Evaluating Operational Challenges
Two business partners or a business owner and a consultant discuss current operational bottlenecks, supply chain issues, or staffing challenges affecting their small business.
Dos socios comerciales o un propietario de negocio y un consultor discuten cuellos de botella operativos actuales, problemas en la cadena de suministro o desafíos de personal que afectan su pequeño negocio.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
bottleneck
A bottleneck is a point in a process where things slow down or get stuck, causing delays. In business, it's often used to describe the main problem affecting efficiency, like in supply chains.
Un cuello de botella es un punto en un proceso donde las cosas se ralentizan o se atascan, causando retrasos. En los negocios, se usa a menudo para describir el principal problema que afecta la eficiencia, como en las cadenas de suministro.
turnaround time
Turnaround time means the time it takes to complete a process, such as delivering goods. If it increases, it means things are taking longer than before.
El tiempo de procesamiento significa el tiempo que toma completar un proceso, como entregar bienes. Si aumenta, significa que las cosas están tomando más tiempo que antes.
inventory management
Inventory management is the process of ordering, storing, and using a company's stock of products. It's important for businesses to avoid running out or having too much.
La gestión de inventarios es el proceso de ordenar, almacenar y usar el stock de productos de una empresa. Es importante para las empresas evitar quedarse sin existencias o tener demasiado.
stockouts
Stockouts happen when a store or business runs out of a product that customers want. This can lead to lost sales and unhappy customers.
Los faltantes de stock ocurren cuando una tienda o negocio se queda sin un producto que los clientes quieren. Esto puede llevar a ventas perdidas y clientes infelices.
forecasting
Forecasting is predicting future sales or demand for products. Accurate forecasting helps businesses plan how much stock to keep.
El pronóstico es predecir las ventas futuras o la demanda de productos. Un pronóstico preciso ayuda a las empresas a planificar cuánto inventario mantener.
streamline
To streamline means to make a process simpler and more efficient, reducing waste or delays. Businesses often streamline operations to save time and money.
Racionalizar significa hacer un proceso más simple y eficiente, reduciendo el desperdicio o los retrasos. Las empresas a menudo racionalizan las operaciones para ahorrar tiempo y dinero.
predictive analytics
Predictive analytics uses data and software to forecast future trends or events. In business, it helps predict customer demand more accurately.
El análisis predictivo utiliza datos y software para pronosticar tendencias o eventos futuros. En los negocios, ayuda a predecir la demanda del cliente con mayor precisión.
diversifying
Diversifying means spreading out risks by using different options or suppliers. In business, it helps avoid problems if one provider fails.
Diversificar significa distribuir los riesgos utilizando diferentes opciones o proveedores. En los negocios, ayuda a evitar problemas si un proveedor falla.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
I wanted to dig deeper into some of the operational challenges we've been facing.
This sentence uses 'dig deeper' as an idiom meaning to investigate more thoroughly. It's useful for starting business discussions about problems. The present perfect 'we've been facing' shows ongoing issues.
Esta oración usa 'dig deeper' como un modismo que significa investigar más a fondo. Es útil para iniciar discusiones de negocios sobre problemas. El presente perfecto 'we've been facing' muestra problemas en curso.
It seems the main bottleneck is our third-party logistics provider.
This is a way to state an observation based on evidence. 'It seems' softens the statement to sound less certain. Useful for reporting findings in meetings. 'Third-party' means an external company providing services.
Esta es una forma de expresar una observación basada en evidencia. 'It seems' suaviza la afirmación para que suene menos segura. Útil para reportar hallazgos en reuniones. 'Third-party' significa una empresa externa que proporciona servicios.
Are we still running into issues with stockouts on popular items?
This question uses 'running into issues' to mean encountering problems. The present continuous 'are we still running' checks for ongoing situations. Great for business check-ins about persistent challenges.
Esta pregunta usa 'running into issues' para significar encontrarse con problemas. El presente continuo 'are we still running' verifica situaciones en curso. Genial para check-ins de negocios sobre desafíos persistentes.
Our forecasting isn't quite accurate enough, leading to both stockouts and sometimes overstocking.
This sentence shows cause and effect with 'leading to.' 'Isn't quite accurate enough' is a polite way to say something is not good enough. Useful for explaining business errors and their results.
Esta oración muestra causa y efecto con 'leading to'. 'Isn't quite accurate enough' es una forma educada de decir que algo no es lo suficientemente bueno. Útil para explicar errores de negocio y sus resultados.
We need to streamline that. Have we explored any new inventory tracking software?
The first part is a direct suggestion with 'need to.' The question uses 'have we explored' in present perfect to ask about past actions up to now. Ideal for proposing improvements in operations.
La primera parte es una sugerencia directa con 'need to'. La pregunta usa 'have we explored' en presente perfecto para preguntar sobre acciones pasadas hasta ahora. Ideal para proponer mejoras en las operaciones.
It could significantly reduce those forecasting errors.
This uses 'could' for possibility and 'significantly reduce' to show a big improvement. It's a positive way to suggest benefits of a solution. Common in business proposals.
Esto usa 'could' para posibilidad y 'significantly reduce' para mostrar una gran mejora. Es una forma positiva de sugerir beneficios de una solución. Común en propuestas de negocios.
Diversifying our options seems like a smart move right now.
'Seems like' expresses an opinion. 'Smart move' is an idiom for a wise decision. This sentence is useful for agreeing on strategies to manage risks in business.
‘Parece que’ expresa una opinión. ‘Jugada inteligente’ es un modismo para una decisión sabia. Esta oración es útil para acordar estrategias para manejar riesgos en los negocios.