Advanced English Conversations (2) - Robert Allans, Matt Edie, A. Mustafaoglu 2020

Set 13 - The business is on shaky ground

Bill: Before we get into this debate, let's get something straight — we are to focus solely on the topic at hand, so no deviating from it into unrelated subjects.

Thomas: I know what you’re going to talk about. You will say the business is on shaky ground and going downhill.

Well; we both know that our company has a profitable niche, but its niche may be shrinking as sales are dwindling everywhere due to market fluctuations.

Bill: Right! The point is our income and expenses are swinging up and down a lot each month. Our accounts are apparently wrong. We have to address this issue and fix it. Don’t we?

Thomas: This process entails adjusting our polices. Moreover, I’ve recently observed that we are going hard on our employees. Managers are cracking down hard on minor things like when an employee is 30 seconds late from lunch, taking unauthorized bathroom breaks and the like. Such practices make people indignant and unproductive.

Bill: Seriously! Now I understand why they are very resentful these days. We have to rectify the situation before things spiral out of control.

Vocabulary;

get something straight: to make a situation clear, especially by reaching an understanding.

at hand: currently in need of addressing.

deviate from: to depart or stray from some subject or matter of discussion.

on shaky ground: unstable; weak and likely to break down, collapse, or fail.

go downhill: to decline and grow worse and worse.

niche: an area or position that is exactly suitable for a small group of the same type.

dwindle: to become smaller in size or amount, or fewer in number.

swing: to change and fluctuate.

address: to give attention to or deal with a matter or problem.

go/be hard on: to criticize someone in a way that is unfair, or to be too strict with them.

crack down: to increase the intensity or severity involved in punishing or repressing someone.

unauthorized: not having official permission or approval.

rectify: to correct something or make something right.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases or words;

1. In the early 90's, the combination of the S&L crisis and a local market slump had put the co-op market on .......... ground.

2. The police are doing a good job by cracking .......... on the street gangs.

3. Every effort is made to .......... any errors/mistakes before the book is printed.

4. You better come to the hospital right away—Great-Uncle Edmund's health had really gone ..........

5. This .......... biography of the star has sold over 10,000 copies in its first week in print.

6. You have to join today’s meeting. The issue of funding has yet to be ..........

7. As he gets lots of messages, his mood .......... between elation and despair.

8. Her hopes of success in the race .......... last night as the weather became worse.

9. They found a .......... by selling their line of leather goods through small boutiques that could offer personalized service.

10. Most successful entrepreneurs are .......... on themselves, in the sense that they are never easily satisfied.

11. The idea that firms deliberately .......... from strategies that fit their environments, is not new.

12. I know you all want to chat, but we need to focus on the matter at .......... — planning next week's assembly.

13. Let's get something .........: I am the boss, and you are the employee, which means that when I ask you to do something, you're expected to do it.

1. shaky 2. down 3. rectify 4. downhill 5. unauthorized 6. addressed 7. swings 8. dwindled 9. niche 10. hard 11. deviate 12. hand 13. straight