Video Of the Moment : Movie – Wall Street “Greed is Good!”

At the shareholder's meeting, Gekko (Michael Douglas) announces that "greed is good."

corporate (adj)	-	relating to large companies, or to a particular large company Example: Coca-Cola's corporate headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia Related terms: a corporation, corporate America (= big businesses in America), corporate culture
unfit (adj. – superlative form used in video : unfittest)	-	not having the right qualities to do a particular job or activity (Ex. an unfit mother) Synonyms: incompetent, incapable ≠ fit
survival of the fittest (Evolutionary theory)	-	the idea that your survival depends on competing successfully within your environment with other creatures of your own type Example: In business, it’s the survival of the fittest
in my book (expression)	-	used when giving your strong opinion about something Example: She’s the best teacher in this school, in my book.
a deal	-	a formal agreement, especially in business or politics Related terms to show a successful deal: do/cut/make/reach/ strike a deal (with someone) ; a deal goes through Related term to show a deal couldn’t be made: a deal falls through
to be involved with something	-	to be connected with Example: He denied that he was involved with organized crime.
a stockholder (American) / a shareholder (British)	-	someone who owns stocks (=equal parts into which a company’s money is divided) in a company.
greed	-	a strong wish to have more money, things, or power than you need Example: a growing culture of corporate greed (=the greed of large companies);  their greed for power
for lack of something	-	a situation in which you do not have any, or enough, of something that you need or want Example:  We couldn’t find her passport, but it wasn’t for lack of trying (=we tried hard to find it).
to cut through something	-	1. to deal quickly and effectively with something that causes problems or is confusing; 2. to make a path through something by cutting Example: 1. We need to cut through the political rhetoric and see what really lies behind the policy. 2. He cut his way through the jungle with a machete.
upward (adj.)	-	moving or turned toward a higher position
a surge	-	a sudden increase
mankind	-	all humans considered as a single group. Note: Some people avoid using this word because they think it is offensive to women, and they use ‘humankind’ instead Synonyms: humankind, the human race
mark my words (expression)	-	used for telling someone to listen carefully to what you are saying, especially because you will be proved right in the future Example: President Obama will not be reelected in 2012, mark my words.
malfunctioning (adj.)	-	not working or operating correctly Synonyms: failing, flopping ≠ functioning, working, successful

Featured Podcast : Half of US Jobs Now Held by Women (VOA News)

This is the VOA Special English Economics Report. (19 Nov 2009) - http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2009-11-19-voa3.cfm

To download the MP3 audio file to the report, right click with your mouse HERE

 

Women are on their way to holding more than half of all American jobs. The latest government report shows that their share of nonfarm jobs nearly reached fifty percent in September. Not only have more and more women entered the labor market over the years, but the recession has been harder on men. In October the unemployment rate for men was almost eleven percent, compared to eight percent for women.

Industries that traditionally use lots of men have suffered deep cuts. For example, manufacturing and building lost more jobs last month. But health care and temporary employment services have had job growth. Both of those industries employ high percentages of women.

Thirty years ago, women earned sixty-two cents for every dollar that men earned. Now, for those who usually work full time, women earn about eighty percent of what men earn. And women hold fifty-one percent of good-paying management and professional jobs.

Yet a study released Thursday said men still hold about nine out of every ten top positions at the four hundred largest companies in California. The results have remained largely unchanged in five years of studies from the University of California, Davis.

Also, a new research paper in the journal Sex Roles looks at the experiences of women who are the main earners in their family. Rebecca Meisenbach at the University of Missouri in Columbia interviewed fifteen women. She found they all valued their independence and many enjoyed having the power of control, though not all wanted it.

But they also felt pressure, worry and guilt. Partly that was because of cultural expectations that working women will still take care of the children. Also, men who are not the main earners may feel threatened.

The job market continues to suffer the effects of last year's financial crash. Now, a judgment has been reached in the first case involving charges of criminal wrongdoing on Wall Street.

Last week, the government lost its case against two managers at Bear Stearns, the first investment bank to fail last year. A jury found Ralph Cioffi and Matthew Tannin not guilty of lying to investors.

The hedge funds they supervised lost their value in two thousand seven. But jurors said there was no clear evidence that they meant to mislead investors.

The Justice Department continues to investigate other companies.

And that's the VOA Special English Economics Report, written by Mario Ritter. I'm Steve Ember.

Culture Spot: Doing Business in England

http://www.morebusiness.com/running_your_business/management/d928776493.brc

Doing business in England can be a disconcerting affair.

Aside from the obvious and much-publicized cultural differences, American executives doing business in the British Isles are placed in the peculiar position of speaking a common language but meaning things that are entirely different from the British interpretation.

Say you want to "table" a meeting. A British executive will think you want to begin the discussion, rather than postpone it. Bringing your "English" English up to speed before doing business there can save you many misunderstandings.

Dress as conservatively as you can. A suit is always appropriate. Men should wear laced shoes, not loafers. Wear shirts with no pockets. If you must have pockets, make sure they are empty. Avoid striped ties; many British regimental ties are striped, and yours may look like an imitation.

Make it a point to be punctual -- the English are very particular about time keeping. To be late is considered inconsiderate and discourteous. In larger cities like London, traffic can crawl at snails pace so leave yourself plenty of time to get to your appointments. If a delay is unavoidable, be sure to call and inform your associate that you will be late, and remember to ask whether this is convenient.

Greet your business associate with a firm handshake; this is acceptable for both business and social occasions. If your associate is a woman, wait for her to extend her hand first. Women do not necessarily shake hands.

Business lunches are usually conducted in a pub -- the meal itself will be light. Senior executives, however, typically dine at the finest restaurants or in the company's executive dining room. Dinner is from 7 to 11 p.m. in most restaurants. When you socialize with your associates, do not bring up the topic of work unless they do; you will be considered a bore. If you are their guest, you must initiate your departure -- your hosts will not indicate that they wish the evening to come to an end.

Do not carry gifts with you; they are not part of doing business in England. Instead of gifts, invite your hosts out for a meal or a show. Anything else is considered inappropriate.

Finally, remember that decision-making is slower in England than in the United States. Don't try and rush your prospects into making a decision -- chances are they will be offended and turn your proposal down.

Published June 18, 1999

bore – quelqu’un ennuyeux

bring up – aborder, parler de

bring up to speed – mettre à jour, mettre au courant

crawl at a snail’s pace – rouler à une allure d’escargot

delay – un retard

extend - tendre

greet – saluer

handshake – une poignée de main

loafers – des mocassins

make it a point – faire exprès

postpone – reporter

prospect – un client potentiel

socialize – rencontrer des gens

turn down – refuser, rejeter