To learn about how the rope industry works

To relearn something in a more effective way.

You overhear your manager talking about a colleague, saying, ‘That’s the last straw’. 

How is your manager feeling?

Tired that your colleague has used all the drinking straws in the office kitchen.

Happy that your colleagues's last project was a great success.

Happy that your colleague has successfully negotiated a great contract on supplying straws. 

To read about how to do something before we try doing it ourselves.

To get an alternative opinion on a business idea from an author of a business book.

To set up a new way of doing the company accounts.

 ‘Let’s go back to the drawing board’ means:

We should use more drawings and images in our presentations.

We need to make a new plan to solve our problems as the current plan has failed.

Your co-worker says, ‘It was a tough break when Ben quit.'

What does she mean?

It was a good salesperson but he took too many work breaks.

It was tough being on a break with Ben as he didn't communicate much.

It was unfortunate that Ben quit as the company needs him.

It was good that Ben quit. because now she has a chance to be the top salesperson.

Doing something that is difficult to achieve.

In a business meeting, your new idea for a great product was ‘shot down’.

What happened?

You should get a shot (i.e. a chance) to prove it will be successful.

It was written down for later consideration.

Your boss tells you to ‘go the extra mile’ for a special client.

What do they mean?

You should make arrangements to meet them face-to-face, not over Skype.

You should give them more than they expected.

It's an international customer which means you have to travel by air to meet them.

You must use Imperial measurements (i.e. miles, yards) not metric ones (i.e. kilograms, kilometers) with this client.

You have asked for a discount from the company which provides your office with IT support. They reply to your email saying, ‘We can’t budge ’.

What do they mean?

You are in a business meeting negotiating a new contract with an important client. After hearing your price, they say  ‘That’s a deal breaker for us’.

What do they mean?

They need time to think about your offer.

It's time to take a break from the meeting.

To ‘learn the ropes’ means: