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Office Jargon 101 – What Does ‘Tailwinds’ Mean?
Understanding ‘Tailwinds’ in the Business World In the corporate world, the term “tailwinds” is often used to indicate factors that may be helping a business to move in a certain direction or to achieve certain goals. Essentially, tailwinds are an array of forces that create a momentum and allow situations to improve. To illustrate, think…
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Office Jargon 101 – What Does ‘Table the Conversation’ Mean?
Table the Conversation: Navigating Office Jargon Entering the job market can feel daunting and arcane, but understanding the language of the office doesn’t have to be difficult. One of the most common phrases used in a corporate setting is “table the conversation,” and this requires a bit of unpacking to help new employees and job…
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Office Jargon 101 – What Does ‘Synergy’ Mean?
Synergy: What It Means and How to Use It When entering the job market, you may come across a particular buzzword: synergy. But what exactly is synergy? In terms of business or office jargon, synergy refers to a situation where two or more things work together to produce an effect that’s more powerful than the…
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Office Jargon 101 – What Does ‘Swimlane’ Mean?
What Is a Swimlane? Swimlanes are an organizational tool used to help improve the efficiency of complex processes. In essence, swimlanes allow a process that could be described as overwhelming and too cumbersome to understand to be broken down into different “lanes,” each with its own set of tasks and activities. At its simplest, a…
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Office Jargon 101 – What Does ‘Sweetheart Deal’ Mean?
What Is a Sweetheart Deal? A sweetheart deal is an arrangement between two or more parties, usually in business and/ or employment, that is agreed to because all the parties believe it to be in their best interests. The terms of the sweetheart deal benefit all the involved parties and often involve reduced costs and/or…
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Office Jargon 101 – What Does ‘Swamped’ Mean?
What Does Being Swamped Mean? The business world can be filled with a whole new language for those just starting out in the job market. The term “swamped” is one common term thrown around. Understanding exactly what the meaning of being “swamped” is and how it applies to the world of business can help you…
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Office Jargon 101 – What Does ‘Survival Strategy’ Mean?
What Is a Survival Strategy? A survival strategy is an action plan outlining what steps you should take to make sure you are consistently successful professionally. It is a plan that covers different aspects of your job starting from the way you network with co-workers and management to the way you pursue opportunities and build…
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Office Jargon 101 – What Does ‘Straw Man’ Mean?
What Is a Straw Man? A straw man is a rhetorical device used to explain an opponent’s argument, especially one that is particularly difficult to explain. It is not literally true, but helps paint a picture of what the other person is saying. It is often used in debates, political discourse, business negotiations, and everyday…
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Office Jargon 101 – What Does ‘Strategic Partnership’ Mean?
What Is a Strategic Partnership? A strategic partnership is an arrangement between two or more companies, which allows them to gain access to each other’s resources and cooperate on projects to further their mutual interests. Strategic partnerships often involve a combination of financial investments, shared resources, and expertise to achieve a shared goal. A strategic…
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Office Jargon 101 – What Does ‘Stopgap’ Mean?
What Is Stopgap? Stopgap is a term used to describe a temporary solution to a problem. It is a quick fix that acts as a bridge to a more permanent solution. In an office environment, a stopgap might be used to address a short-term staffing crisis. If an employee goes on leave unexpectedly, a stopgap…
