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!
#41
Matrix structure
Meaning: You work for multiple bosses, and they can all command you.
unknown
Report8points
#42
"It's just business"
Meaning: The phrase to employ if you want to feel less bad about your behavior.
unknown
Report8points
#43
Family
Meaning: Your organization trying to sell its culture as family-like can be annoying.
unknown
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#44
One-off
Meaning: This is the only time you may get encouragement from your boss.
unknown
Report7points
#45
Deep dive
Meaning: A total immersion in the nuances.
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#46
Move the goalposts
Meaning: Changing the conditions at the halfway point of the project.
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Report7points
#47
Pivot
Meaning: A change in the direction or strategy of a business.
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Report7points
#48
"They’re early adopters"
Meaning: You better not speak highly of early adopters.
unknown
Report6points
#49
Thought leader
Meaning: Good compliment to give your boss if you want to ask for a raise (raise not guaranteed).
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#50
Strategic fit
Meaning: We hope the new corporate partner will prevent the company from going bankrupt.
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#51
"Think outside the box"
Meaning: If you wanted to "think outside the box," you would have to refrain from saying that.
unknown
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#52
Synergy
Meaning: Collaboration between two or more teams, initiatives, or businesses.
unknown
Report5points
#53
Win-Win
Meaning: When there is no apparent downside, it's a win all around!
unknown
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#54
Sweet spot
Meaning: An exclusive target market for the business that cannot be reached.
unknown
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#55
Insourcing
Meaning: You have a better than 50 percent chance of getting promoted.
unknown
Report4points
#56
"Move the needle!"
Meaning: I don't want to do this, so you do it instead.
unknown
Report4points
#57
Growth Hacking
Meaning: It's unnecessary to make any "hacking" reference while setting new goals.
unknown
Report3points
#58
Freemium
Meaning: A tactic that involves providing a product's "basic" version for free.
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Report3points
#59
Bandwidth
Meaning: There isn't enough time, space, or funds.
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Report3points
#60
Ideate
Meaning: Act of creating a concept or coming up with an idea.
unknown
Report2points