Common and Uncommon Terms Used in Corporate Workplaces

In corporate workplaces, effective communication is key to productivity and collaboration and in most cases, this comes out as corporate jargon.

Every industry uses buzzwords and phrases to communicate with its workers and this vocabulary is constantly evolving so it’s understandable if you’re left a little confused. Whether you love or loathe corporate speak, it’s becoming a standard in the workplace so wrapping your head around it is essential.

A recent study by bingo experts at tombola on 2,000 office workers has concluded that we prefer some phrases to others. In summary, the study found:

• The top three most used phrases were: Hit the ground running (16%), Touch base (14%), and Get the ball rolling (14%).
• The least understood ones were: Move the Needle (36%), Synergise (33%), and Low Hanging Fruit (33%).
• Women worry more (30%) about corporate lingo compared to just one in seven men (16%).

If you feel like your office is talking in another language, no worries – you’re certainly not alone. Learning the basics will improve your confidence in your job and help you navigate the modern workplace.

Common Corporate Jargon

Some terms are more widely used than others and will find their way into everyday communication. Knowing what they mean will help you understand workplace discussions and expectations.

1. KPI

This stands for Key Performance Indicator and are measurable values that demonstrate how effectively a company is meeting its business objectives.

2. ROI

Meaning Return on Investment, this is a measure of how much profit you can expect from an investment.

3. Onboarding

This is the process of integrating a new employee into a company, from the initial training to helping a new hire understand company culture.

Uncommon but Emerging Terms

Beyond the familiar lingo, there are several newer terms that are gaining popularity in corporate environments.

1. Boomerang employee

This is an employee who leaves a company but later returns, often bringing back valuable experience and knowledge.

2. Hygge

Based on a Danish concept, hygge is all about creating a warm and enjoyable corporate atmosphere for employees to boost productivity.

3. Neurodiversity

It refers to the inclusion and accommodation of individuals with neurological differences, such as autism, ADHD or dyslexia.

Industry-Specific Terminology

Different industries often develop their own specific jargon, which may not be immediately familiar to those outside the field.

In the tech industry, for example, the term scrum is commonly used to describe agile project management that helps teams work together on complex products. In the healthcare sector, shadowing is a common practice where a less experienced professional observes a senior colleague to learn the ropes.

The Impact of Recent Trends on Workplace Language

Recent trends such as remote working and the four-day workweek are significantly influencing the language used in corporate workplaces.

Asynchronous work refers to work that doesn’t require all team members to be online at the same time. Another term is gig economy, which is being used as more people have freelance or short-term work arrangements.