ESL Podcast 928 - Understanding Corporate Structure
organizational chart - a diagram or image that shows the structure of an organization and the relationships among its positions or jobs
This organizational chart shows that the three vice presidents work under the CEO.
to bone up - to study a lot, often trying to improve in a short period of time; to improve one's skills
Paula boned up on her knowledge of driving laws before taking the driving test.
flow chart - a diagram or image showing how a process works, including what needs to happen or be achieved first before the next steps
The students' flow chart shows the process of a plant's growth from a seed.
board of directors - a group of people who make the most important decisions for a company or large organization
The museum's board of directions decided to reduce expenses by ending evening programs.
managing director - CEO; the highest-level administrator in an organization in charge of managing the entire organization
The managing director will give a speech outlining our new goals for this year.
executive officer - a high-level member of a company or organization who is responsible for the running of an organization or a large section of it, making important decisions
The three executive officers met to decide which departments will get extra funding next year.
to oversee - to supervise; to make sure that employees do their work and/or that work gets completed
Who will oversee the renovations in this apartment complex?
department - a part or section of a large organization dealing with a specific topic or area of responsibility
The accounting department is located on the second floor and the marketing department is on the third floor.
daily operations - the everyday activities of a company or organization
Don't bother the president of the company with small questions about daily operations.
accounting - the department within an organization that keeps of financial accounts showing money that comes into and out of the organization and how it moves within the organization
If you didn't receive your paycheck this week, you'll need to speak to someone in accounting.
marketing - the department within an organization that promotes and advertises products or services
The marketing department wants to include social networking as a major part of the marketing campaign.
purchasing - the department within an organization that buys the products necessary within an organization
I'm not in charge of buying for the company. Speak with the purchasing department.
personnel - the department within an organization that handles the hiring and firing of employees, and other matters related to employment
The personnel department can tell you how many vacation days you have remaining this year.
R & D - research and development; the department within an organization that conducts research and testing to develop new products or services
R & D is working on a new product that the entire company is excited about.
sales - the department within an organization that deals with customers or clients, helping them purchase products and services from one's company
This sales report shows that we're selling more units this year than last year.
production - the department within an organization that makes or produces the products that are sold
Everyone is surprised at the popularity of our new product and the production department is working overtime to produce more for sale.
to get (something) straight - to clarify; to understand something that is confusing or unclear
Let me get this straight. You're quitting your job to join a rock band?
to have a point - to have said something important or worthwhile to communicate; to have said something worth paying attention to
You have a point there. I should find another job before I quit this one.