Buzzwords that make boardrooms spin and PowerPoints sing.
A meal replacement strategy comprised entirely of alcoholic beverages—the preferred diet of corporate warriors facing existential workplace crises or particularly rough Fridays.
The illusion that combining two companies will create value through elimination of redundancy and cost-sharing. Usually results in the opposite—chaos, talent loss, and duplicate spending.
The space, opportunity, or scope needed to accomplish something without bumping into constraints. More metaphorical than literal, though landlords will argue the point.
The art of pretending you know where you're going while making micro-adjustments to avoid disaster. In business, it's what leaders claim to do while actually just reacting to market pressures and hoping the quarterly report looks presentable.
An intense, typically doomed project with impossible timelines, excessive scope, and exhausted teams. Called out by everyone as a bad idea; still happens to you.
To silently burn with resentment, tension, or suppressed emotion—like passive-aggressive energy waiting for its moment to explode. The corporate equivalent of an employee plotting their next power move.
Someone professionally employed to think several moves ahead and make grand plans about what should happen next—their actual success rate varies wildly depending on who's funding them.
The complex web of professional connections you cultivate so someone remembers you exist when they're handing out opportunities. In business, relationships are the currency that makes things happen—more valuable than your actual qualifications and way more exhausting than they sound.
That awkward middle ground where the old system hasn't died yet but the new one isn't quite ready—the corporate equivalent of a bad toupee. A temporary band-aid solution that somehow lasts longer than intended.
Young, ambitious social climber driven purely by greed, status, and bling—the type to backstab coworkers and suck up without shame for a promotion. A corporate parasite in training.
Scaling a small, scrappy operation into massive profits—basically turning a hustle into a money machine through smart exploitation or clever thinking.
Attractive, appealing, or charming in a way that is innocent, sweet, or endearing; possessing a quality that wins affection or admiration. The term suggests a combination of attractiveness and likability.
A shop or store where candles and other supplies are sold, or the supplies themselves. Historically, chandlers also dealt in soap, oil, and other goods made from animal fat.
Corporate-speak for the movers and shakers whose influence keeps the organizational machine spinning. Usually preceded by 'big' to passive-aggressively remind you of the hierarchy and your relatively stationary position within it.
The fine art of networking while simultaneously acquiring a buzz—essentially combining business conversation with cocktail consumption. A staple of corporate mixers where everyone pretends they're enjoying both the company and the chardonnay equally.
Getting agreement and support from the people who are affected by or interested in a decision. A euphemism for 'we need to convince people to do this whether they want to or not.'
A product or service produced by one company but sold under another company's brand. The business equivalent of saying 'I didn't make it, but I'm selling it as mine.'
A collection of humans (or occasionally, animals) forced to work toward a common goal—theoretically unified by purpose, often divided by conflicting deadlines and email chains. The modern workplace's answer to 'nobody succeeds alone,' whether they asked for it or not.
Romance, friendships, or alliances formed aboard a vessel that are as temporary as the voyage itself—lasting only as long as the anchor stays up. Used colloquially to describe fleeting corporate relationships born at conferences.
High-end business attire consisting of an expensive dark suit, power tie, and impeccably styled hair—the ultimate power-dressing uniform for boardrooms, galas, and anyone wanting to look unquestionably corporate.
A period of peak traffic congestion, typically occurring in early morning or late afternoon when most people commute to or from work.
In a manner affecting or involving multiple legal jurisdictions or governing authorities simultaneously. This adverb describes actions, regulations, or entities that operate across several distinct legal systems or geographic boundaries.
A light brown or tan folder made from manila hemp or paper pulp, used to organize and store loose documents in filing cabinets or desk drawers. The standard color comes from the traditional material sourced from Manila in the Philippines.
The process of increasing in size, number, strength, or quality; in personal or organizational contexts, progressive development and positive change over time.