Business A to Z

Every trade has words it uses without explaining. In business the cost of not knowing one is real: some of them are ordinary jargon and some of them are a decision that can take a house.

Please note: This page explains what a term means. It is general information, not legal, financial, tax or investment advice, and it does not know anything about your business. Before you sign, file or commit to anything, check it with an accountant, a solicitor, or the official guidance we link to.

Studying business? We write GCSE revision songs, and there is one for business studies. Listen to the revision playlist.

500 terms, showing 151–160 (page 16 of 50).

D

Digital transformation

Changing how the business works using technology. Mostly not a technology problem.

Dilapidations

The bill at the end of a lease for putting the premises back.

Dilapidations provision

Money set aside in the accounts for a liability you know is coming.

Dilution

Your percentage of the company going down because new shares were issued. Not automatically a bad thing.

Director's loan account

Also called DLA, Directors loan

A running record of money moving between you and your company that is neither salary nor dividend. Overdraw it and it costs you.

Directors and officers insurance

Cover for claims against directors personally.

Directors' remuneration planning

Deciding the salary and dividend mix. An annual decision, not a permanent one.

Directors' responsibilities

The seven statutory duties every company director owes. They apply from day one.

Diversification

Adding new products or new markets. Four directions, with different risk.

Dividend

A share of a company's profits paid to its shareholders. The usual way an owner-director takes money out, and it has rules.

Ready when you are

Have a look round the demo, start a free trial with your own service in it, or ask us the awkward question first. Whichever you pick, the people who answer are the people who built it.