Buzzwords to Banish (Back to Table of Contents)
Buzzword/Catchphrase | Meaning/Alternative Wording |
eight-hundred-pound gorilla | largest or most important item, feature, person, etc. |
actionable | can be readily done (actionable has a different, specific legal meaning) |
Band-Aid | temporary fix |
bandwidth | capacity |
bring to the table | have to offer |
bring x along | include, persuade |
buy in (verb), buy-in (noun) | cooperate, cooperation; agree, agreement; consent |
create energy around | promote |
deliverable | a promised product or item |
dialogue (verb) | talk with, speak to, discuss |
dog and pony show | presentation |
driver | agent of change |
end-to-end | complete, comprehensive |
enterprise | business, company |
facilitate | help, make possible |
from day one | from the start |
functionality | functions, features |
gain traction | gain influence or popularity |
get a handle on | understand |
going forward | in the future, from now on |
granular | detailed |
grow (a business, etc.) | enlarge, enhance, expand |
hired gun | expert, consultant |
incent, incentivize | encourage, influence |
intellectual capital | knowledge |
leverage | use an existing resource for another purpose |
mission-critical | vital |
net-net | final result |
no-brainer | easy decision |
offline | in private |
on board | hired, committed to |
on the same page | understand or talk about the same thing |
paradigm shift | change in approach or thinking |
push back (verb), pushback (noun) | resist, resistance |
push the envelope | test the limits |
ramp up/ramp down | increase/decrease |
robust | reliable, works well |
run it up the flagpole | test it for approval |
scalable | flexible, expandable |
solution | product or service |
space | niche or market segment |
step up to the plate | take responsibility |
talking point | subject for discussion |
turnkey | ready to operate |
win-win | mutually beneficial |
work-around | way to circumvent to a problem |