Competition - BE 3 Unit 12

A level playing field = a situation of fair competition

• It is not a level playing field anymore. As a small, family-owned company, it is very difficult of us to compete with the big and the big multinationals in terms of price.
• Given our country’s industrial policy and the new global economic market, we should clear unreasonable hurdles and provide a level playing field to all businesses, regardless of their size and nationality.
• The Korean financial authorities on Wednesday pledged to create a level playing field for foreign and domestic investors.

In the driving seat = being in control

• With our market dominance in Asia, we are in an extremely powerful position. We are really in the driving seat.
• Unprecedented state involvement in the car industry has put governments in America, Germany, and elsewhere in the driving seat in deciding their carmaker’s fate.
• The government said it would be firmly in the driving seat of the country’s vast reconstruction process.

To be neck and neck = being same level as the competition

• We have exactly the same market share as our nearest rival. According to independent research, we are also neck and neck in terms of sales so far this year as well.
• The two rival companies were running neck and neck in the push to achieve national leadership through local dominance.
• Microsoft and Google are neck and neck in the latest advertising race.

Flogging a dead horse = wasting your time on a hopeless situation

• There is no point continuing with the project. It will never work. We are flogging a dead horse. We need to look elsewhere if we have to fight off the competition.
• His view on management may have seemed practical and attractive 20 years ago, but now he is just flogging a dead horse. None of his ideas could possibly be put into practice.
• Ten years ago people would have been interested in his lecture on the benefits of e-commerce, but now he is just flogging a dead horse.

A major player = an important company or person with a lot of power or influence.

Although the market has expanded, they are still really only two major players. They will fight it out for market dominance.

Move the goalposts = a change in the rules

• Smaller countries became frustrated, believing that the big powers keep moving the goalposts and failed to outline fixed rules that all should play by.
• As the sole buyer, the government can impose aggressive timelines and also move the goalposts.

Keep your eye on the ball = staying focused

We are French company, but our goal is to go international. However, we don’t want to go global too early. It is extremely important for us to keep our eye on the ball in France.

In business, a lot can happen in  a month, so it is important to keep our eye on the ball.

Ahead of the game = being in front of the competition

• They are so far ahead their competitors in terms of new products that it has become ahead of the game. It will be years before their rivals catch up with them.
• The creativity of our R&D people has enabled our company to stay ahead of the game in this highly competitive market.
• Elektra has brought more companies than most of it rivals. It has always been ahead of the game in making acquisition.

a one horse race = being the only competitor

There were no other bidders in the running for state-controlled BNI Bank, so it was clearly a one horse race.

on the ropes = being in a very bad situation.

at the deep end

They have just asked me to give a presentation to a group of senior executives in three days’ time. That is what I call being thrown in at the deep end.

the ball is in their court

We have made our position clear, and they know all the details. So now the ball is in their court.

pulling your punches

If you say such behavior is not completely fair, you are pulling your punches. I think what they do is downright dishonest.

the green light

The planning authorities have just given us the green light for our new premises, so construction is starting next week.

in the red

Intensifying competition and disappointing domestic performance in digital cameras and domestic appliances mean Santoren may be facing its third consecutive year in the red.

Example Competition

M started competing in the coffee-bar market.

S replace their chief executive.

S slow expansion in the US

M introduced coffee-bars with baristas.

S close under-performing stores.

S focused on international plans.

S allow customers to see drinks being made.

M uses simple sizes for coffees.

M probably offers coffee at a lower price than their major competitors.