basic Peer coaching. Coaching a colleague at (more or peer [pIE] 

⋅⋅
GROW model is as below: less) the same level in an organization. , Kollege/Kollegin
Team coaching. A group coaching one of its review (sth.) [ri(vju:] 
GOALS: defining where the members. (A team coach can also be someone who ,  Rückblick, Überprüfung;
etw. überprüfen

⋅⋅
coachee wants to be coaches each member of a team individually.)
↓ Business coaching. Coaching someone in a work senior [(si:niE] 
,  hier: in leitender Stellung

⋅⋅⋅⋅
REALITY: defining where the context.
coachee is at the moment Executive coaching. Coaching a senior manager. summarize sth.
[(sVmEraIz] 
↓ Systems coaching. Focusing on systems and ,  etw. zusammenfassen

⋅⋅
OBSTACLES: defining what relationships within an organization.
undertake sth.
is getting in the way Life coaching. Supporting someone to set goals [)VndE(teIk] 
or and deal with challenges in their personal life. ,  etw. ausführen

OPTIONS: defining different ways

of moving from reality to goal(s)
↓
WAY FORWARD: choosing one option Questions for coaching
and defining action steps towards the goal

⋅⋅ ⋅⋅
Defining the problem Agreeing the actions
Another model that I feel comfortable with is based What would you like to talk What steps are you going to

⋅⋅ ⋅⋅
on Corporate Coach U’s Coaching Clinic and looks about today? take now?
like this: How can we best make use What milestones can you put

⋅⋅ ⋅⋅⋅⋅
of our time today? in place?
1. Define the problem What do you want to Are these actions realistic?

⋅⋅
↓ change? When will you get this done
2. Explore the options What outcome would you by?

⋅⋅
↓ like to achieve?

⋅⋅⋅⋅
3. Agree the actions Which of these challenges Identifying the obstacles
↓ shall we focus on today? What’s going to stop you?

⋅⋅
4. Identify the obstacles What’s holding you back?

⋅⋅
↓ Exploring the options Are there any obstacles to

⋅⋅
5. Summarize (the summary How could you deal with your doing this?
is made by the coachee) this if you had unlimited Is there anyone/anything

⋅⋅
resources? standing in your way?
The strength of this version is that it builds in clear What would success look

⋅⋅ ⋅⋅
recognition of the fact that the critical part of a coach- like? Summarizing
ing discussion may be deciding how to deal with ob- What have you already Please, will you summarize

⋅⋅ ⋅⋅
stacles to action, even more so than deciding on the tried? what you’re going to do?
action itself. What would you change if What will you do by our next
After the first session, the other important part at you could start again? meeting?
the start of any coaching discussion is the review. The
coachee will have contracted to undertake actions challenge [(tSÄlIndZ]  obstacle resources [ri(zO:sIz] 
, Herausforderung, [(QbstEk&l]  , Mittel
within a specific time limit and he knows that his Schwierigkeit ,  Hindernis, Hürde
coach will ask him to review these actions. For some summarize (sth.)
milestone [(maI&lstEUn]  outcome [(aUtkVm]  [(sVmEraIz] 
of the typical coaching questions, see the box on the ,  Meilenstein, Zwischenziel , Ergebnis ,  (etw.) zusammenfassen
right

72  Business Spotlight 2/2019 CAREERS & MANAGEMENT

 A key part of
coaching may
be deciding
how to deal
with obstacles

Partnership:
good coaching
demands trust

⋅⋅Transition coaching. Coaching someone moving Some companies offer training programmes for added value

⋅⋅
[)ÄdId (vÄlju:] 
into retirement or semi-retirement. line managers to integrate more of a coaching ap-
,  zusätzlicher Nutzen,
Speed coaching. Most coaching sessions last 30 to proach into the way they manage. This can have a Mehrwert
60 minutes but short sessions of 10 or 15 minutes positive effect on working relationships, but it can appraisal [E(preIz&l] 
can sometimes produce impressive results, too. also raise questions about whether your boss is the , Beurteilung(en)
best person to be your coach. Organizations that association [E)sEUsi(eIS&n] 
6. Coaching in organizations have created a coaching culture are usually enthu- ,  Verband, Vereinigung
Organizations employ both internal and external siastic about the benefits — both in terms of better body [(bQdi] 
coaches for a variety of reasons, including the de- working relationships and improved performance. ,  hier: Einrichtung

sire to manage change, optimize performance and diverge [daI(v§:dZ] 

,  (voneinander) abweichen
improve the quality of management and leadership. 7. Choosing a professional coach
in terms of [In (t§:mz Qv] 
Coaching can be used in the contexts of team build- We all have the potential to coach but professional
,  im Hinblick auf
ing, appraisal, planning, motivating staff and achiev- coaches offer added value. Here is your checklist for
keep in touch with sth.

⋅⋅
ing major cultural change. what to look for in a professional coach: [)ki:p In (tVtS wID] 
Some coaches have no problem with working Training and qualifications. No one should ,  sich über etw. auf dem
within the three-way relationship of coach, coa- call themselves a professional coach without a Laufenden halten

chee (employee) and sponsor (organization). For qualification provided by a reputable and line manager
Illustration: JDawnInk/iStock.com

[(laIn )mÄnIdZE]  UK
others, this can be a dilemma: what if the interests of recognized body (see “For more information”, ,  direkte(r) Vorgesetzte(r)

⋅⋅
the coachee and the organization start to diverge? p. 75). You should also ask for references.
raise a question
Some coaches prefer to avoid this scenario and Professional membership. Choose a coach who [)reIz E (kwestSEn] 
work with individuals rather than organizations. keeps in touch with professional developments ,  eine Frage aufwerfen
Others rely entirely on corporate work for their through membership of one of the major coaching transition [trÄn(zIS&n] 
income. associations. ,  Übergang, Wandel

CAREERS & MANAGEMENT 2/2019 Business Spotlight 73 

 INTERVIEW

“We know that each brain is unique”

Coaching-Methoden werden inzwischen auch erfolgreich zum Erlernen einer Fremdsprache
eingesetzt. Lesen Sie hier, was es damit auf sich hat.

RACHEL PALING has been And what exactly is neurolanguage coaching?

teaching languages for over
Many language trainers already intuitively deliver in a coach-
30 years and currently trains
teachers worldwide in “neuro- ing style, but with little awareness of how brain-friendly or
language coaching”, as well cost-effective the process is. They may be falling short on
as coaching private executive coaching competences like active listening, asking power-
clients. She is an ICF ACC
Coach, and has trained as
ful questions, creating coaching presence and really tailor-
a brain-based coach. She making the learning, based entirely on the client’s needs.
is also a non-practising Ultimately, the client should be setting quantifiable goals
UK lawyer. She speaks five
with actions within a given time period to achieve these, and
lan­
guages and is currently
learning her sixth. they must “own the process” with periodic measurements
of progress.
Neurolanguage coaching ensures that all of this takes place
Coaching has also entered the world of language teaching. and adds the practical incorporation of neuroscientific prin-
Some trainers have rebranded themselves as language coach- ciples into the learning process wherever possible. We know
es, while others talk about using a “coaching style of teach- that each brain is unique, so we co-create the process with the
ing”. We spoke to Rachel Paling, founder of Efficient Lan- client, so that both together discover the most efficient way
guage Coaching (https://www.efficientlanguagecoaching.com), for that person to learn, with great emphasis on learner auton-
whose company provides accreditation in language coaching. omy. We coach around language blocks, negative mindsets
and confidence issues relating to language. And whenever
How did you come to language coaching? possible, we explain what is happening to the brain at any giv-
I began teaching adults in Spain at 17. In 2003, I qualified en time to bring more metacognition and self-awareness to
as a UK lawyer and spent more than ten years as a business the learner. A neurolanguage coaching engagement divides
English trainer specializing in legal English. It was then the learning goals into mechanical goals relating to grammar,
that I began my personal journey towards becoming a life structure and pronunciation, and “mastery” goals relating to
coach and brain-based coach, and crystallized the concept of the functional use and application of the language — and it
“neurolanguage (NL) coaching”. strives for constant optimization of the learning process.

What is the definition of language coaching? What evidence is there that clients learn in a more efficient
There is still no clear definition of language coaching, but way using this approach?
trained language coaches do have a different approach — NL coaches worldwide are having amazing breakthroughs:
that of assisting the “learning, improving, developing” in a one client advanced from English A2 to B2 in two months.
language using principles, models, tools and structures from Another achieved in three months what would normally
professional coaching, and a predominantly coaching style. have taken more than a year. We are currently working with
The language coach does not advise or tell the learner what Dimitris Zeppos, an academic researcher in Athens, who is
to do. Nor does she act as a therapist, life coach or consultant. studying the impact of this approach.

amazing emphasis [(emfEsIs]  fall short on sth. incorporation own sth. [EUn]  researcher [ri(s§:tSE] 
[E(meIzIN]  ifml. ,  Betonung, Gewichtung [)fO:l (SO:t Qn]  [In)kO:pE(reIS&n]  ,  hier: etw. selbst , Forscher(in)
Fotos: privat; Illustration: JDawnInk/iStock.com

, erstaunlich ,  etw. nicht ganz , Integration in die Hand nehmen

engagement strive for sth.
erfüllen
approach [E(prEUtS]  [In(geIdZmEnt]  issue [(ISu:] , Problem predominantly [(straIv fO:] 
, Herangehensweise, ,  hier: Betätigung founder [(faUndE]  [pri(dQmInEntli]  ,  etw. anstreben
lawyer [(lO:jE] 
Methode , Gründer(in) , überwiegend
ensure sth. [In(SO:]  , Anwalt/Anwältin tailor-make sth.
block [blQk]  ,  etw. sicherstellen goal [gEUl]  rebrand oneself [)teIlE (meIk] 
mastery [(mA:stEri] 
,  hier: Blockade , Ziel(setzung) [)ri:(brÄnd wVn)self]  ,  etw. individuell
evidence [(evIdEns]  , Beherrschung,
,  sich ein neues Image konzeptionieren
consultant , Beleg(e) impact Können
geben; hier: sich um-
[kEn(sVltEnt]  [(ImpÄkt]  unique [ju(ni:k] 
executive [Ig(zekjUtIv]  mindset [(maIndset]  benennen
, Berater(in) , Auswirkung(en) , einzigartig
, Führungskraft , Einstellung

74  Business Spotlight 2/2019 CAREERS & MANAGEMENT

⋅⋅The coaching contract. If you start working with
a professional coach, you will probably have an
code of ethics Coaching has
the power
[)kEUd Ev (eTIks] 
, Verhaltenskodex
initial session before the coaching starts, during
which the coach explains the coaching process, draw sth. up [)drO: (Vp]  to unlock
and finds out why you want to be coached. You
,  etw. erstellen
and unblock
evangelist [I(vÄndZElIst] 
then agree together on the scope of the coaching,
, (Massen-)Prediger(in); potential
the number and length of sessions, and the fees, hier: begeisterte(r)
so that the coach can draw up a contract for you Anhänger(in)
both to sign before you start. Each individual fervently [(f§:v&ntli] 
session can also be seen in terms of a contract , leidenschaftlich

to achieve a certain outcome. “The difference impact [(ImpÄkt]  

,  Wirkung, Effekt
between a good and a great coaching session is
in the contract,” says Bernadette Cass of Heworth professional indemnity
insurance

⋅⋅
Associates (www.heworthassociates.co.uk). [prE)feS&nEl In(demnEti
Code of ethics. The major coaching organizations In)SUErEns] 
all have a code of ethics. The Association for , Berufshaftpflicht-
versicherung
Coaching and the European Mentoring & Coach-
prospective
ing Council have agreed on a Global Code of
[prE(spektIv] 
Ethics that coaches and organizations can sign up ,  voraussichtlich, künftig

⋅⋅
to. Ask your prospective coach if she has done this. scope [skEUp] 
Supervision. Good coaches have a supervisor for , Umfang
the regular monitoring of performance. Ask about testify to sth.

⋅⋅
this, too. [(testIfaI tu] 
,  etw. bezeugen
Professional indemnity insurance. Professional
coaches should have this protection. Check that topic [(tQpIk] 
, Thema
yours does.
triad [(traIÄd] 
, Dreiergruppe
8. Over to you
If you don’t have any experience of coaching, but
are interested in the topic, why not try it out? Find a
friend or colleague who you can co-coach: you coach ➻
her and she coaches you, maybe for 15 or 20 minutes FOR MORE INFORMATION
each to begin with. Then give each other feedback. If BOOKS
there are three of you, you can form a triad and rotate The Art of Coaching: Effective
Strategies for School
roles, with one of you acting as an observer each time. Transformation, Elena Aguilar
If you find you enjoy coaching and want to take it (Jossey-Bass)
further and add value to your professional role, you A–Z of Coaching (photocopiable
coaching materials for trainers to
could decide to get a professional qualification. You use in business English classrooms),
can contact any of the organizations listed in the “For Michelle Hunter, Ben Dobbs
more information” box on this page. You should also (Academic Study Kit)
Coaching for Performance: GROWing
get advice from several qualified coaches. Human Potential and Purpose,
Coaching creates evangelists, people who believe John Whitmore (Nicholas Brealey
fervently in the power of coaching to unblock and Publishing)
unlock potential. I’m one of them. Some coaches Co-Active Coaching: Changing
Business, Transforming Lives, Henry
STEVE FLINDERS
see coaching as an essentially subversive activity Kimsey-House, Karen Kimsey-House,
Phillip Sandahl, Laura Whitworth is a freelance writer,
because it challenges the status quo in individuals, trainer and coach based in
(Nicholas Brealey Publishing)
in organizations and in the wider society. I’m one of Malta. He writes regularly
Time to Think: Listening to Ignite
those, too. the Human Mind, about business communica-
tion and provides training
In her book The Art of Coaching, Elena Aguilar says Nancy Kline (Cassell)
in English language, inter-
that “coaching ... brings out the best in people”. In fact, ORGANIZATIONS national communication and
coaching can be transformational for both coach and Association for Coaching: leadership skills. He has an
www.associationforcoaching.com Institute of Leadership and
coachee. All coaches gain enormous satisfaction from
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Management Level 7 Diploma
supporting people on their journey towards greater Development: www.cipd.co.uk in executive coaching and
confidence, self-understanding and autonomy in European Mentoring & Coaching mentoring. He would like to
their lives. And coachees testify to the sometimes Council: www.emccouncil.org acknowledge input on this
International Coaching Federation: article from the profes-
life-changing impact of a coach’s single powerful
www.coachfederation.org sional coaches Terry Morden
question. Institute of Leadership & in York and Vanni Landi in
Why not try coaching for yourself and see? Management: www.i-l-m.com Munich.

CAREERS & MANAGEMENT 2/2019 Business Spotlight 75 

 CAREERS & MANAGEMENT
HOW TO...

Work
effectively
from home
Arbeiten fernab vom Büro verlangt
Disziplin. MARGARET DAVIS
gibt Ihnen Tipps, wie Sie mit
Ablenkungen umgehen und Ihre
Arbeitszeit strukturieren.
MEDIUM AUDIO

Working or
relaxing?
You need
boundaries

O
ne of the benefits of digital tech- begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m., and I Take breaks
nology is that it makes it easier to will take one hour for lunch. Create and “The break has to be a different activity,”
work from home. But to be effective maintain the boundaries with yourself Thomas says. “If your job is to write, don’t
when working remotely, you need that will acknowledge your personality take a break that involves reading. It’s not
to manage potential distractions. and allow you to be your best.” a big enough break for your brain. Instead,
Here are some expert tips. walk the dog, throw in some laundry or
Establish acceptable distractions sweep the floor.” She adds that we all have
Turn off the TV “Perhaps you allow yourself to do laundry the same 24 hours a day for work, family
More than 76 per cent of remote work- or watch television only during your offi- and entertainment. “Time is not the prob-
ers in the US say they have worked with cial lunch hour,” Stack says. “Perhaps you lem, distractions are the problem.”
the television turned on, according to the can create an agreement with yourself
home services website Porch.com. Also that doctor’s appointments during the
acknowledge sth. maintain sth. [meIn(teIn] 
high on the list of distractions is paying day are OK, but getting your nails done [Ek(nQlIdZ] ,  etw. aner- ,  etw. aufrechterhalten
bills or shopping online, reports Fast Com- is not.” kennen; hier: gerecht werden
put in (one’s hours)
pany magazine. Over 35 per cent say they boundary [(baUndEri]  [)pUt (In] 
run errands, 33 per cent exercise and near- Turn off the devices , Grenze ,  (seine normale Stunden-
zahl) arbeiten
ly 28 per cent go out for coffee on compa- Phones and email are among the biggest break [breIk] , Pause
ny time. distractions, experts say. “Our attention remote worker
distraction [dI(strÄkS&n] 
[ri)mEUt (w§:kE] 
“If you’re the type of person who can is diverted every 30 to 120 seconds from , Ablenkung
,  Mitarbeiter(in), der/die
run a few errands, meet a friend for coffee things like email,” comments productivi- diverted [daI(v§:tId]  nicht vom Büro aus arbeitet
and go to the gym, and still put in your full ty expert and author Maura Thomas. So, , abgelenkt
run errands
work hours, it’s fine to have flexibility,” try turning off the sound notifications do laundry [)du: (lO:ndri]  [)rVn (erEndz] 
,  Wäsche waschen ,  Besorgungen machen
says productivity expert Laura Stack. “But and check messages only at set times
if you’re the type who is unable to com- during the day. exercise [(eksEsaIz]  sweep sth. [swi:p] 
,  hier: Sport treiben ,  etw. fegen
plete work tasks because your personal
Foto: Morsa Images/iStock.com

gym [dZIm]  work remotely

activities are interfering, you need a bit Use a timer
, Fitnessstudio [)w§:k ri(mEUtli] 
more structure.” To increase your concentration, Thomas ,  nicht vom Büro aus
interfere [)IntE(fIE] 
suggests setting a timer and working non- arbeiten
,  ein Störfaktor sein
Set working hours stop on one thing for 20 to 45 minutes.
Treat your home office like a normal of- “Longer than that and it’s hard to stay fo- For more career trends, go to
fice, Stack advises. Tell yourself, “work cused,” she warns. www.business-spotlight.de/careers

76  Business Spotlight 2/2019 CAREERS & MANAGEMENT

 CAREERS & MANAGEMENT
EXECUTIVE EYE

“The cynic wears

everyone down with
annoying behaviours”
Regelverstöße im Fußball werden mit der gelben
Karte geahndet. Wäre das auch eine Möglichkeit, auf
unsoziales Verhalten, das zunehmend am Arbeitsplatz
zu beobachten ist, zumindest aufmerksam zu machen?
ADVANCED PLUS

Y
ob culture, with its self-indul- ADRIAN FURNHAM We have core tasks, which are skills-based, technical or knowl-
gent, cynical rudeness has invad- is principal, edge-based, and for which we are trained. But then there is the
ed the workplace. People don’t behavioural softer aspect of a job. It is about being a good citizen in our or-
psychology, at
help each other like they used ganization. Do we play the game, obey the rules, go the extra
Stamford Associ-
to. Politeness, helpfulness and ates and a former mile? What do we say about our organization outside work? Are
support seem lost. Anti­social be- psychology we cooperative? Do we readily volunteer to help out?
haviour is spreading like a virus. professor at These soft skills are not usually found in job descriptions. And
University College
Do we therefore need the equiv- London. http://
a lack of them is seldom grounds for firing someone. Yet some
alent of football’s yellow card for bad be- adrianfurnham.com people spread a virus of cynicism. They continually attack the
haviour? integrity of their organization — often very publicly — point-
This is an issue that matters. To be sur- ing out hypocrisy, unfairness and betrayal. They argue again
rounded by energetic, supportive and and again that their organization is opportunistic and deceitful,
appreciative people really does make a quite the opposite of what it publicly says about itself.
difference. They can reduce the general So, is the solution an organizational yellow card? It certainly
stress level at work. They make the work- wouldn’t solve all problems. But a yellow card could signal the
place warm and safe. The uncivil cynic, simple, but important message that the organization values soft
on the other hand, wears everyone down skills, that some workers are really more trouble than they are
with a long list of annoying behaviours. worth and that managers simply will not tolerate rude and un-
These include abusing their position of cooperative staff.
power, being a busybody, micromanaging
and incessant back-stabbing.
We like to believe, particularly at work, annoying [E(nOIIN]  core [kO:]  self-indulgent
,  lästig, nervig , Kern [)self In(dVldZEnt] 
that we are cool, rational beings. But deep
, maßlos
down, we are not. Irrational forces play appreciative deceitful [di(si:tf&l] 
[E(pri:SiEtIv]  ,  betrügerisch, falsch technical [(teknIk&l] 
a big part in what we do — and how and , wertschätzend; , fachlich
why we do it. We are emotional beings. go the extra mile
hier auch: verständnisvoll
+ PLUS [gEU Di )ekstrE (maI&l]  wear sb. down
Fotos: 123ducu, iStockphoto/iStock.com

And at work, both positive and negative back-stabbing ,  sich besonders [)weE (daUn] 
emotions are triggered all the time. We Try our reading [(bÄk )stÄbIN]  anstrengen ,  jmdn. zermürben,
comprehension , Verrat; hier: (hinter- fix und fertig machen
react to rude customers, for example, or grounds [graUndz] 
exercises on this hältige) Intrige(n)
to praise from a boss or support from a article in our ,  hier: Grund, Begründung yob culture 
exercise booklet, betrayal [bi(treIEl]  ,  [(jQb )kVltSE] UK ifml. 
colleague. Business Spotlight , Verrat
hypocrisy [hI(pQkrEsi] 
etwa: Rowdytum;
Controlling emotions is a big part of Plus. To order, go , Heuchelei
hier: unsoziales Verhalten
to www.aboshop. busybody [(bIzi)bQdi] 
getting our jobs done well, because es- incessant [In(ses&nt]  (yob  , Halbstarker,
spotlight-verlag.de ,  Wichtigtuer(in), der/die
, unaufhörlich Rowdy)
sentially, we all have two tasks at work. sich ständig einmischt

CAREERS & MANAGEMENT 2/2019 Business Spotlight 77 

 WORK & RELAX
IN THE ZONE

Was it something I said?

Gespräche am Arbeitsplatz fördern die Beziehungen zu Kollegen.
Doch worüber soll man reden? JULIAN EARWAKER geht der Frage nach,
welche Themen sich eignen und welche absolut tabu sind.
MEDIUM

T
here’s a song on the album Green

NOT SAFE FOR WORK?

by REM that refers to the inability
to communicate. “Pop Song ’89”
includes the lyrics, “Should we talk
about the weather? / Should we talk
about the government?” You may TOP TEN WORKPLACE CONVERSATION TOPICS AMERICANS FIND INAPPROPRIATE:
know this feeling when you take a break
at work and head for the office kitchen.
You’d like to join your colleagues here in 71% 69% sex life drug use

57%
conversation, but you’re not quite sure
gossip about
what to say.
a co-worker
Social anxiety can be a real problem
in a large workplace, where you might
not know many of your colleagues well.
Even confident speakers are sometimes
42% 39% salary or
income
sexual
orientation

at a loss for words. That’s where small talk

comes in.“Small talk is about building a
38% race or
ethnicity

37% 35%
bridge between you and another person,”
gender
says Arlin Cuncic of VeryWellMind.com. religion identity
“It doesn’t matter so much what you talk
about, but rather that you start talking.”
Practising small talk doesn’t just help to
develop relationships with colleagues; it
31% 28% politics
relationship
issues

also builds confidence for business meet- Source: Entrepreneur (https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/308815)

ings, conferences and training.
Cuncic’s number one small-talk topic?
The weather, of course. “Although talking
about the weather may seem mundane, it break: take a ~ head for (a place) issue [(ISu:]  mundane [mVn(deIn] 
[breIk]  [(hed fO:]  ,  Frage, Problem , profan
is a good neutral topic that everyone can
,  (eine) Pause machen ,  (einen Ort) ansteuern;
discuss,” she explains. “Did a big storm hier: (zu einem Ort) gehen
loss for words: be at a ~ social anxiety
gossip [(gQsIp]  [)lQs fE (w§:dz]  [)sEUS&l ÄN(zaIEti] 
just blow through? Are you in the mid- ,  Klatsch, Tratsch inappropriate ,  keine Worte finden ,  Unbehagen in
dle of a heatwave? Look no further than [)InE(prEUpriEt]  Gesellschaft
lyrics [(lIrIks] 
outside your door for some good conver- , unangebracht
, Songtext topic [(tQpIk] 
sation openers.” , Thema

78  Business Spotlight 2/2019 WORK & RELAX

 What else is safe to talk about at work?
Books, movies, popular culture, television
and trending topics are just a few easy
ideas from Meridianks.com to talk about
with co-workers, especially at lunchtime.
“Step away from the computer, grab some
grub with a friend or colleague,” advises
the knowledge solutions website, “and
most importantly, give your brain a break
and stop talking about work!” Other
areas suitable for discussion, it suggests,
include sports, hobbies and interests.
Whatever the topic, always think
before you speak, advises Devashish
Chakravarty of Business Today. “Lack of
restraint while communicating can be
disastrous,” he says. “Unlike family and
friends, the workplace is unforgiving and
you can jeopardize your career. There are
certain topics that be best kept apart from
the workplace.”
Entrepreneur.com reports studies show-
ing that the strictest industries for conver-
sation taboos are finance and insurance. If
you work in hospitality, IT or manufactur-
ing, you’re likely to have more flexibility.
“ Small talk is about building a bridge
The study shows that while workers are between you and another person”
happy talking to colleagues about health,
relationships and families, 74 per cent say
the number one topic of conversation in
American workplaces is politics. Perhaps things to avoid include sex, religion, hate for the workplace,” says Miranda Pen-
that’s no surprise, but is talking politics at speech and crude jokes. Safer territory for nington of TheJobNetwork.com. “Blanket
work a good idea? conversation with colleagues includes accusations like this rarely have positive
“Conflict at work is easy to provoke local news, restaurants and coffee shops, results.” She also has another suggestion:
without adding politics to the mix,” says sports, events or shows you are planning avoid complaining too much. “Saying ‘I’m
Laura Johnson of the Institute of Lead- to attend. Children and pets, travel and soooooooooo tired’ and griping about
Fotos: design56, blackred, TPopova, Orla, Alter_photo, Juanmonino, franckreporter, Marisa9, mgkaya/iStock.com

ership & Management in the UK. Here, holidays are all safe topics, according to your exhaustion level, unless you need
Brexit has polarized opinion and is the Modis.com. some legitimate accommodation in your
number one water-cooler conversation It’s not just the topic of conversation workload, is tedious.” The same is also
topic. However, says Johnson, the con- that matters, of course, but how we speak true when you get home from work. Pop
frontational nature of political debate to colleagues. “‘You always…’ and ‘You songs are probably a safer topic of conver-
should make it a big no-no for discus- never…’ are bad for relationships and bad sation with the family.
sions with co-workers. “What starts out
as harmless chit-chat inevitably turns
into an impassioned debate,” she ex- accommodation gripe about sth. inevitably pet [pet] , Haustier
[E)kQmE(deIS&n]  [(graIp E)baUt] ifml.  [In(evItEbli] 
plains. “When it comes to the state of our , Entgegenkommen ,  über etw. meckern , unweigerlich
provoke sth. [prE(vEUk] 
,  etw. auslösen
nation, it’s hard not to get personal and
blanket hospitality insurance [In(SUErEns] 
almost impossible not to make judge- restraint [ri(streInt] 
[(blÄNkIt]  [)hQspI(tÄlEti]  , Versicherungswesen
, Zurückhaltung
ments based on a workmate’s political , pauschal ,  Hotel- und Gaststätten-
jeopardize sth.
gewerbe tedious [(ti:diEs] 
preferences.” chit-chat [(dZepEdaIz] 
, nervtötend
Politics isn’t the only subject that can [(tSIt tSÄt] ifml.  HR (human resources) ,  etw. gefährden
, Geplauder [)eItS (A:]  water cooler
lead to harsh judgements. Writing for , Personalwesen
legitimate [lI(dZItEmEt] 
[(wO:tE )ku:lE] 
Forbes.com, HR expert Liz Ryan lists ten crude joke ,  hier: begründet
, Wasserspender
[)kru:d (dZEUk]  impassioned
topics never to talk about at work, in- manufacturing
,  schmutziger Witz [Im(pÄS&nd]  workload [(w§:klEUd] 
[)mÄnju(fÄktSErIN] 
cluding negative opinions about other grab some grub
, leidenschaftlich
, Fertigung(sindustrie)
, Arbeitspensum
employees and managers, employees’ [)grÄb sVm (grVb] ifml.  industry workmate
no-no
personal problems, unhappiness with ,  sich etwas zu essen [(IndEstri]  [(w§:kmeIt] 
[(nEU nEU] ifml. 
holen ,  hier: Branche , Arbeitskollege/-kollegin
your job and relationship dramas. Other , Tabu

WORK & RELAX 2/2019 Business Spotlight 79 

 WORK & RELAX
AWAY FROM YOUR DESK

Recommended for you

Verbannen Sie die englische Sprache nicht an den
Arbeitsplatz! Mit Büchern, Kunst und anderen
Dingen räumen Sie ihr auch in Ihrer Freizeit einen
Platz ein. Von MARGARET DAVIS
MEDIUM

EXHIBITION
Photographer Martin Up north: Martin Parr’s
Parr is known for his photos of Manchester
somewhat off-kilter
portraits of ordinary
British people. Before he
became famous, Parr had
studied photography at
Manchester Polytechnic. PRODUCT
Now, some of his early “Sip. Stow. Go.” This is the slogan for
works are on display at the Stojo collapsible coffee cup. The
Manchester Art Gallery brainchild of three busy New Yorkers
in an exhibition called who spend a lot of time drinking
“Martin Parr: Return to coffee and commuting on public
Manchester”. The photos transport, the Stojo can be washed

Fotos: ©Martin Parr/Magnum Photos/Rocket Gallery; pr; Kfir Ziv/Setter Architects

show people and places and reused multiple times. And be-
in the northern city Parr cause it’s collapsible, once the coffee
describes as “exciting and is gone, you can fold the cup up and
very real”. The exhibition put it in your bag or rucksack. A good
is open until 22 April. idea for anyone who wants to reduce
http://manchesterartgallery. their use of disposable coffee cups.
org https://stojo.co

exhibition [)eksI(bIS&n]  brainchild disposable

, Ausstellung [(breIntSaI&ld] ifml.  [dI(spEUzEb&l] 
, Erfindung , Einweg-
off-kilter [)Qf (kIltE] 
,  unkonventionell, schräg collapsible sip (sth.) [sIp] 
[kE(lÄpsEb&l]  ,  (etw.) schlürfen
on display: be ~ [)Qn dI(spleI] 
, faltbar
,  gezeigt werden stow (sth.) [stEU]  Practical:
commute [kE(mju:t]  ,  (etw.) verstauen the Stojo
polytechnic [)pQli(teknIk] UK 
, pendeln coffee cup
,  etwa: Fachhochschule

80  Business Spotlight 2/2019 WORK & RELAX

DVD
Imagine a tea party where the guests are Dames Judi Dench, Dame [deIm] UK 
Maggie Smith, Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright. The four ,  britischer Ehrentitel für
Frauen
friends, all legendary British actresses, meet regularly to talk
listen in [(lIs&n In] 
and reminisce about their lives and careers. For Nothing Like
, mithören; hier: zuhören
a Dame, they allowed director Roger Michell to listen in. The
reminisce about sth.
result is funny, touching and highly entertaining. In addition [)remI(nIs E)baUt] 
to the conversations, the film includes historical material and ,  in Erinnerungen an etw.
photos. schwelgen
The Dames:
British acting legends

BOOK
Live Alone and Like It by Mar-
jorie Hillis, a Vogue magazine
editor, was first published in
1936. As Hillis (1889–1971)
writes in the opening chapter,
“…the chances are that at some
point in your life, possibly
only now and then between
husbands, you will find your- Office views:
self settling down to a solitary see how
others work
existence”. Subtitled The Art of
Solitary Refinement, this charming, funny advice manual
is of more interest today from a historical point of NEWSLETTER
view than for providing tips for the modern (single) There’s something fascinating about seeing how other people
woman. Yet its premise remains true: enjoy the life you live, which perhaps explains the success of publications de-
have but be sure to have a plan. Live Alone and Like It voted to houses and gardens. If you’re also interested in seeing
includes the original drawings by Austrian-born artist where people work, the Office Snapshots newsletter could be
Cipe Pineles. Virago Modern Classic just what you’re looking for. Based in Santa Barbara, California,
Office Snapshots features office designs from companies and
advice manual editor [(edItE]  settle down to sth. architects all over the world. Every week, there’s a new design,
[Ed(vaIs )mÄnjuEl]  , Redakteur(in) [)set&l (daUn tu]  together with links to previous entries. Visit the website and
, Ratgeber ,  sich an etw.
premise sign up for the newsletter here: https://officesnapshots.com
(manual , Handbuch) gewöhnen
[(premIs] 
chances: (the) ~ , Prämisse solitary existence
are that... [)sQlEtEri Ig(zIstEns]  based: be ~ in... [beIst]  feature sth. [(fi:tSE]  sign up for sth.
refinement ,  seinen Sitz in ... haben ,  etw. zeigen
[(tSA:nsIz] , aller , (einsames) [)saIn (Vp fO:] 
[ri(faInmEnt]  ,  sich für etw. anmelden
Wahrscheinlichkeit Single-Dasein
, Verfeinerung; devoted: be ~ to sth. previous
nach
hier: Kultivierung [di(vEUtId tu]  [(pri:viEs]  snapshot [(snÄpSQt] 
,  sich etw. widmen , frühere(r,s) , Momentaufnahme

THEATRE
On 11 September 2001, 7,000 people were stranded in Gander, New- grounded: be ~
foundland. Their planes had been grounded following terrorist attacks [(graUndId] 
,  keine Starterlaubnis
in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. The award-winning bekommen
Canadian musical Come from Away tells the story of these passengers
Phoenix [(fi:nIks]  
and the friendships they made with local people. After successful runs ,  [wg. Aussprache]
in Toronto and on Broadway, Come from Away is playing at the Phoenix run [rVn] 
Theatre in London until 25 May 2019. (The phrase “come from away” ,  hier: Spielzeit
is used in Canada’s Atlantic provinces to describe someone who has stranded: be ~
moved to the region from another area.) https://phoenix.londontheatres. [(strÄndId] 
, festsitzen
co.uk/come-from-away

WORK & RELAX 2/2019 Business Spotlight 81 

 FEEDBACK
READERS’ CHOICE

Your favourite cover

The first issue of Business Spoglight (“Is your business English good enough?”)
was published in March 2001. The current magazine is the 100th issue. On our
Facebook page, you can vote for your favourite cover from the ones below.

➻
To vote for your favourite cover, go to:
www.facebook.com/BusinessSpotlight

JARGON BUSTER

Understand the jargon —

­ be careful how you use it
EASY

fit for purpose

➻ Example ➻ Explanation
“Jon’s latest plan is not really In British English, something that is “fit for purpose” is suitable for the job it needs to
fit for purpose.” do. The phrase was originally used to describe products or institutions. Now, however, it
is also often used in business to refer to ideas, projects or systems.

82  Business Spotlight 2/2019 FEEDBACK

 PREVIEW
ISSUE 3/2019

California:
Silicon Valley
technological Silicon Valley has been the
powerhouse key location of innovations
in high technology and social
media in recent years. We
look at the latest trends.

Green language
Environmental issues play an
important role in many firms.
Test your knowledge of the
language of ecology.

SKILL UP!
Solving problems
In our next Skill Up! booklet,
we give you the words and
expressions you’ll need for
solving problems at work.

Business Spotlight 3/2019 is on

sale from 20 March 2019

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PREVIEW 2/2019 Business Spotlight 83 

 AND FINALLY...
ONE QUESTION

How many people

visit the queen at her
home each year?
ADVANCED
CAROLE TROSCH
is a London Blue Badge Tour
Guide. Her tours are for
various group sizes or for
individuals. She guides in
English and in German: www.
facebook.com/carole.trosch2
Interview: Eamonn Fitzgerald

London Blue Badge Tour Guides are often the

only external guides permitted to accompany
visitors to famous sites in the city, such as the
Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and
Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace is the queen’s home granddaughter. She had asked for a walk-
and office when she is in London. She ing tour of central London and they were
welcomes more than 50,000 people to the keen to see Buckingham Palace. I knew it
palace each year, and many get to meet was the day of a state visit and that if we
her in person there. By the way, if you timed it right, we could be at the gates
have been invited by the queen privately, of the palace and see the queen depart
you have been “granted an audience” with to meet her guests at the Horse Guards
her. building. The queen was wearing violet
Every summer, the queen hosts a se- and waved to us as she drove past us in
ries of big garden parties at Buckingham her Bentley. It made their day.
Palace. People who have made a positive
impact in their community are invited

At each
banquet host sth. [hEUst] 
to spend an afternoon in the company of [(bÄNkwIt]  ,  etw. veranstalten
Her Majesty and members of her family. ,  [wg. Aussprache]
keen: be ~ to do sth.
party, the At each party, the guests drink an average
of 27,000 cups of tea.
Blue Badge Tour Guide
[)blu: bÄdZ (tUE gaId]  
[ki:n] UK 
,  etw. unbedingt tun

guests drink
,  etwa: zertifizierte(r) wollen
More often now, Prince Charles or
Touristenführer(in)
William steps in for the queen — she is make sb.’s day
(badge  , Abzeichen)

an average of
[)meIk )sVmbEdiz (deI] 
92, after all. depart [di(pA:t]  ,  jmdm. eine große
During state visits, the queen hosts a ,  abfahren, losfahren Freude bereiten

27,000 cups banquet for presidents and prime min-

isters, monarchs and chancellors. This is
grant sb. sth. [grA:nt] 
,  jmdm. etw. gewähren
make a positive impact
[)meIk E )pQzEtIv

of tea always on the first evening of the visit and (ImpÄkt] 

Her Majesty
,  etw. Positives bewirken
the guests often stay overnight at Buck- [)h§: (mÄdZEsti] 
,  Ihre Majestät, site [saIt] 
ingham Palace. There is plenty of space, as
Foto: Claire Trosh

die Königin ,  Ort, Stätte

it has 775 rooms and 78 bathrooms.
Horse Guards step in for sb.
I recently guided a grandmother from [(hO:s gA:dz] UK  [)step (In fO:] 
Germany who was in London with her , Leibgarde ,  jmdn. vertreten

84  Business Spotlight 2/2019 AND FINALLY...

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 SKILL UP!
Ausgabe
➳ 54

Sprachtraining leicht gemacht

HUMAN RESOURCES
THE LANGUAGE OF

➺
 CONTENTS

Personnel gets
personal
DEBORAH CAPRAS
Author, editor,
corporate writer
Contact:business@
spotlight-verlag.de

Whether you work in human resources (HR) or

simply need to talk to HR professionals about
your work, pay and conditions, you will need
specialized vocabulary. In this issue of Skill Up!,
we provide you with words, phrases and idioms
that can be used in a whole range of HR situa-
tions.
In Word Bank (pp. 4–5), you can learn The most effec-
tive way to learn a
general vocabulary for talking about HR is-
language is not by
sues. The dialogues in the In Context section learning grammar and
(pp. 6–11) focus on phrases for discussing vocabulary separately
working conditions, structuring personal re- but to learn in chunks
views and talking about staff motivation and — groups of words
that form meaning-
opportunities. The phrases from the extracts ful units. When you
are listed in Phrase Bank on pages 12–13. In the can process chunks,
grammar section (pp. 20–21), we look at how rather than individual
to use the dummy “there” in HR. And try the words, communica-
tion becomes faster
Test exercises at the end of the booklet, on pages
and more efficient.
22–23, to see how well you know the language Practise chunks
presented in this issue. from the Phrase Bank
Illustration: Bernhard Förth

Don’t forget to read the Skill Up! boxes on and Collocations

HR matters. You’ll find more such boxes in pages by making a
note of those you
Business Spotlight magazine.
think will come in use-
ful in HR situations.

2  SKILL UP!
 CONTENTS

Contents Knowledge check

What do you know already?

Word Bank A. The total money you

Key vocabulary 4–5
earn before tax and other
In Context deductions is your
A stress-free workplace 6–7  .
A personal review 8–9
B. What is the English word
Staying motivated 10–11
for Lehrling?
Phrase Bank  .
How to say it 12–13
C. What does it mean if
False Friends someone has a “zero-
Do we need a quota? 14–15 hours contract”?
Collocations  .
Time for some leave 16–17 D. Is it a good or bad thing to
Essential Idioms get a perk?
What did they say again? 18–19  .

Grammar Check E. 
What is the English word
The dummy “there” 20–21 for Jahresgespräch?

Test  .
Test yourself! 22–23

You’ll find the answers on the

following pages and on page 23.

IMPRESSUM PRODUKTIONSLEITERIN: Ingrid Sturm VERLAG und REDAKTION:

HERAUSGEBER: Jan Henrik Groß LEITER REDAKTIONSMANAGEMENT: Spotlight Verlag GmbH
CHEFREDAKTEUR: Dr. Ian McMaster Thorsten Mansch Kistlerhofstr. 172, 81379 München
ART DIRECTOR: Michael Scheufler MARKETINGLEITERIN: Telefon: +49 (0)89 8 56 81-0;
GESCHÄFTSFÜHRENDE Jessica Sonnenberg Fax +49 (0)89 8 56 81-105
REDAKTEURIN: Maja Sirola (CvD) VERTRIEBSLEITERIN: Internet: www.business-spotlight.de
AUTORIN: Deborah Capras Monika Wohlgemuth © 2/2019 Spotlight Verlag, auch für
REDAKTION: Margaret Davis, GESAMT-ANZEIGENLEITUNG: alle genannten Autoren, Fotografen und
Hildegard Rudolph, Michele Tilgner Matthias Weidling (DIE ZEIT, V.i.S.d.P.) Mitarbeiter.
BILDREDAKTION: Sarah Gough LITHO: Mohn Media Mohndruck GmbH, Der Spotlight Verlag ist ein Tochter‑​
(Leitung), Judith Rothenbusch 33311 Gütersloh ­unternehmen der Zeitverlag Gerd
GESTALTUNG: Georg Lechner DRUCK: teNeues, 47906 Kempen Bucerius GmbH

SKILL UP! 3 
 WORD BANK

Key vocabulary Health, safety

Here, we present the essential vocabulary and conditions
for a variety of situations absenteeism , Fehlzeit(en)
involving human resources. childcare  , Kinderbetreuung
counselling 
, Beratung
People in HR
co-working space  
chief human resources officer
, Gemeinschaftsarbeitsplatz
(CHRO)  
,  Personalchef(in), -leiter(in) cubicle ,  Arbeitsplatz im
Großraumbüro
HR manager 
, Personalleiter(in) employee assistance
programme (EAP)  
HR professional 
,  externe Mitarbeiterberatung
,  Fachkraft für Personalwesen
flexitime  , Gleitzeit
human resources (HR)
(department)  headset 
,  Sprechgarnitur, Headset
, Personalabteilung HR verbs
human resources (HR)  health and safety regulations  
dismiss sb. ,  jmdn. entlassen
, Personalwesen ,  Gesundheits- und Sicher-
downsize (staff) , (Personal) heitsbestimmungen
personnel officer   reduzieren, abbauen
, Personalverantwortliche(r) low morale  
employ sb. ,  jmdn. einstellen ,  schlechte Moral
empower sb.   multipurpose space  
,  jmdn. zu eigenständigem
People in the company Handeln ermächtigen
,  Mehrzweckraum, -fläche

apprentice  open-plan office 

fire sb.   , Großraumbüro
,  Lehrling, Auszubildende(r)
,  jmdn. feuern, entlassen
contract staff  , Angestellte(r) safety procedures , Sicher-
hire sb.   heitsverfahren, -abläufe
mit zeitlich befristetem Vertrag
,  jmdn. anheuern, einstellen
employee , Arbeitnehmer(in) welfare policy , Sozialpolitik
make sb. redundant  UK
freelancer , Freiberufler(in) wellness initiative  
,  jmdn. entlassen, freisetzen
,  Initiative zum Wohlbefinden
headcount   motivate sb.  
,  Zahl der Beschäftigten working environment  
,  jmdn. motivieren
, Arbeitsumfeld
intern , Praktikant(in)
Illustration: Bernhard Förth

outsource sth.  
work-life balance  
member of staff   ,  etw. auslagern
,  harmonisches Verhältnis
,  Mitglied der Belegschaft recruit sb.  zwischen Berufs- und Privat-
trainee ,  Auszubildende(r) ,  jmdn. anwerben, einstellen leben
workforce  , Belegschaft, retain sb.  ,  jmdn. (be)halten, work-related accident  
Mitarbeiter(innen) weiterhin beschäftigen ,  Arbeitsunfall

4  SKILL UP!
 WORD BANK

Employee relations gross pay  short-term contract 

affirmative action   ,  Bruttogehalt, -lohn , Kurzzeitvertrag
, Fördermaßnahme(n) healthcare  sign a contract  
zugunsten Benachteiligter ,  medizinische Versorgung ,  einen Vertrag unterzeichnen
bullying  , Mobbing hourly rate  take-home pay 
discrimination  ,  Stundenlohn, -satz , Nettoverdienst
,  Diskriminierung, Ungleich- net pay  terminate a contract  
behandlung ,  Nettogehalt, -lohn ,  einen Vertrag beenden
grievance  non-contributory pension zero-hours contract UK 
,  Beschwerde, Missstand scheme   , Nullstundenvertrag,
harassment   ,  für den Arbeitnehmer Vertrag auf Abruf
,  Belästigung, Schikane beitragsfreie Altersversorgung
non-salary benefits  
job security 
, Arbeitsplatzsicherheit , Sachbezüge Reviews and
outplacement services  notice period  development
,  Leistungen zur beruflichen , Kündigungsfrist 360-degree appraisal , 360-
Neuorientierung (bei Verlust part-time position   Grad-Beurteilung, -Feedback
des Arbeitsplatzes) , Teilzeitstelle annual review , Jahresgespräch
staff turnover  pay rise UK (raise US)   equal opportunity policy 
, Mitarbeiterfluktuation , Gehaltserhöhung , Chancengleichheit
works council UK  pay scale   mentoring programme  
, Betriebsrat ,  Lohn-, Gehaltsskala, Tarif , Mentoring-Programm
pension scheme  onboarding programme 
, Altersversorgung , Eingliederungsprogramm
Contracts, pay performance-related pay   peer appraisal , Beurteilung
and benefits , leistungsabhängige durch Kollegen/Kolleginnen
administer payroll  Vergütung performance review  
,  für die Gehaltsabrechnung perk ifml.  , (Sonder-) , Mitarbeitergespräch,
zuständig sein Vergünstigung, freiwillige Zu- Leistungsbeurteilung
benefits package  satzleistung des Arbeitgebers self-development  
, Leistungspaket permanent contract  , Persönlichkeitsentwicklung
draw up a contract  ,  unbefristeter Vertrag
staff appraisal 
,  einen Vertrag entwerfen probationary period   , Mitarbeitergespräch
employment contract  , Probezeit
staff retention  
, Arbeitsvertrag remuneration  , Mitarbeiterbindung
fixed contract , Festvertrag , Vergütung
talent pipeline  
fringe benefits  salary , Gehalt ,  Talentpool, -beschaffung
,  (Gehalts-, Lohn-)Zusatz- severance agreement   workplace learning 
leistungen , Auflösungsvereinbarung ,  Lernen am Arbeitsplatz
full-time position  severance package  workshadowing 
, Vollzeitstelle , Abfindungspaket , Hospitation

SKILL UP! 5 
 IN CONTEXT

A stress-free workplace
On the next six pages, we present
extracts with key phrases and expressions
you can use in HR situations.

The Situation:
Sue has just started as head
of marketing. Neil, the HR
manager, is talking to her
about the role of HR at their
company.

2. Big, bright offices

1. The work-life balance Neil: Thanks to the recent re-
Neil: My main priorities as the design, we have a very modern
HR manager are employee satis- working environment.
faction and productivity. My goal Sue: Nice colours! Better than
is to help our employees achieve mouse grey.
the best work-life balance possible. Neil: I totally agree. Most employ-
As you will have personnel respon- ees sit in one of the big open-plan
sibility, I need you to support me in offices. We have quiet rooms and
this role. co-working spaces.
Sue: Of course. Sue: Are there any issues I should
Neil: You’ll find everything you’ll know about?
need on our intranet. There’s a Neil: There have been complaints
whole section on HR. Take a look about noise. On the whole, though,
at our new employee assistance giving people more choice and
programme, the EAP. We work control over where they work
with an external company. makes them happier — and more
Sue: After introducing counselling productive. Would you agree?
at my last company, we reduced Sue: Absolutely. It’s important to
staff turnover and absenteeism by empower staff.
ten per cent.
Neil: That’s impressive. issue ,  Frage, Thema, Sachverhalt
6  SKILL UP!
 IN CONTEXT

Phrase Bank
For a list of all the key phrases used in
the dialogues, see pages 12–13
3. Feel good, feel safe
Neil: I am also responsible for
staff well-being. If anyone has a
work-related accident, you need
to inform me as soon as possible. 4. Support is important
We’re not a production facility, so Sue: What should I be doing to
the health and safety regulations help support HR?
are quite short. You’ll find all the Neil: Inform your team about
safety procedures on the intranet, our generous welfare policies
too. and training programmes. We’re
Sue: Accidents in this office? Are proud that we offer flexitime and
they riding around on scooters? childcare for preschool children.
Neil: Actually, you’d be surprised at Again, it’s all on the intranet.
what does happen. Most accidents Sue: I have a lot of reading to do.
are in the kitchen areas — because Neil: Talking of reading, you can
of knives and glasses. keep up to date by reading our
Sue: Ouch! monthly HR newsletter. The next
one is about our employee survey.
facility ,  Einrichtung We’ll be asking questions about
scooter , Roller workload, intensity, pressure and
social support at work. It should
help us identify psychological
stress factors in the workplace, so
we can develop measures for im-
MANY ROLES provement.
In some companies, the focus of
HR will be mainly on administering survey , Befragung
payroll, while in others, HR will take workload ,  Arbeitsbelastung, -pensum
Illustration: Bernhard Förth

on a very strategic role, helping define

the type of talent that will be needed
in the future for the company to grow.
Whatever the role, the phrases here
will help you to talk to HR.

SKILL UP! 7 
 IN CONTEXT

A personal review
Here, we present some more key phrases and
expressions you will find useful when talking
about performance reviews and HR topics.

The Situation:
HR plays an important role in
making sure that performance
reviews are completed correctly.
Neil talks to Julie, a new trainee,
about the process.

5. Time and support

Julie: Thank you for going 6. The question of pay
through the staff appraisal with Julie: Should I discuss remuner-
me before my meeting with Sue. ation? I know that I’m on the
Neil: It’s so important to get the bottom end of the pay scale. I’m
most out of the performance re- hoping for some recognition for
view. I’d like to share with you best my achievements.
practice. Neil: It’s one aspect of the review,
Julie: That would be great. but not the most important.
Neil: Tell me how things are going Julie: I’m not sure I can agree
in your team. with you there. I’ve taken on
Julie: OK. I’ve learned a lot. more responsibility and I’ve
Neil: What do you like most helped win contracts.
about your job? Neil: You have a point there.
Julie: Oh, I don’t know. There are However, the review is more about
so many things. your future role and responsibili-
Illustration: Bernhard Förth

Neil: You need to prepare an an- ties. You can discuss pay, but try to
swer to these questions for your focus more on your performance,
appraisal. Be specific. Think about workplace learning and self-
what you do and why. development. How do you see
your role?
8  SKILL UP!
 IN CONTEXT

7. Honesty pays Phrase Bank

For a list of all the key phrases used in
Neil: It’s important to be honest the dialogues, see pages 12–13
in your self-evaluation. For in-
stance, do you believe you have
the skills to perform your job ef-
fectively? Give examples of when
you have performed well. 9. A final word
Julie: I’ve collected positive feed- Neil: Do you have all the informa-
back from customers. tion you need?
Neil: That’s good. But also think Julie: I think so. If not, I’ll send you
about the areas that have been an email. This has been incredibly
more difficult. Where do you useful.
think you can improve? Where Neil: If you have any concerns,
might you need support? you can also talk to someone on
our works council.
self-evaluation ,  Selbsteinschätzung Julie: That’s good to know, but
I think I have everything I need
now. I appreciate your support
8. Training and development and guidance.
Neil: Now, to what extent do you Neil: I have an open-door policy, so
feel you have received adequate just pop by if you need anything.
training? Julie: Thanks, I will.
Julie: Some areas could be better.
Neil: Give details. We can only im- appreciate sth. ,  etw. zu schätzen wissen
prove our support if you’re honest. pop by , vorbeikommen
On a more personal level, is there
a skill you need to learn?
Julie: I would benefit from a
course on time management.
Neil: Good. We subsidize such APPRAISALS OR INTERVIEWS?
courses. Suggest it to your line Many of the questions and
manager. Be proactive. answers used in appraisals are
similar to those that are used in in-
terviews. They require thoughtful
line manager UK ,  direkte(r) Vorgesetzte(r) preparation, by both parties.
subsidize sth. ,  etw. finanziell unterstützen
SKILL UP! 9 
 IN CONTEXT

Staying motivated
Here, we provide some key phrases and
expressions you might need for sending emails
about HR matters and talking about career The Situation:
development and perks. Neil sends out an email
to Sue about her first
performance reviews.
10. How to…

Subject: Performance review preparation

Dear Sue

As you know, formal performance reviews need to be carried out by the

end of March. As these will be your first reviews with the company, I’m
sending you a short overview of our guidelines together with the review
forms. You’ll find the full manual on the intranet. To ensure the appraisals
run smoothly, please follow our guidelines.

My advice is to prepare well in advance. Give honest feedback and base it

on performance. Please remember to be clear and constructive with your
feedback. Provide concrete, realistic goals and a time frame. Ideally, you
should focus on only three key points for each section of the review.

Key points:
● What are the three things that your employee did the best on a regular
basis this year?
● What are the three areas where your employee needs to develop?

● What are the three things you can do to support your employee’s

progress?

Please contact me if you require any additional support.

Illustration: Bernhard Förth

Kind regards

Neil Baker
Senior HR manager

10  SKILL UP!

 IN CONTEXT

11. Serious plans for the future The Situation:

Sue: I’m concerned Julie might First, Neil has a meeting with Sue
leave. Is there anything we can do to discuss Julie’s future. Later in
about her salary? Can we offer a the week, they both talk to Julie
about her career path.
performance-related bonus, for
example?
Neil: Not while she’s in the trainee
programme.
Sue: She would be a good can- 12. Good news, great career
didate for the mentoring pro- Neil: Congratulations, Julie!
gramme. You’ve been accepted on to the
Neil: That’s an option. Are we con- mentoring programme. You have
fident that she is right for such a a new job title, job description and
role? a pay rise.
Sue: Definitely. She’s really devel- Sue: We’ve decided on five impor-
oped in the past six months. How tant milestones for the next year.
much of the budget do we need to Julie: Thank you. Do I also have
allocate for her personal develop- the option to work from home?
ment? Neil: Yes. We’ve agreed to a trial
Neil: I will do some calculations for six months. Everyone on the
and let you know if it’s possible team has to be happy with the ar-
before you talk to her. rangement for it to continue after
that.
Sue: Does that make sense?
Julie: Yes, that seems like a good
compromise.
Neil: I’ll put everything in writing.
Thank you for your hard work
and dedication. You’re an asset to
the company.

allocate sb. sth. ,  jmdm. etw. zuteilen

Phrase Bank asset ,  hier: wertvolle(r) Mitarbeiter(in)
For a list of all the key phrases used in dedication ,  Einsatz, Engagement
the dialogues, see pages 12–13
trial ,  hier: Probezeitraum
SKILL UP! 11 
 PHRASE BANK

How to say it
In this section, you’ll find a collection of the phrases and expressions
used in the extracts on the previous pages (pp. 6–11). The numbers
(1–12) after each of the phrases refer to the extract it was taken from.

Explaining your role I t’s so important to get the most out

 y main priorities as the HR man-
M of the performance review. [5]
ager are... [1] Do you have all the information you
My goal is to… [1] need? [9]
I am also responsible for... [3] Please contact me if you require any
additional support. [10]
Explaining procedures
 ou’ll find everything you’ll need on
Y Agreeing and disagreeing
our intranet. [1] I totally agree. [2]
If anyone has a work-related acci- Would you agree? [2]
dent, you need to... [3] Absolutely. [2]
Formal performance reviews need I’m not sure I can agree with you
to be carried out by... [10] there. [6]
To ensure the appraisals run smooth- You have a point there. [6]
ly, follow our guidelines. [10] That’s good. [7]
That’s an option. [11]
Discussing working conditions That seems like a good compromise.
 hanks to the recent redesign, we
T [12]
have a very modern working envi-
ronment. [2] Showing appreciation
Are there any issues I should know Thank you for going through the
about? [2] staff appraisal with me. [5]
We’re proud that we offer... [4] That would be great. [5]
Do I also have the option to work This has been incredibly useful. [9]
from home? [12] That’s good to know. [9]
We’ve agreed to a trial for six months. I appreciate your support and guid-
[12] ance. [9]
Congratulations! [12]
Being supportive Thank you for your hard work and
 hat should I be doing to help sup-
W dedication. [12]
port HR? [4] You’re an asset to the company. [12]
12  SKILL UP!
 PHRASE BANK

Asking for feedback Talking about pay and conditions

 ell me how things are going in your
T I know that I’m on the bottom end of
team. [5] the pay scale. [6]
What do you like most about your I’m hoping for some recognition for
job? [5] my achievements. [6]
How do you see your role? [6] Is there anything we can do about
Do you believe you have the skills to her salary? [11]
perform your job effectively? [7] Can we offer a performance-related
bonus? [11]
Giving advice
 ou need to... [5]
Y Talking about training
Think about what you do and why. [5]  o what extent do you feel you have
T
It’s important to be honest in your received adequate training? [8]
self-evaluation. [7] Some areas could be better. [8]
Give examples of when you have On a more personal level, is there a
performed well. [7] skill you need to learn? [8]
Be proactive. [8] I would benefit from… [8]
If you have any concerns, you can... How much of the budget do we need
[9] to allocate for her personal develop-
My advice is to… [10] ment? [11]
Please remember to… [10]
Provide concrete, realistic goals and Agreeing a career path
a time frame. [10] She would be a good candidate for
Ideally, you should focus on… [10] the mentoring programme. [11]
Are we confident that she is right for
Talking about performance such a role? [11]
I’ve taken on more responsibility We’ve decided on five important
and I’ve helped win contracts. [6] milestones for the next year. [12]
Where do you think you can im-
prove? [7]
Where might you need support? [7]
What are the three things that your RECRUITMENT
employee did the best on a regular You’ll find other HR phrases in the
basis this year? [10] following issues of Skill Up!:
What are the three areas where your The language of job interviews
employee needs to develop? [10] (Skill Up!, no. 47, 1/2018)
What are the three things you can
The language of job applications
do to support your employee’s pro- (Skill Up!, no. 52, 7/2018)
gress? [10]
SKILL UP! 13 
 FALSE FRIENDS

Do we need a quota?
There are many words in German and English that Skill Up! Audio
You can do an
sound similar but have very different meanings.
exercise on
They are called “false friends”. Business Spotlight
Audio.

QUOTA CELEBRATE

QUOTE FIRE

What’s Quote in English? What’s feiern in English?

Fotos: kupicoo, Zinkevych, bernardbodo, filmfoto/iStock.com

Quote = quota feiern = celebrate

● Will a quota for women help? ● Twenty years at the company.

That’s a reason to celebrate!

It’s not quote!
quote = Kostenvoranschlag, Angebot It’s not fire!
● Did you prepare a quote? fire = feuern
Note: We also use “quotation”. ● Twenty years at the company.

Another translation: I can’t believe they fired you!

quote (quotation) = Zitat
● “To be or not to be” is the only

Shakespeare quote I know.

14  SKILL UP!
 FALSE FRIENDS

OTHER FALSE FRIENDS

You mean… You should say… Don’t say… As this
means…
Personal , Es wird schwierig, personnel, staff , It will personal persönlich
geeignetes Personal zu finden. be difficult to find suitable
personnel.

Paragraf , Gemäß Paragraf section, article, clause , paragraph (Text-)

21 sind Sie verpflichtet, den Pursuant to section 21, Absatz
Schaden zu ersetzen. you are obliged to make
good the damage.

jobben , Ich habe neben dem have a part-time job, job Arbeits­
Studium immer gejobbt. work as a temp , stelle;
I always had a part-time Aufgabe,
job while I was studying. Tätigkeit

TRICKY TRANSLATIONS , Sie verdient ihren Lebensunterhalt

How do you say mit Social-Media-Beiträgen!
verdienen in English?
● The idiom bring home the ba-

● If verdienen refers to how much con is about what people earn:
someone is paid, we use earn: “She brings home the bacon.”
“You will earn more after six , Sie verdient die Brötchen.
months.”, Sie werden nach sechs
Monaten mehr verdienen. ● And if you talk about brutto/net-

to verdienen, you can say (earn)

● 
Informally, we use make, es- gross or (earn) net: “So, all in
pecially to talk about freelance all, I (earn) net about €2,500 a
work: “I can make about €3,500 month.” , Also insgesamt verdiene
a month.” , Ich kann ca. €3.500 im ich ca. €2.500 netto im Monat.
Monat verdienen.
● When verdienen refers to “hav-
● The expression seinen Lebensun- ing the right to something”, we
terhalt verdienen is translated as translate it as deserve: “She de-
earn a/one’s living: “She earns a served the pay rise.” , Sie hat die
living with social media posts!” Gehaltserhöhung verdient.
SKILL UP! 15 
 COLLOCATIONS

Time for some leave

How many nouns and adjectives do you know that sound natural with
“leave”? Take a closer look at common collocations with this noun.

Adjectives with adjective + “leave” Your reasons

“leave” HR manager: I’m
annual leave  so sorry to hear that
, Jahresurlaub
annual
your mother is not
compassionate leave UK  compassionate
well. You could take
,  Urlaub aus familiären Gründen exceptional
compassionate leave.
exceptional leave  extended
, Sonderurlaub Joe: Would that be
extended leave (of absence)  unpaid leave?
,  längere Abwesenheit HR manager: It’s
indefinite
indefinite leave  possible to get paid
,  unbegrenzter Urlaub
paid
parental leave in some situa-
paid leave ,  bezahlter Urlaub
remaining tions, for up to four
parental leave 
,  Elternzeit, Erziehungsurlaub weeks.
remaining leave , Resturlaub
residual
residual leave , Resturlaub
sabbatical
sabbatical leave 
,  Sabbatical, Sabbatjahr sick “HOLIDAY” OR
sick leave , Krankenstand, unpaid “VACATION”?
Krankschreibung In the UK, employees
unpaid leave  take holidays or go
,  unbezahlter Urlaub on holiday. In the US,
employees take vacation
or go on vacation. Many
Nouns with “leave” noun + “leave” employees in the US have
garden (gardening) leave UK  very few vacation days.
,  bezahlte Freistellung But they are often entitled
maternity leave   garden(ing) to one or two personal
, Mutterschutz(urlaub) maternity days as well, which they
paternity leave  use when they are sick or
paternity
, Vaterschaftsurlaub for “personal” reasons,
study such as moving house.
study leave , Bildungsurlaub

16  SKILL UP!

 COLLOCATIONS

verb + “leave”

apply for
approve
authorize
be entitled to
be on
Verbs with “leave”
apply for leave  obtain leave 
,  Urlaub beantragen ,  Urlaub bekommen
be owed
approve leave  postpone leave  
cancel
,  Urlaub bewilligen ,  seinen Urlaub
get verschieben
authorize leave 
go on ,  Urlaub genehmigen put in for leave 
grant (sb.) be entitled to leave  ,  Urlaub anmelden
,  Anspruch auf Urlaub put sb. on leave 
haben ,  jmdn. beurlauben
obtain be on leave  request leave 
,  in Urlaub sein ,  um Urlaub bitten,
postpone
be owed leave  Urlaub beantragen
put in for
,  Urlaub ausstehen schedule leave 
put sb. on haben ,  seinen Urlaub planen/
request cancel leave  festlegen
,  seinen Urlaub spend leave , seinen
absagen/stornieren Urlaub verbringen
schedule get leave  take leave  
,  Urlaub bekommen ,  Urlaub nehmen
spend
go on leave  use leave  
take ,  in Urlaub gehen ,  seinen Urlaub nutzen
use grant (sb.) leave   use up (one’s) leave 
use up (one’s) ,  (jmdm.) Urlaub ,  seinen Urlaub
gewähren komplett nehmen

Not working
Illustration: Bernhard Förth

HR manager: I need you to cancel your leave next week. Could you
postpone it until next month?
Assistant: But I put in for leave three months ago, and you approved it.
HR manager: I know. But John has been put on leave now.
Assistant: If this continues, I won’t be able to use up my leave this year.
SKILL UP! 17 
 ESSENTIAL IDIOMS

What did they

say again? First, read the two
versions of the short
conversations. Then
English is rich in idiomatic cover up the idiomatic
expressions — and using them version and read the
can make your language sound simpler version again.
authentic and up to date. Hard to break Can you remember
that glass how to say the same
ceiling!
things idiomatically?
First, the idiomatic way
Julie: Look, every time I’m up for
promotion, I’m passed over. First, the idiomatic way
Paul: Are you chucking it all in? Julie: I won’t burn my bridges.
Julie: I am. I’ve tried for four years But I’ll say it’s difficult for women
now to break the glass ceiling, to climb the career ladder here.
but I’ve got nowhere. Paul: That will put the cat among
the pigeons. I’d love to be a fly on
Now, more simply the wall when you tell them.
Julie: Look, every time I’m con-
sidered for a better job, someone Now, more simply
else gets it. Julie: I won’t leave in a way that
Paul: Are you leaving? makes it impossible to come back.
Julie: I am. I’ve tried for four But I’ll say it’s difficult for women
years now to be the first woman to progress here.
Illustrationen: Aleutie, BoBaa22/Shutterstock.com

to reach a higher position in the Paul: That will cause trouble. I’d
company, but I failed. love to watch without anyone
seeing me when you tell them.
up for promotion: be ~  break the glass ceiling  
,  zur Beförderung ,  die gläserne Decke burn one’s bridges   put the cat among
anstehen durchbrechen ,  etwas Unwiderruf- the pigeons UK 
passed over: be ~   get nowhere   liches tun, die Brücken ,  für Aufregung
,  übergangen werden ,  nicht vorankommen (hinter sich) abreißen sorgen
chuck it all in ifml.   climb the career fly on the wall: be a ~  
,  alles hinschmeißen ladder , aufsteigen ,  Mäuschen spielen

18  SKILL UP!

 ESSENTIAL IDIOMS

Nobody needs to
clock in or out! Skill Up! Audio
You can do an
exercise on
Business Spotlight
First, the idiomatic way Audio.
HR manager: It’s great you’re
on board, Julie. Oh, did I say
that you don’t need to clock in
or clock out? Big Brother is not First, the idiomatic way
watching you here. Paul: Did they throw you in at
Julie: You did. That’s one of the the deep end?
reasons I decided to change sides. Julie: Not at all. Mark, my assis-
HR manager: Interesting. It tant, has been great. He’s shown
doesn’t mean you can knock off me the ropes and dished the dirt
early, though. on everyone!
Paul: Does he maybe have a hid-
Now, more simply den agenda?
HR manager: I’m delighted Julie: That’s a good question!
you’re part of the team, Julie. Oh,
did I say that you don’t need to Now, more simply
inform anyone when you arrive Paul: Did they make you deal
and leave? Big Brother is not with the job without any help?
watching you here. Julie: Not at all. Mark, my assis-
Julie: You did. That’s one of the tant, has been great. He’s shown
reasons I decided to leave my old me how things work and told me
company and join you. all the gossip on everyone!
HR manager: Interesting. It Paul: Does he maybe have a se-
doesn’t mean you can stop work cret reason for doing that?
early, though. Julie: That’s a good question!

on board: be ~ ifml.  change sides   throw sb. in at the dish the dirt (on sb.)
,  bei jmdm. sein, ,  die Seiten wechseln; deep end ifml.   ifml.  
dabei sein hier: den Arbeitsplatz ,  jmdn. ins kalte ,  (jmdn.) schlecht
clock in   wechseln Wasser werfen machen
, einstempeln knock off ifml.   show sb. the ropes have a hidden agenda  
clock out   ,  Feierabend machen ifml.  ,  jmdm. eine , Hintergedanken
,  ausstempeln Einführung geben haben

SKILL UP! 19 

 GRAMMAR CHECK

The dummy “there”

Knowledge of the basics of English grammar will help you to
communicate clearly and confidently. Here, we review why, when and
how to use the dummy “there” at the beginning of a clause.

We use the dummy there + be

at the beginning of a sentence or
clause to introduce new informa-
tion or the main information of
a sentence. We also use it to say
that something exists. This is why
we describe such clauses with the
dummy there + be structure as “ex-
istential clauses”.
T
 here’s a whole section on HR
1. Singular or plural? on the intranet.
The dummy there is simply a Is there a skill you need to im-
placeholder, or “dummy subject”, prove on?
for the “real” subject of the sen- There won’t be a training ses-
tence or clause. It is sometimes sion this week.
called an “empty subject”. As such, There have been several com-
the verb has to agree with the “real” plaints made about the noise.
subject of the sentence:
There is a coffee shop at the end 3. Modal forms
of the road. We can also use modal forms with
There are three coffee shops at this structure:
the end of the road. There should be more informa-
Illustration: Bernhard Förth

tion on the intranet.

2. All tenses There must have been 300 ap-
The dummy there + be structure is plicants.
used in all tenses and forms: There might be a better option
There were 500 applicants. for everyone.
20  SKILL UP!
 GRAMMAR CHECK

4. With quantifiers 7. Fixed phrases

We often use there + be with dif- The following are useful fixed ex-
ferent quantifiers, for example any, pressions with the dummy there:
some, much, many and several: There’s bound/certain/likely/
There are several problems sure to be some negative feed-
with the new personnel soft- back.
ware. There’s expected to be no short-
Are there any issues I should age of applicants.
know about? There’s supposed to be a meet-
There are many courses you ing today.
could take. There’s no point in applying
now.
5. With indefinite pronouns There’s no need to change the
This structure is also common time of the meeting.
with indefinite pronouns, such as
nobody, nothing, somebody and 8. Question tags
something: The dummy there can also appear
There’s something you could in a question tag:
do for me. There should be enough time,
There’s nothing we can do. shouldn’t there?
Is there somebody I could talk There aren’t any problems with
to about my review? this, are there?

6. Common verbs
There are a few verbs (appear, con-
tinue, happen, need, seem, tend,
INFORMALLY
used) that can stand between
there and to be: In informal spoken English,
we sometimes use there’s,
There appears/seems to be a
even though the following
mistake on the application. noun phrase is plural. How-
There tend to be many more ap- ever, this would be consi-
plications in the winter months. dered incorrect in formal
There used to be a canteen in writing or in an examination:
 here’s five people in each
T
this area.
office.

SKILL UP! 21 

 TEST

Test yourself!
See how well you know the words
and phrases presented in this
booklet by doing the exercises
below. Cover the answers at the
bottom of page 23.

1. Rewrite the sentences 2. What could you say in the

using the dummy “there”. following situations?

A. Eight people are in this A. You tell someone that they

office. can get in touch if they need
There more help.
.
B. A problem exists with the
software. B. You want to find out what
someone likes most about
There
their job.
.

C. Nobody will be in the office

tomorrow morning.
C. You want to check that your
There
partner has understood
.
what you have explained.
D. Do you have something

that you want to ask me?

there D. The HR manager has given
? you lots of tips and advice.
Illustration: Bernhard Förth

E. The document has a You want to show your

mistake in it. appreciation.
There
.

22  SKILL UP!

 TEST

3. Replace each German 4. Choose the correct words

word (in italics) in the to complete the sentences.
sentences below with the
correct English word. A. There’s always a problem
with absentia/
A. We can’t use that company. absenteeism in winter.
Their B. We have a great welfare/
(Kostenvoranschlag) was much wellbeing policy at the
higher than all the others. company.
B. The company C. If you have a grievance/
(feuerte) him when they grumble, you should
found out he was stealing contact HR immediately.
from his colleagues. D. The personnel/personal
C. How are you going to officer will explain the
(feiern) procedure to you.
ten years at the company? E. The headline/headcount
is slightly lower this year.
D. I
We have 125 full-time
(verdiene meinen Lebenshalt)
employees, and 28 part-
with my music.
time.

Answers:
1. A. There are eight people in this office. 3. 
A. quote; B. fired; C. celebrate;
B. There’s a problem with the software. D. earn a/my living
C. There won’t be anyone/ 4. 
A. absenteeism; B. welfare; C. grievance;
There’ll be nobody in the office tomorrow. D. personnel; E. headcount
D. Is there something/anything (that) you
want to ask me?
E. There’s a mistake in the document. Answers from page 3:
A. gross pay
2. A. Please contact me if you require any B. apprentice
additional support.
C. It means that someone works only if the
B. What do you like most about your job? employer needs them’ll. The contract doesn’t
C. Do you follow me? / guarantee or specify the number of hours that
Does that make sense? someone works.
D. I appreciate your support and guidance. D. It’s good. (perk = (Sonder-)Vergünstigung,
(Other answers are possible.) freiwillige Zusatzleistung des Arbeitgebers)
E. annual review
SKILL UP! 23 
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