ESL Podcast 588 - Hiring Business Consultants
consultant - a person whose job is to give advice on a particular topic, based on his or her knowledge and experience; a person hired to complete a job or a project for a company, but is not the company's employee
They hired a team of consultants to review the security of their website.
expansion - growth; an increase in the size, scope, or reach of something
Our business has seen a lot of expansion this past year, having opened more than 20 new stores.
expertise - specialized knowledge and experience related to a particular topic so that one knows more about something than most people do
Beatrice is a talented web designer with expertise in Flash.
as needed - according to one's needs; when and how one needs something; only when needed
Take this pain medication as needed, but not more than four doses every 24 hours.
benefits - things given to employees for their work in addition to money, such as health insurance, retirement savings, and more
Many people want to work for the State, because they can get great benefits.
what's not to like - a phrase used when one believes that a particular action or decision will have only positive results and there is no reason not to do that thing
One of the top schools in the country has offered you a full scholarship and a great job as a research assistant. What's not to like?
no-brainer - something that is very obviously good or bad and doesn't need to be thought about at all because one already knows what to do
For us, moving out of the city and onto a farm was a no-brainer.
to call the shots - to make the decisions; to be the decision-maker; to decide and control when and how something will be done
Once you become an adult, you can call the shots. Until then, you need to listen to your parents.
to terminate - to end something; to make something stop
The landlord terminated their lease because they missed two rent payments.
company loyalty - the feeling of being part of a company and wanting to help that company succeed, not leaving to work for or do business with another company
The bank encourages company loyalty by treating its employees and customers very well.
to leave (someone) in a lurch - to abandon someone when he or she needs one's help; to stop helping someone at an important time, putting him or her in a difficult position
Drake quit his job just a few hours before he was supposed to give an investor presentation, leaving the company in a lurch.
a thing of the past - something that used to happen, but no longer exists; something that has disappeared with time
Writing letters is a thing of the past. Most people prefer email now.
to take (something) one step at a time - to do something gradually, slowly, and methodically; to do something in small, ordered pieces
Let's take this relationship one step at a time and date for a few months before we start talking about living together.
to contract - to sign a contract with someone, especially to receive professional services for a certain period of time
They contracted an architect to design a new guest bedroom for their home.
to be able to live with (something) - to believe that something is acceptable, although it isn't one's first choice; to be able to accept a compromise
That isn't the salary I was hoping for, but I can live with it as long as the company gives me enough vacation time.
to drag (one's) feet - to do something very slowly; to delay or procrastinate
Whenever the kids need to clean their room, they drag their feet and it ends up taking all afternoon.
to tow (someone or something) along - to pull someone or something in a particular direction
The children didn't want to go to church, but we towed them along with us.