You are here:

Business & Technical Writing/Appropriate English terminology

Advertisement

Expert: Alice J. Bogert - 7/26/2006


Question
I am a Japanese and now writing a business report.

Supposing Company A had a sales forecast of
$5 million for 2006 and the total sales at the end of July were $2 million (Jan. thorugh July),
meaning Company A has achieved 40% (2/5) of the annual forecast by the end of July. In this case, could we say the "progress rate" is 40% at the end of July?  Or, should we say "achivement rate?" Or, else?

Please advise an appropriate terminology. I need a simple expression so I can use in a table.

Thank you,

Answer
Hi Toshio,

Thank you for your question.  Were it me, I would simply state the facts rather than label the current status as progress rate or achievement rate.  

My suggestion is as follows; I hope it is helpful.

Our 2006 projected sales forecast was $5,000,000.  Our sales from January - July totaled $2,000,0000, representing 40% of our projected goal.

Business & Technical Writing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Alice J. Bogert

Expertise

I have taught English grammar to elementary school, high school, and college students for several years in addition to private tutoring for students struggling with writing assignments. I also teach adult writing classes for business professionals in the private sector as well as for various government agencies. I have edited manuscripts and other writings submitted by various authors for publication to magazines and journals

Experience

I have studied English grammar for many years. While employed as a federal probation officer, I wrote hundreds of pre-sentence reports to assist federal judges in making fair and appropriate sentencing decisions. I've written short stories and poetry for publication, and I've helped write policy and procedure manuals for various government offices.

Organizations
National Association of Retired Federal Employees Writers Guild of America Professional Women's Assoc.

Publications
"Journal of Juvenile and Family Courts," 1978. "International Library of Poetry," 2003.

Education/Credentials
I have an M.A, Degree in Sociology, and I minored in English.

Awards and Honors
I received three meritorious quality step awards for excellence during my career as a federal probation officer. I was also a nominee for National Probation Officer of the Year in 1986. I am listed in the 1998 edition of "Who's Who in Professions."

Past/Present Clients
California County and State government Federal government Various School Districts Los Rio Community College District Readers' Digest

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.