Lesson 3 - How to Fire an Underperformer Flashcards
to make the company more efficient
to improve efficiency by getting rid of processes, materials, retail outlets, or people that aren’t useful
TO STREAMLINE OPERATIONS
Tenco is streamlining operations by shutting down one of its factories and cutting 20 percent of its workforce.
- to fire or lay off employees to improve profitability
2. to cut back; to make smaller
TO DOWNSIZE
- With demand for computers down, Dell was forced to downsize.
- Dennis and Michelle decided to downsize by selling their four-bedroom house and moving into a small apartment.
pressured to do sth
UNDER THE GUN
Kevin is under the gun to make his division profitable by the end of this year.
employees
people working at a company
STAFFERS
Hewlett-Packard’s senior managers keep staffers informed of news at the company during weekly meetings.
to face a difficult task
to have a lot of work to do
TO HAVE ONE’S WORK CUT OUT FOR ONE
Next year, our department is supposed to come up with 12 new products. We have our work cut out for us.
at risk
ON THE LINE
After hearing rumors that his company is going to start cutting costs, Tim is worried that his job is on the line.
(a polite way of saying) to fire or lay someone off
TO LET SOMEONE GO
With business down, the small advertising agency had to let five account managers go.
strict instructions from the management of an organization
MARCHING ORDERS
The CEO gave the manufacturing director his marching orders: figure out how to cut product costs by 25 percent.
generating profit
IN THE BLACK
After four years of losing money, Ford was back in the black again in 2009.
savings
money put away (such as for retirement)
NEST EGG
When the stock market declined sharply in 2008, Jason’s nest egg shrank from $1 million to $350,000.
actively looking for a job
ON THE JOB MARKET
After being on the job market for a year and not finding anything, Chad decided to start his own business.
to not recognize how skilled, talented, or valuable one really is
TO SELL ONESELF/ONE SHORT
Joanne’s career adviser told her not to sell herself short during her job interviews.
pay and benefits given to an employee who is asked to leave the company
SEVERANCE PACKAGE
Pfizer gave Ed a generous severance package when they closed the research and development facility where he worked.
