justify ... in terms of profits

English translation: yes -- with regard to how much profit it generates

18:21 Mar 3, 2008
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Surveying
English term or phrase: justify ... in terms of profits
- Having to justify my work in terms of profits.

This is an item in a questionnaire. The respondents have to rate each statement as to how it would affect their motivation to work.

Does the sentence mean that I have to justify everything I do by stating how much profit it generates?
I also want to know if this is an unequivocal way of expressing the idea, of if there's a possibility that it may be interpreted in another way (the client wants to know).
Thank you.
Nesrin
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:35
Selected answer:yes -- with regard to how much profit it generates
Explanation:
It's fine when read in context. I don't think there's another way to interpret this, but if the client wants something even simpler, you could really spell it out to avoid any possible confusion: 'in terms of how much profit he/she generates for the company.'
Selected response from:

Mark Berelekhis
United States
Local time: 20:35
Grading comment
Your comments in the "ask the asker" field were most helpful.
Thanks Mark and Simon.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +1yes -- with regard to how much profit it generates
Mark Berelekhis
3my employment depends on whether I make money for the company
PoveyTrans (X)


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
my employment depends on whether I make money for the company


Explanation:
One possible interpretation in a more extreme situation is that employment could depend on the ability to bring in profit. E.g. in the financial services sector (or others) your employment in certain roles (front office sales) depends on whether you make money for the company.

i.e. my work means my employment not just the tasks I perform.

Hope that makes sense.



PoveyTrans (X)
Local time: 00:35
Native speaker of: English
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8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
yes -- with regard to how much profit it generates


Explanation:
It's fine when read in context. I don't think there's another way to interpret this, but if the client wants something even simpler, you could really spell it out to avoid any possible confusion: 'in terms of how much profit he/she generates for the company.'

Mark Berelekhis
United States
Local time: 20:35
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Your comments in the "ask the asker" field were most helpful.
Thanks Mark and Simon.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Phong Le
6 hrs
  -> Thank you, Phong Le.
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