Scalable

Intermediate 💼 Corporate / Business

Definition

Something that can grow without breaking, a quality attributed to every startup pitch and approximately zero of their actual products. If you hear "it's scalable" often enough, you start to realize it's the business equivalent of "trust me, bro."

Example Usage

"Our solution is infinitely scalable," promised the vendor, whose demo crashed when a second user logged in.

Related Terms

Beginner

productivity

The corporate holy grail measuring how much output you squeeze from workers per unit of time, usually tracked with software that makes everyone paranoid. It's the difference between looking busy and actually accomplishing things, though modern workplace culture has trouble distinguishing between the two. Management consultants worship it, workers resent measuring it, and nobody agrees on how to improve it.

💼 Corporate / Business
Beginner

accountability

The corporate principle that someone, somewhere, should theoretically be responsible for outcomes, though determining exactly who remains mysteriously elusive during crisis moments. This obligation to answer for results and maintain accurate records sounds great in mission statements but often vanishes faster than donuts in a breakroom. It's the business world's favorite buzzword that everyone demands but few actually practice.

💼 Corporate / Business
Beginner

solutions

Corporate buzzword for "products" or "services" that makes everything sound innovative and strategic. Tech companies don't sell software anymore; they provide "enterprise solutions" that "solve business challenges." It's the verbal equivalent of putting racing stripes on a minivan—same thing, but now it sounds fast and important.

💼 Corporate / Business
Beginner

paper trail

Documentation of decisions, communications, and transactions that proves what actually happened when someone inevitably denies everything. The CYA strategy in physical or digital form.

💼 Corporate / Business
Intermediate

seat at the table

Being included in important decisions, a metaphorical privilege that somehow requires constant reminding that you're supposed to be grateful for it.

💼 Corporate / Business
Intermediate

eating your own dog food

Using your own company's products or services internally, forcing employees to experience the same pain points as customers. Also reveals whether your software is actually usable or hot garbage.

💼 Corporate / Business

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