Present your enterprise
The idea to the launching of a product, know to speak your activities.
Speak about its enterprise
TV interviewer [over general audience applause]: Good evening... and welcome to “Building the Future”. This week, we’re talking to Jane Barber, managing director of an innovative new company that provides on-site beauty treatments for female high-fliers. Jane, when did you set up Boardroom Beauty?
Jane: I first had the idea six years ago. I then spent about eight months doing market research in the City, to see if there was really a market for this type of service. I interviewed 600 women from 15 financial institutions, and was convinced that there was a demand for this service.
TV interviewer: How did you finance your project?
Jane: I took my business plan to two banks but both turned me down. So I went to a firm of venture capitalists. They were impressed with the idea and gave me the necessary funds to launch the company.
TV interviewer: That was back in 2001. And how has the business done since then?
Jane: Well, from a team of just three beauticians we’ve grown to 15. Business is blooming, as they say. [audience laughter]
TV interviewer: Very funny. But seriously, what do you think is the reason for this success?
Jane: Well, we’ve found a niche. We offer a specialized service and we know exactly who our customers are. Presentation is extremely important in high finance but women in these jobs don’t have time to visit a beauty parlour. With Boardroom Beauty they can have a pedicure while working at their PC. We have a very loyal client base and we listen to what our customers say. Next year we’ll be launching a sister company called Boardroom Grooming where we’ll offer a range of services to male customers.
TV interviewer: And looking even further ahead...
Jane: If all goes well, we will be floating the company on the Stock Exchange in 2009. Then we’ll think about franchising. Who knows? In a few years, Boardroom Beauty could be in cities around the world!
TV interviewer: Well, we certainly wish you every success, Jane. Thank you so much for joining us. [very quietly just to Jane] Mmm, I don’t suppose you do bunions, do you?
Vocabulary and idioms
to do market research = faire une étude de marché
business plan = plan de développement
turn sb down = rejeter
venture capitalist = spécialiste du capital risque
team of beauticians = équipe d’esthéticien(ne)s
high finance = la haute finance
beauty parlour = institut de beauté
PC (personal computer) = ordinateur
loyal client base = clientèle fidèle
More sentences to describe an enterprise
We have 40 employees. = Nous avons un effectif de quarante employés.
We’re a public limited company (PLC)/private limited company. = Nous sommes une société anonyme/société à responsabilité limitée.
It’s managed by… = Elle est sous contrôle de/dirigée par...
We’re an SME (small to medium-sized enterprise) based in the north of England. = Nous sommes une PME implantée dans le nord de l’Angleterre.