I made this glossary to help people understand all of these complicated words in the world of economy so that people can use them.
agent
noun
A person who does business for another person.
Example: You are buying direct, rather than through an agent.
en: agent(e)
bankrupt
noun
When a person or organization declared in law is unable to pay outstanding debts.
Example: They have met to consider declaring the firm bankrupt.
en: faillite
benchmarking
noun
Comparing one's products to those of competitors in order to improve quality and performance.
Example: This company uses benchmarking to study the competition.
en: analyse comparative
bookkeeping
noun
The activity or occupation of keeping records of the financial affairs of a business.
Example: Dean spent the balance of the afternoon doing bookkeeping for the lodging establishment.
en: tenue de livre compte
broker
noun
A person who buys and sells goods or assets for others.
Example: The next big step to take is deciding on a broker.
en: courtier
budget
noun
An estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time.
Example: The school obviously needs to balance the budget each year.
en: Budget
cold call
a noun or a verb
An unsolicited visit or telephone call made by someone trying to sell goods or services.
Example: My job was to cold call people and make appointments for sales people.
en: appel à froid
commodity
noun
A raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee.
Example: In that year he purchased a quantity of the rare and much-prized commodity, and offered it to the public.
en: marchandise
corporation
noun
An association of individuals, having a continuous existence independent of its members and with powers and liabilities distinct from those of its members.
Example: Three companies were amalgamated into a corporation.
en: société
cubicle
noun
A small partitioned-off area of an office containing a desk.
Example: He's working in the cubicle.
en: cabine
dividend
noun
A portion of a company's earnings which is paid to the shareholders or stockholders on a quarterly or annual basis.
Example: Last month the bank said it would pay its first dividend since the crisis.
en: dividende
downsizing
verb
Making a company smaller by eliminating staff positions through lay-offs.
Example: American manufacturing organizations have been downsizing their factories.
en: réduction des effectifs
franchise
noun
An association between a wholesaler and an independent business person who buys the right to own and operate a branded retail unit for the wholesaler's products.
Example: They can't stop debating on the franchise.
en: franchise
freight
noun
Goods transported by truck, train, ship, aircraft.
Example: The move comes as property companies scramble to control freight and transport hubs across Europe.
en: fret
goodwill
noun
An intangible, salable asset arising from the reputation of a business and its relations with its costumers, distinct from the value of its stock and other tangible asset.
Example: He has goodwill toward all his friends.
en: bonne volonté
headquarters
noun
A center of operations or administration.
Example: The company's national headquarters is in Canada.
en: quartier général
invoice
noun
A list of goods sent or services provided, with a statement of the sum due for these; a bill.
Example: For the rest of us, surrounding yourself with invoices, receipts and statements sounds horrendous.
en: facture
launch
verb
To introduce a new product into a market with advertisement or publicity.
Example: He's about to launch his company.
en: lancement
loan
noun
A sum of money lent with interest.
Example: She needed money, so she asked me for a loan.
en: prêt
market
noun
An area such as a country or part of a country where product or service can be sold.
Example: They're going to buy candy at the market.
en: marché
overdraft
noun
A deficit in a bank account caused by drawing more money than the account holds.
Example: The bank charges interest in case of overdraft.
en: découvert
retailer
noun
A business or person that sells goods to the consumer, as opposed to a wholesaler or supplier, who normally sell their goods to another business.
Example: The retailer has been able to sell a wide variety of clothing and accessories to the curvy consumer.
en: détaillant(e)
survey
noun
To ask a series of questions in order to gather information about what most people do or think about something.
Example: The following is the result of a survey I conducted a few years ago.
en: enquête
trade
noun
The activity or process of buying, selling, or exchanging goods or services.
Example: Carigara is open to coast trade, exports large quantities of hemp, raises much rice, and manufactures cotton and abaca fabrics.
en: commerce
warranty
noun
A written guarantee, issued to the purchaser of an article by its manufacturer, promising to repair or replace it if necessary within specified period of time.
Example: f the warranty is limited, the terms may entitle you to a replacement or refund.
