VIP Class Notes (Nemo) [W]

Vocabulary

newbie (n): 1-someone who has just started doing an activity, a job, etc.新手
E.g.: The guide helps newbies understand the the latest social networking sites and apps.

prevail (v): 1-to get control or influence占优势，占上风
E.g.: I am sure that common sense will prevail in the end.
我相信常识最终会获胜。
E.g.: And did reason prevail over (= become a more powerful influence than) emotion?
理智战胜了情感吗？

professionalism (n)the combination of all the qualities that are connected with trained and skilled people专业水准；专业精神
E.g.: He praised her professionalism and dynamism.
他赞扬了她的专业精神和活力。

clan (n): 1-a large family, or a group of people who share the same interest
家族，氏族；（享有共同利益的）群体，集团
E.g.: Is/Are the whole clan coming to visit you for Christmas?
你那一大帮亲戚圣诞节都要来看望你吗？

align yourself with sth/sb-If you align yourself with an organization or person, you agree with and support their aims.
与…保持一致；与…结盟
E.g.: The party is under pressure to align itself more closely with industry.
该党迫于压力，需要拉近与企业界的关系。
E.g.: The major unions are aligned with the government on this issue.

lay sb off (v): 1-to stop employing someone, usually because there is no work for them to do
解雇（某人），解聘（某人）
E.g.: Because of falling orders, the company has been forced to lay off several hundred workers.
E.g.: He was laid off last week.

opportunism (n):behavior in which you use every situation to try to get power or an advantage
机会主义
E.g.: political opportunism
政治机会主义

Office politics is usually observed in large companies with vertical hierarchy. Though it is a common phenomenon, still quite a lot of people don’t know how to deal with it, especially for junior new comers.
Confusion is caused as most people consider office politics as bad behaviors, such as backstabbing & meaningless argument. While a company can be compared as a small country, and politics is somewhat a must for such a complicated organization.
Think in a positive way, office politics can be considered as different opinions & different ways of working competing with each other. Usually there won’t be a party wining out, while good ideas & techniques are generated from healthy competition.
It may be good for the company, but it still could be suffering for individuals. To survive in office politics, showing respect & profession to all your colleagues is a good practice. Even to your ‘political enemy’, never be personal in any argument. Improving your professional skills is also vital. However office politics changes, people with solid skills are always sought by different stakeholders.

Office politics is usually observed in large companies with vertical hierarchy. Though it is a common phenomenon, still quite a lot of people don’t know how to deal with it, especially for junior new comers/newbies.
Confusion is caused as most people consider office politics as bad behaviors, such as backstabbing & meaningless argument. /workers are often confused because they’re not sure how to deal with office politics, also often office politics are put in the same category of a bad behaviors together with back stabbing and meaningless argument. While a company can be compared to/with a small country, and politics is somewhat a necessity for such a complicated organizations.
Think in a positive way, office politics can be considered to be a different way of thinking &  working, competing with each other. Usually there won’t be a prevailing party, while good ideas & techniques are generated from healthy competition.
It may be good for the company, but it still could be damaging for individuals. To survive in office politics, showing respect & professionalism to all your colleagues is a good practice. Even to your ‘political enemy’, never be personal in any argument/ You should never get too personal in confronting anyone, espec your ” political enemies” . Improving your professional skills is also vital to your career. However office politics changes, people with solid skills are always sought by different stakeholders.