AMERICANS may speak English -- but author George Bernard Shaw still said England and America were "two countries divided by a common language".

Now US business expert Allyson Stewart-Allen says companies in the North-west need to have a greater understanding of American business language and culture.

More than half of north-west companies which export goods expect to increase their trade to America in the next year.

But Mrs Stewart-Allen said: "British and American business language and practice is very different," she said. "The UK business style tends to be measured, hierarchical and reserved. In contrast, US business people are assertive, direct and demonstrative. Language can be a barrier to transatlantic trade."

Mrs Stewart-Allen has come up with some jargon-busting phrases to help north-west companies get over any language barriers:

Batting a thousand: to never miss a ball, to not make any mistakes -- "she was batting a thousand until the stock market crashed".

Chapter 11: the code in US insolvency law which allows a company debts -- "her company is going to end up in Chapter 11".

Kicker: an incentive, deal-clincher, turning point -- "the real kicker was..."

Pink slip: the US equivalent of a P45 -- "I got the pink slip".

Slipstream: to get something done quickly, to fast track -- "let's slipstream this deal".

Random: to have no structure/organisation -- "this team is totally random".

But to succeed in America, you also need to do it the American way, she said.

Americans demand punctuality, so be on time for meetings. She added: "Grooming is important in American business.

"Neatness and attention to detail are all important, so dress smartly."