100 commonly used terms, meanings, and expressions in international business

Learn the most useful terms and expressions for international business will be beneficial for their professional development. Here’s a list of 100 commonly used terms, meanings, and expressions in international business:

1. Acquisition – The act of one company buying another company.
2. Assets – All the resources, such as cash, property, and investments, owned by a business.
3. Balance sheet – A financial statement that shows a company’s assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity at a specific point in time.
4. Benchmarking – Comparing a company’s performance or practices against industry standards or competitors.
5. Board of Directors – A group of individuals elected by shareholders to oversee and make important decisions for a company.
6. Branding – The process of creating and promoting a unique name, logo, or image for a product or company.
7. B2B (Business-to-Business) – The exchange of goods, services, or information between businesses rather than between a business and individual consumers.
8. B2C (Business-to-Consumer) – The exchange of goods, services, or information between a business and individual consumers.
9. Business ethics – Moral principles and values that guide the behavior and decision-making of individuals and organizations in a business context.
10. Cash flow – The movement of money into and out of a business, including revenue, expenses, and investments.
11. Code of conduct – A set of guidelines or rules that outline acceptable behavior and practices within an organization.
12. Competitive advantage – A unique feature or attribute that sets a company apart from its competitors and gives it an edge in the market.
13. Corporate culture – The values, beliefs, and behaviors that characterize an organization and influence its employees’ actions.
14. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) – A company’s commitment to operating in an ethical and sustainable manner while considering its impact on society and the environment.
15. Customer relationship management (CRM) – Strategies and technologies used to manage interactions and relationships with customers.
16. Due diligence – The process of investigating and assessing the financial, legal, and operational aspects of a business before a transaction or partnership.
17. E-commerce – The buying and selling of goods or services over the internet.
18. Entrepreneurship – The activity of starting, managing, and running a business, taking on financial risks in the hope of making a profit.
19. Export – Sending goods or services to another country for sale.
20. Financial statement – A document that summarizes a company’s financial activities, such as income, expenses, and cash flow.
21. Globalization – The increasing interconnectedness and integration of economies, markets, and cultures on a global scale.
22. Import – Bringing goods or services from another country for sale or use.
23. Intellectual property – Intangible assets, such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights, that provide legal protection for original creations or ideas.
24. Joint venture – A business partnership between two or more companies to undertake a specific project or activity.
25. Key performance indicators (KPIs) – Quantifiable measures used to evaluate the success or performance of a business or specific goals.
26. Leadership – The ability to guide, inspire, and influence others toward achieving a common goal or vision.
27. Logistics – The management of the flow of goods, services, and information between the point of origin and the point of consumption.
28. Market research – The process of gathering and analyzing data about customers, competitors, and market trends to make informed business decisions.
29. Merger – The combination of two or more companies to form a single entity.
30. Mission statement – A concise statement that defines the purpose and direction of an organization.
31. Negotiation – The process of reaching an agreement through discussion and compromise.
32. Offshoring – The practice of relocating business activities or operations to another country to take advantage of lower costs or specialized resources.
33. Outsourcing – Contracting a third-party company to perform specific tasks or functions that were previously done in-house.
34. Profit margin – The percentage of revenue that remains as profit after deducting expenses.
35. Quota – A restriction or limit on the quantity of goods that can be imported or exported.
36. Recession – A period of economic decline characterized by a decrease in economic activity, production, and spending.
37. Return on investment (ROI) – A measure of the profitability of an investment, calculated as the ratio of net profit to the initial investment.
38. Risk management – The process of identifying, assessing, and prioritizing potential risks and implementing strategies to mitigate or minimize them.
39. Stakeholder – An individual or group with an interest or involvement in the activities and outcomes of a business.
40. Supply chain – The network of organizations, resources, activities, and technologies involved in the production and distribution of goods or services.
41. SWOT analysis – An evaluation of a company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
42. Target market – The specific group of consumers or businesses that a company aims to reach with its products or services.
43. Trade agreement – A formal agreement between two or more countries to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade.
44. Value proposition – The unique benefits or value that a product or service offers to customers compared to competitors.
45. Venture capital – Capital provided to startups or small businesses by investors in exchange for equity or ownership in the company.
46. Vision statement – A statement that describes the desired future state or goals of an organization.
47. Wholesaler – A business that purchases goods in bulk from manufacturers and sells them to retailers or other businesses.
48. Brand equity – The commercial value and recognition associated with a brand name, logo, or image.
49. Cultural sensitivity – The awareness and understanding of cultural differences, norms, and values when conducting business across different cultures.
50. Direct investment – The investment of capital in a foreign country to establish or expand business operations.
51. Exchange rate – The rate at which one currency can be exchanged for another.
52. Free trade – The absence of trade barriers, such as tariffs, quotas, or restrictions, between countries.
53. Gross domestic product (GDP) – The total value of goods and services produced within a country over a specific period.
54. Inflation – The general increase in prices and the subsequent decrease in the purchasing power of money.
55. Letter of credit – A document issued by a bank that guarantees payment to a seller upon presentation of specified documents.
56. Multinational corporation (MNC) – A company that operates in multiple countries, often with production facilities, subsidiaries, and sales offices.
57. Niche market – A small, specialized segment of a larger market with unique needs or preferences.
58. Outsourcing – Contracting a third-party company to perform specific tasks or functions that were previously done in-house.
59. Patent – A legal protection granted to an inventor that excludes others from making, using, or selling the invention for a specified period.
60. Quality control – The processes and procedures used to ensure that products or services meet or exceed customer expectations.
61. Request for proposal (RFP) – A document that outlines the requirements and specifications for a project or purchase and solicits bids from suppliers.
62. Sales forecast – An estimation of future sales, typically based on historical data, market trends, and other relevant factors.
63. Stock market – A market where shares of publicly traded companies are bought and sold.
64. Tariff – A tax or duty imposed on imported or exported goods, often used to protect domestic industries or regulate trade.
65. Unique selling proposition (USP) – A distinctive feature or benefit that sets a product or service apart from competitors.
66. Business-to-government (B2G) – The exchange of goods, services, or information between businesses and government entities.
67. Call to action (CTA) – A statement or instruction that encourages or prompts the reader or viewer to take a specific action.
68. Cash on delivery (COD) – A payment method where the buyer pays for goods upon delivery.
69. Currency exchange – The process of converting one currency into another for financial transactions.
70. Dividend – A distribution of a portion of a company’s profits to its shareholders.
71. Economic indicator – A statistic or data point that provides insight into the overall health and performance of an economy.
72. EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) – A measure of a company’s operating performance that excludes non-operational expenses.
73. Gross profit – The difference between revenue and the cost of goods sold.
74. Import duty – A tax or fee imposed on imported goods by the customs authority of a country.
75. Intellectual property rights (IPR) – Legal rights that protect creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary or artistic works, and trademarks.
76. Key account – A strategic or major customer that generates a significant portion of a company’s revenue.
77. Market segmentation – The process of dividing a larger market into distinct groups based on similar characteristics or needs.
78. Memorandum of understanding (MOU) – A non-binding agreement between two or more parties that outlines the intentions or objectives of a future partnership or cooperation.
79. Outsourcing – Contracting a third-party company to perform specific tasks or functions that were previously done in-house.
80. Point of sale (POS) – The location or system where a sales transaction takes place.
81. Procurement – The process of obtaining goods, services, or works from an external source, often through purchasing or contracting.
82. Sales lead – A potential customer or contact that shows interest in a product or service and may be a prospect for future sales.
83. Service level agreement (SLA) – A contract between a service provider and a customer that defines the expected level of service and performance.
84. Shareholder – An individual or entity that owns shares or stock in a company and has an ownership interest.
85. Stock market index – A measure of the performance of a group of stocks that represent a specific market or industry.
86. Supply and demand – The fundamental economic principle that states the price and availability of goods and services are determined by their supply and the demand from buyers.
87. Value chain – The series of activities that add value to a product or service, from raw materials to the end customer.
88. Arbitration – A method of resolving disputes between parties through a neutral third party who reviews the evidence and makes a binding decision.
89. Break-even point – The point at which total revenue equals total costs, resulting in neither profit nor loss.
90. Crowdfunding – The practice of funding a project or venture by raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically through an online platform.
91. Divestment – The sale or disposal of assets, divisions, or subsidiaries by a company.
92. Franchise – A legal and commercial relationship between the owner of a trademark, brand, or business model (franchisor) and an individual or entity (franchisee) authorized to operate under the brand.
93. Inflation rate – The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising and, subsequently, the purchasing power of money is falling.
94. Letter of intent (LOI) – A document that outlines the preliminary agreement between two or more parties to pursue a specific transaction or negotiation.
95. Marketing mix – The set of marketing tools and tactics used by a company to promote its products or services, often referred to as the “4Ps” (Product, Price, Place, Promotion).
96. Non-disclosure agreement (NDA) – A legally binding contract that prohibits the disclosure of confidential or proprietary information to third parties.
97. Public relations (PR) – The practice of managing the spread of information between an organization or individual and the public to maintain a positive image.
98. Return on assets (ROA) – A measure of a company’s profitability relative to its total assets, calculated by dividing net income by total assets.
99. Trade deficit – The situation that occurs when a country imports more goods and services than it exports.
100. Venture capitalist – An individual or firm that invests capital in startups or high-potential companies in exchange for equity or ownership.

Remember, this list is just a starting point, and there are many more terms and expressions specific to international business. Encourage your students to explore further and stay updated on the latest developments in the field.