If you have worked in large corporations, bureaucracies, and similar workplaces, or currently work at one, you may have heard a few commonly used words and phrases that have slightly (or completely) altered their original meanings when utilized in a corporate setting. Those are the so-called corporate buzzwords, also known as workplace jargon, business jargon, or corporate lingo. If not at your current workplace, it’s very likely that you have seen corporate jargon phrases, such as “work hard, play hard,” “fast-paced environment,” and “rockstar” being used in job listings to attract new talents to the team.
Interestingly, those company buzzwords seem to work as, according to a recent survey, 7 in 10 applicants said trendy language influenced their decision to apply for a job listing. After all, who wouldn’t want to be referred to as a rockstar or get rewarded for all the hard work they’ve put in? It sounds appealing; hence no wonder many take the bait. However, very few companies actually seem to fulfill their promises. Thus, the many trendy office buzzwords have eventually gained negative connotations and started being seen as “red flags” in job listings.
However, while certain buzzwords for business indeed refer to false or ultimately unfulfilled claims, some merely gain the status of annoying corporate buzzwords due to their constant overuse and often misinterpretation. In fact, 1 in 5 employees dislikes corporate jargon. Regardless, many still agree that using corporate lingo phrases makes someone look more professional, hence their prevalent use in the workplace.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of buzzwords commonly used in the corporate world. Whether you want to upgrade your office lingo and impress your coworkers or learn the covert “red flags” used in job listings, the list below might just do the trick. What’s your relationship with popular buzzwords? Do you agree with their meanings? Have you ever refused to apply for a job that used a specific corporate buzzword in its listing? What was it? Let us know!
#1
Downsizing
Meaning: Making the company smaller by firing the staff.
unknown
Report33points
#2
"We're sticking to our core competency"
Meaning: We tried something different, but it didn't work out.
unknown
Report32points
#3
"At the end of the day…"
Meaning: Whatever follows that sentence is all I’m interested in.
unknown
Report30points
#4
Outsourcing
Meaning: We are looking for someone else to do your job.
unknown
Report27points
#5
"We’ll discuss it after the New Year"
Meaning: We won't come back to this topic.
unknown
Report27points
#6
"My niece is looking for a job, can you help her?"
Meaning: If I hire her, it will not look very good, and people will start gossiping. Can you do it instead?
unknown
Report25points
#7
"We need to be lean and mean"
Meaning: You better not take a vacation or decide to quit anytime soon.
unknown
Report24points
#8
Plate’s full
Meaning: We are short-staffed and not planning to hire anyone, so you might have to do extra work.
unknown
Report24points
#9
"Hope you’re well-rested from your vacation!"
Meaning: Be prepared for all the work you ignored while on holiday. Here is your "To Do" list. The due date is today.
unknown
Report24points
#10
Rightsizing
Meaning: We are firing people, but it's all a part of a strategy, whatever the strategy is.
unknown
Report22points
#11
"If you really think it’s a good idea…"
Meaning: I don't think it's a good idea. Or, if you plan to go ahead with this idea and it goes wrong, you will be the only one to blame.
unknown
Report22points
#12
Risk-averse
Meaning: When management, who are the only ones permitted to be chicken, refer to you as being "too chicken."
unknown
Report20points
#13
"I thought you were handling this"
Meaning: Basically, your boss messed up and forgot something they were supposed to do.
unknown
Report20points
#14
Buy-In
Meaning: Trying to see if everyone agrees on a concept they had no involvement in.
unknown
Report20points
#15
Double-check
Meaning: Although I haven't checked on this yet, I want to "double check" because this check is more important than usual.
unknown
Report19points
#16
Multi-tasking
Meaning: You better work hard and fast on multiple things at once. Also, could you bring me a coffee?
unknown
Report18points
#17
Negative growth
Meaning: We are losing money, so don't expect a raise anytime soon.
unknown
Report18points
#18
"I saw your e-mail sent out to..."
Meaning: You forgot to include me in an email.
unknown
Report18points
#19
"Business is slow this year"
Meaning: You're not getting a promotion or a raise anytime soon.
unknown
Report17points
#20
Revisit
Meaning: Let's leave this project for… never.
unknown
Report16points