PE 12/7 Company Makes Changes

What’s this I hear about the company shutting down the electronics assembly division?

You heard right. Management has decided to farm out that work to a foreign supplier.

Why can’t we just maintain the status quo [하1] and keep it in house?

Our main competitor has upped their game, so we have to do something. I guess this was the best solution.

I’m sure the bean counters would’ve considered that option. The good news is that all the assembly workers are being given other jobs within the company.

* shut down: to close, turn off, or discontinue something

ex> If you hear a funny noise, shut down the machine immediately.

* farm out: to assign a task to an external supplier

ex> The company farmed out its customer service to a call center in India.

* status quo: the current situation; the way things are now

ex> Should we open a new location, or maintain the status quo?

* in house: within an organization or location

Ex> We do everything in house, from design to distribution.

* (step) up one’s game: to improve one’s performance

ex> The camera maker has upped its game by announcing a new flagship model.

* bean counter: an accountant; 회계사, 회계 직원

ex> Your proposal looks good to me, but let’s see what the bean counters say.

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 [하1]When we talk about the “status quo,” however, we often mean it in a slightly bad way. When people want to maintain the status quo, they are often resistant to progress.