...leverages the company's prior knowledge.

[Ksenia]

Hello!

Here is an expert view about planning for expansion of one start-up.

The Expert View
There's no doubt that the knowledge and experience acquired by a company in its initial location is a key asset for international expasion. However, internationalization can also provide learning opportunities for a company, through exposure to new cultures, ideas etc. This experience can be used to create new expertise that complements and leverages the company's prior knowledge. Therefore the two basic dimensions defining multinational expansion should be both the effort to earn income from the diffusion and transfer of current knowledge, as well as the possibility of generating new knowledge to produce future income.

Would you be so kind as to explain me what is the meaning of the word 'leverage'? What does it stand for?

Thank you!

[bhaisahab]

It's business "English". To me it means nothing, it's an artificial verb created from the noun "leverage". Have a look here: http://www.onelook.com/?w=leveraged&...e_ac_leveraged

[Tdol]

I'd interpret it as using (something) to maximum advantage:

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us...glish/leverage (Verb definition 2)

[SoothingDave]

You use a lever to multiply force. Same idea. If you leverage your company's knowledge, you take advantage of that knowledge. Yes, it's horrible business jargon.

[Tdol]

Yes, it's horrible business jargon.

As opposed to the other kind.

[Ksenia]

Sometimes such texts on business drive me crazy (sorry! ) because it is hard to get their exact meaning.

[bhaisahab]

It would have been much clearer to everyone written like this: "...and uses the company's prior knowledge to advantage". Only six extra letters.

[Tdol]

Sometimes such texts on business drive me crazy

You're not the only one. They have this effect on many people.

[MikeNewYork]

When I was in business school, the verb "leverage" was used often. I got used to it. It is not so bad.

[bhaisahab]

In my opinion it is horrible.