Many companies have competitors that they work closely with.
You need phrases to be able to discuss competition at work.
Listen in as Lindsay and Michelle talk about different ways you can discuss competitors in the business world.
Do you know the competition?
Michelle mentions to Lindsay that iPhones are hugely popular in the United States.
She then asks who Lindsay thinks Apple’s biggest competitor is.
Lindsay immediately says it’s Android phones.
They go on to discuss how these two are probably the best-known competitors in their industry.
No matter what industry you work in, someone else is offering a similar product or service. Companies compete for the same customers, clients, and market share.
Because of that, conversations about competitors come up all the time. Knowing how to discuss them professionally is an important business communication skill.
Today, Lindsay and Michelle are sharing the vocabulary you need to talk about competitors clearly and confidently at work.
Talk about the competition
There are many ways to refer to your competitors.
When you have specific companies in mind, the ones you’re constantly watching and comparing yourself to, these are your direct competitors.
Lindsay and Michelle share several phrases and expressions you can use when talking about other companies or products that target the same customers as you.
Here are some of the most common ones:
#1: Our competition
This phrase is common and objective.
It is a neutral way to refer to whoever you are up against.
Examples:
- Our competition is launching a similar product next month.
- We need to stay ahead of our competition.
#2: Biggest competitor
You can use this to refer to the one top company you compete with most directly.
Examples:
- Our biggest competitor just expanded into Europe.
- Our biggest competitor is releasing their product in March.
#3: Rival company
This expression refers to two or more companies that are frequently competing against each other.
Examples:
- Several rival companies are investing in AI.
- Two rival companies are competing for this client.
Words for competition in general
Sometimes you’re not talking about one specific company but about the industry as a whole.
Here are two common ways Lindsay and Michelle discuss the broader competitive environment.
#1: Competitors
This way is more neutral and professional.
It can refer to any company from the same field.
Examples:
- Many competitors are lowering prices this quarter.
- How are competitors approaching this issue?
#2: The competition
This refers generally to several companies operating in the same space.
Examples:
- The competition is getting stronger every year.
- Let’s keep an eye on the competition this quarter.
Other phrases for talking about competition
Lindsay and Michelle also introduce several expressions that commonly come up in business discussions about market competition.
These are useful pieces of business jargon when talking about competitors or discussing strategies to outperform them.
They’re especially helpful in meetings and presentations.
#1: Competitive landscape
This refers to the overall environment of competitors in a market.
Examples:
- The competitive landscape has changed a lot in the past year.
- The competitive landscape in this industry is much tougher than it used to be.
#2: The market is competitive
Use this to describe an industry with many companies competing for customers.
Examples:
- The software market is very competitive right now.
- E-commerce is a competitive market this year.
#3: Stay ahead of the competition
This means to do better than your competitors or to move faster than they do.
Examples:
- We need to adapt quickly to stay ahead of the competition.
- Marketing plays a big role in staying ahead of the competition.
#4: Gain a competitive advantage
This means developing a strength that helps your company outperform its competitors.
Examples:
- Our faster delivery times give us a competitive advantage.
- Better technology can give companies a competitive advantage.
Roleplay
Here is a quick roleplay between Lindsay and Michelle showing these phrases in a natural workplace conversation.
In this scenario, they work at a tech company and are discussing competitors ahead of a new phone launch.
Lindsay: Have you seen the announcement from our biggest competitor this week?
Michelle: Yeah, they’re launching their new model next month. Looks like the competition is moving quickly!
Lindsay: Exactly. And a couple of rival companies are already developing similar products.
Michelle: Wow. It’s hard to keep up!
Lindsay: It is! The competitive landscape has definitely changed over the past year.
Michelle: Honestly, if we want to stay ahead of the competition, we need to be really innovative.
Lindsay: Agreed. Developing a more advanced camera could be a competitive advantage.
Michelle: Definitely. The team has been working on that.
Takeaway
No matter what industry you are in, the competition is always there.
Knowing how to talk about it professionally helps you contribute to strategic conversations at work with clarity and confidence.
Whether you are discussing a specific rival company or the broader competitive landscape, these words and phrases will help you sound polished and informed.
Check out BE 598: What’s the state of your business? How to Explain the Current Situation for more practical business English vocabulary.
Do you often discuss competitors at work?
How do you talk about them? Share your experience in the comments below!
