Learning Business vocabulary

Collaboration

the act of working together to achieve a common goal

Productivity

the rate at which work is completed or goods are produced

Micromanagement

excessive control or attention to detail in managing a project or team

Work-life balance

the balance between work and personal life, including time spent with family, friends, and hobbies

Diversity

the range of differences within a workplace, including differences in race, gender, ethnicity, and age

Burnout

a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress or overwork

Inclusivity

the practice of creating an environment where everyone feels valued and included, regardless of differences

Flexibility

the ability to adjust to changing circumstances or work arrangements, such as remote work or flexible schedules

Morale

the overall mood or level of enthusiasm within a workplace

Professional development

activities that help employees improve their skills, knowledge, and expertise in their field.

Business plan

a document outlining a company's goals, strategies, and plans for achieving success.

Revenue

the total amount of money generated by a business from its sales.

Profit

the amount of money left over after deducting expenses from revenue.

Marketing

the process of promoting and selling products or services.

Sales

the act of selling products or services to customers.

Customer

a person or organization that buys goods or services from a business.

Supplier

a person or organization that provides goods or services to a business.

Budget

a financial plan that outlines expected income and expenses for a specific period.

Investment

the act of putting money into a business or project with the expectation of making a profit.

Return on investment (ROI)

the amount of profit made as a percentage of the initial investment.

Cash flow

the movement of money into and out of a business.

Balance sheet

a financial statement that shows a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time.

Income statement

a financial statement that shows a company's revenue, expenses, and profit over a specific period.

Human resources

the department within a company that manages personnel-related issues such as hiring, training, and compensation.

Leadership

the ability to inspire and guide others towards achieving a common goal.

Assets

Any resources owned by a company that have economic value and can be used to generate revenue.

Liabilities

The debts and obligations that a company owes to others.

Equity

The value of an asset after all debts and liabilities have been paid off.

Balance sheet

A financial statement that shows a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time.

Income statement

A financial statement that shows a company's revenues, expenses, and net income over a period of time.

Cash flow

The movement of cash into and out of a company, including cash received from sales, investments, and financing, and cash spent on expenses, investments, and debt payments.

Return on investment (ROI)

A measure of the profitability of an investment, calculated as the net income from the investment divided by its cost.

Capital

The financial resources that a company uses to invest in projects, operations, or other ventures.

Debt

Money borrowed by a company that must be repaid, usually with interest.

Credit

The ability of a company or individual to borrow money or obtain goods or services on credit.

Interest

The cost of borrowing money, usually expressed as a percentage of the amount borrowed.

Stock

A share of ownership in a company, usually traded on a stock exchange.

Dividend

A payment made by a company to its shareholders, usually a portion of its profits.

Bond

A type of debt security in which an investor loans money to a company or government and receives regular interest payments and the return of the principal at the end of the bond's term.

Derivative

A financial instrument whose value is based on the value of an underlying asset, such as a stock, commodity, or currency.

Branding

The process of creating a unique name, design, and image for a product or company to differentiate it from competitors.

Advertising

The process of promoting a product or service through various forms of media, such as television, radio, print, or digital.

Market research

The process of gathering and analyzing information about a target market, including its needs, preferences, and behavior.

Target audience

The specific group of consumers that a product or service is aimed at.

Positioning

The process of creating a distinctive image and reputation for a product or brand in the minds of consumers.

Marketing mix

The combination of product, price, promotion, and distribution strategies used to market a product or service.

Segmentation

The process of dividing a larger market into smaller groups based on shared characteristics or interests.

Promotion

The various activities used to communicate and promote a product or service, including advertising, sales promotions, public relations, and personal selling.

Sales funnel

The process that a customer goes through from initial awareness of a product or service to making a purchase.

Customer acquisition

The process of acquiring new customers through various marketing and sales strategies.

Customer retention

The process of keeping existing customers engaged and satisfied with a product or service, often through customer service and loyalty programs.

Call to action (CTA)

A marketing message or prompt that encourages a customer to take a specific action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.

Content marketing

The process of creating and sharing valuable, relevant, and engaging content to attract and retain a target audience.

Influencer marketing

A marketing strategy that involves partnering with influencers or individuals who have a large following or influence on social media to promote a product or service.

Viral marketing

A marketing strategy that relies on creating content or messages that spread quickly and organically through social media or other online channels.

Recruitment

The process of finding, attracting, and hiring qualified candidates for open job positions.

Onboarding

The process of integrating new employees into a company and helping them become productive and engaged.

Talent management

The process of identifying, developing, and retaining key employees who have the potential to contribute to a company's success.

Performance appraisal

A process in which an employee's performance is evaluated by a supervisor or manager, usually based on established performance goals and criteria.

Compensation

The total amount of money and benefits that an employee receives in exchange for their work.

Benefits

Non-wage rewards that employees receive, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Diversity and inclusion

The practice of creating a workplace that is welcoming to people of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Employee engagement

The level of commitment and enthusiasm that employees have for their work and their employer.

Training and development

The process of providing employees with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to perform their job duties effectively.

Succession planning

The process of identifying and developing employees who have the potential to move into leadership roles within a company.

Human capital

The knowledge, skills, and abilities that employees bring to a company, and the value that they create through their work.

Employee turnover

The rate at which employees leave a company and are replaced by new hires.

Labor laws

Laws and regulations that govern the relationship between employers and employees, such as minimum wage laws and anti-discrimination laws.

Organizational culture

The shared values, beliefs, and practices that define the identity and character of a company.

Employee relations

The process of managing the relationships between employers and employees, including resolving disputes and maintaining a positive workplace culture.

Bookkeeping

The process of recording and maintaining a company's financial transactions, such as sales, purchases, and payments.

Ledger

A record of a company's financial transactions that is used to prepare financial statements.

Chart of accounts

A list of all the accounts that a company uses to record its financial transactions.

Double-entry bookkeeping

A bookkeeping method that requires each financial transaction to be recorded in at least two accounts to ensure that the books remain balanced.

Journal

A record of a company's financial transactions that is used to prepare the ledger.

Trial balance

A report that lists all the accounts in a company's ledger and their balances to ensure that the books remain balanced.

Debit

An entry in an account that represents an increase in assets or a decrease in liabilities or equity.

Credit

An entry in an account that represents a decrease in assets or an increase in liabilities or equity.

Balance sheet

A financial statement that reports a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time.

Income statement

A financial statement that reports a company's revenues and expenses over a period of time.

Cash basis accounting

A bookkeeping method that records transactions when cash is received or paid out.

Accrual basis accounting

A bookkeeping method that records transactions when they occur, regardless of when cash is received or paid out.

Accounts payable

The amounts that a company owes to its vendors or suppliers.

Accounts receivable

The amounts that a company is owed by its customers.

General ledger

The central repository of all the accounts used in a company's bookkeeping system.

Internal control

The policies, procedures, and processes that a company uses to safeguard its assets, ensure the accuracy of its financial statements, and comply with laws and regulations.

Compliance audit

An audit conducted to evaluate a company's compliance with laws, regulations, and industry standards.

Noncompliance

The failure of a company to comply with laws, regulations, or industry standards.

Material weakness

A deficiency in a company's internal controls that could result in a material misstatement in its financial statements.

Logistics

The process of planning, implementing, and controlling the movement of goods and services from the point of origin to the point of consumption.

Supply chain

The network of businesses, individuals, and organizations involved in the creation and delivery of a product or service.

Transportation

The movement of goods or people from one place to another, often by land, sea, or air.

Warehousing

The storage and management of goods in a warehouse or distribution center.

Inventory

The stock of goods or materials that a company has on hand or in transit.

Distribution

The process of delivering goods or services to customers or retail locations.

Freight

Goods or materials that are transported by ship, truck, train, or plane.

Customs

The government agency responsible for regulating the import and export of goods across international borders.

Freight forwarding

The process of arranging the transportation of goods on behalf of a company or individual.

Carrier

A company or individual that provides transportation services, such as a shipping company or trucking company.

Bill of lading

A document that serves as a contract between the shipper and carrier for the transportation of goods.

Incoterms

International trade terms that define the responsibilities of the buyer and seller for the delivery of goods.

Logistics management

The process of planning, implementing, and controlling the movement of goods and services to meet customer requirements.

Third-party logistics (3PL)

A company that provides logistics services on behalf of another company, such as warehousing, transportation, or distribution.

Reverse logistics

The process of managing the return of goods from the point of consumption to the point of origin, often for recycling, repair, or disposal.

Business law

The body of law that governs commercial and business transactions.

Contract

A legally binding agreement between two or more parties that sets out the terms and conditions of a business transaction.

Intellectual property

The legal rights associated with creative works, such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

Trademark

A symbol, word, or phrase used to identify and distinguish a company's goods or services from those of others.

Patent

A legal right granted to an inventor that gives them the exclusive right to make, use, and sell an invention for a certain period of time.

Copyright

A legal right granted to the creator of an original work that gives them the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and display the work.

Trade secret

Confidential information that gives a company a competitive advantage and is not generally known to the public.

Tort

A civil wrong that causes harm or injury to another person, such as negligence or defamation.

Liability

Legal responsibility for the consequences of one's actions or omissions.

Business ethics

The principles and standards that guide ethical behavior in the business world.

Employment law

The body of law that governs the rights and obligations of employers and employees.

Discrimination

Treating someone unfairly because of their race, gender, religion, or other characteristic that is protected by law.

Contract law

The body of law that governs the formation and enforcement of contracts.

Securities law

The body of law that governs the issuance and trading of stocks, bonds, and other securities.

Bankruptcy

The legal process by which a person or company that cannot pay their debts is relieved of their financial obligations.