acquire (v) /əˈkwaɪər/ buy or purchase something
: My company has acquired a new building.
: We acquired the raw materials at low prices.

acquire (v) /əˈkwaɪər/ learn a skill
: How long does it take to acquire a new language.
: She acquired a good knowledge of Japanese in one year.

acquisition (n) /ˌækwɪˈzɪʃn/ buying an asset or object
: We are excited about the acquisition of the new headquarters.
: We faced many problems during the process of acquisition.

admit (v) /ədˈmɪt/ to agree that something is true, right, or valid
: We have admitted our mistakes.
: You have to admit that she is right.

avoid (v) /əˈvɔɪd/ keep away from doing something
: We avoid using low-quality materials in our products.
: You should avoid drinking alcohol during business hours.

board of directors (n) /bɔːrd/-/əv/-/daɪˈrektərz/ a group of people who are elected by the shareholders to manage the affairs of the company
: The Board of Directors decided to hold their annual meeting behind closed doors.
: The new proposal was rejected by the board of directors.

borrow (v) /ˈbɔːrəʊ/ to take and use something that belongs to someone else with the intention of giving it back later 
: We borrowed money from the bank to purchase new equipment for our factory.
: I would like to know how much I can borrow for a home loan.

budget (n) /ˈbʌdʒɪt/ the amount of money that you have available to spend for a particular purpose
: The company is planning to reduce its budget for training programs.
: We need a higher budget for the new project.

budget (v)/ˈbʌdʒɪt/ to provide a certain amount of money for a particular purpose
: Our department has budgeted $250,000 for the new system.
: You need to learn how to budget if you don’t want to be in the red.

capital (n) /ˈkæpɪtl/ money, funds
: You don’t need to have much capital to start your own business.
: We need to attract foreign capital to grow our economy.

 collaborate (v) /kəˈlæbəreɪt/ work together, co-operate
: The manager collaborated with the design team on the new project.
: Two countries are collaborating to develop better trading systems.

collaboration (n) /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃn/ when you work with another person or group to produce something
: We created our training materials in collaboration with teachers.
: The production of the engine is the result of  collaboration between the two companies.

confirm (v) /kənˈfɜːrm/ affirm, assure
: He confirmed that there was no problem with the latest software.
: Would you please confirm the time of next Monday’s meeting?

confirmation (n) /ˌkɑːnfərˈmeɪʃn/ approval, validation
: We look forward to receiving your confirmation.
: I will email you as soon as I receive my flight confirmation.

consume (v) /kənˈsuːm/ use, eat, drink
: We are still consuming too much paper.
: How much electricity does your department consume?

consumption (n) /kənˈsʌmpʃn/ using, eating, drinking
: Oil consumption is slightly higher.
: Japan’s consumption tax was raised to 10 percent in 2019.

consumer (n) /kənˈsuːmər/ customer, buyer, shopper
: Consumers are not satisfied with the after-sales service.
: Consumer spending increased by 2% during the summer holidays.

convince (v) /kənˈvɪns/ to make someone believe that something is true
: Their reason for the late delivery didn’t convince me.
: We convinced the manager to buy new computers for the design department.

consensus (n) /kənˈsensəs/ a general agreement, agreement
: We couldn’t reach a consensus on oil prices.
: There is a lack of consensus among politicians.

deadline (n) /ˈdedlaɪn/ time limit, finishing date
: Our team wasn’t able to meet the deadline because of the strike.
: The deadline was approaching, so we had to work overtime.

dispatch (v) /dɪˈspætʃ/ send, ship
 : Two salesmen have been dispatched to Spain.
: I will dispatch your order as soon as I receive the payment.

distribute (v) /dɪˈstrɪbjuːt/ hand out, deliver
: We distribute our products using our company-owned trucks.
: You are allowed to distribute copies of free software.

downsize (v) /ˈdaʊnsaɪz/ reduce, decrease, lower
: The company is planning to downsize its employees by 20%.
: How to keep employees motivated after downsizing?

dress code (n) /dres/-/kəʊd/ the rules about what to wear in a particular situation
: What is your company’s dress code policy?
: My company decided to enforce a strict dress code.

estimate (v) /ˈestɪmeɪt/ guess, evaluate, judge
: Can you estimate how many workers we need to complete the project?
: Analysts estimate the company’s stock price will rise 10%.

exchange rate (n) /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/-/reɪt/ the value of a country’s currency compared to another currency
: A higher exchange rate makes it difficult to export our products.
: Changes in exchange rates affect import prices. 

export (v) /ˈekspɔːrt/ to send products or goods to another country
: My company exports seafood to Japan.
: Many of our products have been exported to overseas markets.

extend (v) /ɪkˈstend/ expand, lengthen, increase
: We have decided to extend our product range.
: I asked them to extend the deadline to March 25th.

feedback (n) /ˈfiːdbæk/ comments, response, advice
: You need to pay attention to customer feedback.
: Customer feedback helps you determine if your clients are satisfied with your products.

forecast (v) /ˈfɔːrkæst/ anticipate, predict
: The financial adviser forecasted that gold prices would fall further.
: Our president forecasts higher profits next year.

forecast (n) /ˈfɔːrkæst/ anticipation, prediction
: Sales forecasting is an essential part of our business.
: Economic forecasts are not always accurate.

import (v) /ˈɪmpɔːrt/ to bring in products or services from another country.
: We import raw materials from African countries.
: Meat products are imported from New Zealand.

import (n) /ˈɪmpɔːrt/ products or services that are brought in from another country
: Beef imports from New Zealand will be increased.
: You need an import license to import goods.

improve (v) /ɪmˈpruːv/ to make something better, get better
: What can we do to improve our business?
: We need to improve the quality of our products continually.

improvement (n) /ɪmˈpruːvmənt/ enhancement, refinement
: The new models have shown significant improvements.
: The company needs some good business improvement ideas.

inform (v) /ɪnˈfɔːrm/ tell, let someone know
: I will inform you of the price increase by the end of March.
: The president has informed us that he will retire next month.

inventory (n) /ˈɪnvəntɔːri/ list, record
: The company needs an inventory management system.
: Every six months, we take an inventory of everything in our shop.

invest (v) /ɪnˈvest/ put money into
: We invested heavily in Japanese stocks.
: I am interested in investing in Artificial Intelligence Technology.

investment (n) /ɪnˈvestmənt/ the action of investing money
: We need foreign investment to expand our business.
: Education is the best investment for your future.

invoice (n) /ˈɪnvɔɪs/ bill, receipt, charges, check
: I received an invoice for $ 125:00.
: We will send you an invoice for the total cost.

invoice (v) /ˈɪnvɔɪs/ charge, bill
: You will be invoiced for any damage to the rented apartment.
: We invoice our clients once a month.

launch /lɔːntʃ/ (n) the action of introducing a new product or service
: Many people attended the official launch of the Young Entrepreneurs Groups.
: We will soon announce the launch of our new website.

launch: (v) /lɔːntʃ/ introduce a new product or service
: The company is going to launch three new mobile phones.
: The company has already launched its latest collection of winter wear for women and men.

margin (n) /ˈmɑːrdʒɪn/the difference between the cost and the selling price of goods
: The margin on our products is between 40% to 70%.
: The company produces many low-cost products with high-profit margins.

merge (v) /mɜːrdʒ/ combine, unite
: Both companies plan to merge in April.
: The two departments merged last month.

merger (n) /ˈmɜːrdʒər/ combination, union
: What are the advantages of mergers?
: This mega-merger will create the largest insurance company in the U.S.

minutes (n) /ˈmɪnɪts/ a summary of what is said at a meeting
: Have you seen the minutes of our Monday meeting?
: Ask John to take the minutes of the meeting.

objective (n) /əbˈdʒektɪv/ aim, purpose, target
: What are your business objectives?
: The primary objective is to improve quality.

obtain (v) /əbˈteɪn/ get, gain
: Further information can be obtained from the head office.
: How can I obtain an import license?

outsource (v) /ˈaʊtsɔːs/ to ask someone from outside the company to do the work or supply goods for your company
: Some businesses outsource to cheaper locations to reduce costs.
: Thirty percent of my company’s manufacturing is outsourced.

overhead(s) (n) /ˈəʊvəhed/ regular money spent on (electricity, rent, water, phone, salaries, etc.) to keep your business running
: High overheads reduced our profits.
: We have to reduce our overheads to remain profitable.

personnel (n) /ˌpɜːsəˈnel/ the people who work for an organization or a company
: We need to increase female personnel to 30%.
: Could you please e-mail your resume to our personnel department?

prevent (v) /prɪˈvent/ to stop something from happening
: He tried hard to prevent his business from going bankrupt.
: We need to prevent information leakage.

prevention (n) /prɪˈvenʃn/ the action of stopping something from happening
: We should focus more on workplace injury prevention.
: Training new factory employees is essential for the prevention of accidents.

prioritize (v) /praɪˈɔːrətaɪz/ to decide to do the most important tasks first
: It is important to prioritize your most important tasks.
: We need to prioritize the needs of older people.

profit (v) /ˈprɑːfɪt/ make money, obtain financial advantage
: We have profited by selling our products internationally.
: Last year, we profited from a weaker dollar and the high volume of exports.

profit (n) /ˈprɑːfɪt/ financial gain
: The profit was divided among the investors.
: Our daily profit is around $3,000. 

promote (v) /prəˈməʊt/ advance, move up
: David was promoted to assistant manager last month.                             
: The government is trying to promote economic growth.

promotion (n) /prəˈməʊʃn/ advancement, moving up
: You can expect promotion if you improve your sales skills.
: There are a few ways to increase your chances of promotion.

purchase (v) /ˈpɜːrtʃəs/ buy, shop
: The company will allocate funds for the purchase of the new equipment.
: Keep all your receipts as proof of purchase.

purchase (n) ˈpɜːrtʃəs/ the action of buying something
: Customers often make purchase decisions based on price and quality.
: I made two online purchases yesterday.

recruit (v)/ rɪˈkruːt/ to find new people to work in a company or join an organization
 : Recruiting new employees begins in May.
 : There are plans to recruit new web designers next month. 

recruitment (n) /rɪˈkruːtmənt/ The action of finding new people to work in a company or join an organization
: We have been in the global recruitment market for over ten years.
: My wife works for a recruitment agency in London.

reduce (v) /rɪˈduːs/ make smaller, decrease
: Our aim is to reduce electricity use.
 : There are many ways to reduce business costs.

reduction (n) /rɪˈdʌkʃn/ cutting, lowering, scaling down
: During the Covid-19 pandemic, he faced a severe reduction in Income.
: There has been a slight reduction in oil prices.

respond (v) /rɪˈspɑːnd/ answer, reply to
: He hasn’t responded to my email yet.
: Companies usually respond to emails within 48 hours.

response (n) /rɪˈspɑːns/ an answer, action, or a reply
: Majority of customers expect a response within 48 hours.
: I am writing in response to your email of May 12th.

 revenue (n) /ˈrevənuː/ the amount of money a company receives in exchange for its goods and services, income
 : My company’s revenue increased for the third quarter.
 : The sales team has a plan to grow revenue by 25%.

strategy (n) /ˈstrætədʒi/ plan, plan of action
: Their strategy to increase sales was quite successful.
: There is a need for new strategies to reduce business costs.