Common Corporate Jargon and Abbreviations You Should Know!

Source: Oracle

If you are working or have spent some time in a corporate sector, you must have noticed people using some words or abbreviations daily. These words or phrases have become a part of the corporate culture and act as a second language in business.

To fit in this environment, you need to understand and know the importance of business jargon. They make you feel knowledgeable and professional as now you can understand the directions and be able to perform your duties more efficiently.

We will discuss some of the unique lingos and abbreviations you, and especially the people who are working in the companies and organizations should know.

Examples of Corporate Jargon

Through jargon, both employer and employee can communicate and express their ideas and direction to each other.

Boil the Ocean

In a business context, 'boil the ocean' means to take the task or project which is impossible or to make the job or project unnecessary difficult, and waste a lot of time.

For example - Don't boil the ocean by photocopying the clients' contract documents.

Over the Ocean

Throwing 'over the wall' means transferring or sending important information to a client or customer.

For example - Raunak, when a client comes, throws the product info over the wall.

Bleeding Edge

Bleeding edge is the modified version of cutting edge and leading edge. It refers to a product/service (usually including technology) that is new, experimental, generally untested, and carries a high risk of being unreliable.

For example - Cryptocurrency is considered to be a bleeding edge.

Core Competency

Core competency is defined as the capabilities, skills, knowledge, and resources that constitute a strength of the company or the individual.

For example - Kanishka's core competency is sales management.

Low-hanging Fruit

As you know, the fruits hanging low on a tree are easier to grab. That's why in business, this phrase is used to describe those tasks or projects which are easy and quick to do and will be profitable.

For example:- Reducing the price is not the best strategy but its great low-hanging fruit.

Trim the Fat

Trimming the fat refers to the act of reducing or removing unnecessary details, resources, or individuals from a company or project.

For example - Our company's annual budget is still so high, we need to trim the fat.

Move the Needle

In business terms,' move the needle' means getting effective results from a project or assignment that are meaningful for the goal of the company or the business.

For example:- I hope that this new product will move a needle in sales as well as revenue.

Table the Conversation

The phrase 'table the conversation' is usually used in business meetings where it means to pause the discussion at the moment and talk about it later on or with the possible intention of not returning.

For example - Siddharth it's not the right time to talk about the interns, so let's just table this conversation.

Lots of Moving Parts

The phrase 'lots of moving parts is used to describe a system or business with lots of departments, employees, and processes.

For example:- This organization is very complex as it has lots of moving parts, so it's very hard to manage every little thing.

Gain Traction

If someone says that something is gain traction in the business field, it's referring to an idea or project of a company becoming more popular and having a little bit of success.

For example:- During pandemics, online shopping becomes the gain traction as it was the only means of purchasing goods.

Examples of Abbreviations/ Acronyms

Here are some abbreviations or acronyms used in the business world