Speak Business English Like an American » LESSON 26 - Promoting an Employee

Promoting an Employee

Steve is meeting with his boss, Kurt, to review his performance. Kurt promotes Steve to the position of marketing director.

Kurt: Steve, your performance over the past year has been excellent. You've only been here a year, but you hit the ground running.

Steve: Thank you. It's nice to be appreciated!

Kurt: You're an "A" player here - - a real star. You've really earned your keep. You're great at motivating your employees, and you're always willing to go the extra mile.

Steve: Thanks, Kurt. I really enjoy my work here.

Kurt: I'm going to take you into my confidence. Steve, this past year has been really challenging. Everybody hasn't made the grade.

Steve: Right. I heard that Dan is going to be given his walking papers.

Kurt: Yes, he'll be leaving us. I'll be breaking the news to him this afternoon. But the good news is that I'm promoting you to marketing director.

Steve: Wow, that is good news. Thank you!

Kurt: No need to thank me. You're a real go-getter and you earned it. The new position comes with a 10 percent raise and several perks, including an extra week of vacation.

Steve: Will I get a company car too?

Kurt: Don't push your luck. But if you play your cards right, maybe in a few years. Ten years down the road, I can even see you in a corner-office.

Steve: Thanks, Kurt.

Kurt: No, Steve, thank you. Keep up the good work!

Idioms
  • (to) hit the ground running
    to have a successful start to a new job; to start at full speed
    EXAMPLE: We need to hire somebody who can hit the ground running. We don't have time to train anybody.
  • (an) “A” player
    a top performer; a superior employee
    EXAMPLE: We need to do everything we can to ensure that our "A" players don't leave our company and take jobs with the competition.
  • (to) earn one's keep
    to deserve what one is paid; to deserve to be in the position one is in; to contribute one's share
    EXAMPLE: Carl stands around flirting with the receptionist all day instead of working. He's not earning his keep.
  • (to) go the extra mile
    to do more than what is expected or required
    EXAMPLE: The graphic designer showed us 25 possible designs for the cover of our new newsletter. He really went the extra mile.
  • (to) take someone into one's confidence
    to tell somebody something confidentially; to tell somebody sensitive information
    EXAMPLE: Linda took Dan into her confidence and told him that several people in the department were going to get laid off.
  • (to) make the grade
    to succeed; to fulfill the requirements
    EXAMPLE: After it was clear that Nathan made the grade as an account executive at the ad agency, he was promoted to account director.
  • leaving us
    leaving the company (note: often a polite way of saying somebody's been fired)
    EXAMPLE: We're sad to say that after ten years here, Leslie will be leaving us to pursue more time with her family.
  • (to) break the news
    to make something known (often something unpleasant)
    EXAMPLE: Sorry to break the news, but your competitors have come out with a product that works much better than yours and costs half the price.
  • go-getter
    a hard-working, ambitious person; someone very good at delivering results at work
    EXAMPLE: Stephanie is a real go-getter, so nobody was surprised when she was promoted to vice president of the bank.
  • (to) Push one's luck
    don’t try to get too much; be satisfied with what you've already gotten and don't try to get more
    EXAMPLE: If your boss has already agreed to send you to two training courses this year, don't push your luck and ask for a third.

    NOTE: You will also hear the variation: to press one's luck.

  • (to) Play one's cards right
    to make the most of one's opportunities or situation
    EXAMPLE: Louis played his cards right at the law firm, and he was made partner after only five years there.
  • down the road
    in the future
    EXAMPLE: Jay doesn't want to work for a big company forever. Five years down the road, he'd like to start his own business.
  • Keep up the good work!
    continue as you are; you're doing well, continue to do well
    EXAMPLE: Team, we just had our best year in company history. Keep up the good work!
Practice The Idioms

Choose the best substitute for the phrase or sentence in bold:

  1. Sonia is a real go-getter. No wonder she was our top salesperson last month!
    • a) very good at making friends
    • b) a reliable, kind person
    • c) very effective at her job
  2. My company just agreed to give me a company car, so I'm not going to push my luck by asking for a large raise now.
    • a) see if I can get more good luck
    • b) see what more I can get
    • c) make my boss happy
  3. When Keith didn't make the grade as a professional athlete, he decided to become a high school football coach instead.
    • a) succeed
    • b) fail
    • c) get good grades
  4. Kim is interested in working internationally, and she hopes to get a job in Europe down the road.
    • a) after she retires
    • b) close to home
    • c) in the future
  5. Sure, Michelle earns more money than any of us and has the biggest office, but she's earned her keep.
    • a) she earns a lot of money
    • b) she just got lucky
    • c) she deserves it
  6. I'm not sure how to break the news, but our company is bankrupt and our offices will close down next week.
    • a) I've got some wonderful news to tell you
    • b) This is difficult to discuss
    • c) I'm not sure whether or not this is true
  7. Nordstrom's department stores are famous for their customer service. They're always willing to go the extra mile to please their customers.
    • a) travel long distances
    • b) do a lot
    • c) do nothing
  8. Melissa didn't get the job offer at the Los Angeles Times. They told her they needed somebody with more journalism experience who could hit the ground running.
    • a) who would run away from the job after a short period
    • b) who could tell everybody else how to do their jobs
    • c) who would learn quickly how to do the job
Answer Key
Practice The Idioms
  1. c
  2. b
  3. a
  4. c
  5. c
  6. b
  7. b
  8. c
Answer Key
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