Corporate Buzzwords/Jargon 3
An exercise covering the jargon and buzzwords of modern business English. Love them or loathe them, these expressions are part of the corporate vocabulary — and you need to know them.
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Choose the correct response to complete each sentence.
1. We must make sure everyone is ____________________ with our final implementation plan.
Correct answer: on board.
2. Paul, Javier, you guys are going to ____________________ on this. (meaning: You guys will be working together on this)
Correct answer: tag team.
3. We have just received our ____________________ orders (meaning: our instructions from management).
Correct answer: marching.
4. A characteristic of a service or product that raises its perceived value is known as a "value-____________________".
Correct answer: add.
5. Technology represents a constantly shifting ____________________.
Correct answer: paradigm.
6. Let's ____________________ = Let's talk
Correct answer: dialogue.
7. We are going to have to ____________________ and admit that we are five weeks behind schedule.
Correct answer: lay our cards on the table.
8. This initiative will create the ____________________ needed to take our business to the next level.
Correct answer: synergy.
9. This kind of corporate office jargon is sometimes referred to as ____________________.
Correct answer: officespeak.
10. To "get the ball ____________________" means to start something.
Correct answer: rolling.
📚 Important Words to Know
synergy — the concept that combining two or more elements produces a greater result than the sum of their individual effects
bandwidth (figurative) — a person's or team's capacity to take on additional work or responsibilities
deep dive — a thorough and detailed examination of a particular topic, problem, or project
low-hanging fruit — tasks or opportunities that are easily achievable and can produce quick, visible results
move the needle — to make a noticeable or meaningful difference to a metric, goal, or outcome
thought leader — an individual recognized as an authority and innovator in a specific field or industry
leverage (verb) — to use an existing resource, asset, or advantage to maximize results
circle back — to return to a topic or conversation at a later time after initial discussion
value-add — something that provides additional benefit or worth beyond what is normally expected
agility — the ability of an organization to respond quickly and effectively to changes in the market or environment
synergy — the concept that combining two or more elements produces a greater result than the sum of their individual effects
bandwidth (figurative) — a person's or team's capacity to take on additional work or responsibilities
deep dive — a thorough and detailed examination of a particular topic, problem, or project
low-hanging fruit — tasks or opportunities that are easily achievable and can produce quick, visible results
move the needle — to make a noticeable or meaningful difference to a metric, goal, or outcome
thought leader — an individual recognized as an authority and innovator in a specific field or industry
leverage (verb) — to use an existing resource, asset, or advantage to maximize results
circle back — to return to a topic or conversation at a later time after initial discussion
value-add — something that provides additional benefit or worth beyond what is normally expected
agility — the ability of an organization to respond quickly and effectively to changes in the market or environment
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