Business Idioms

ballpark figure-- a rough estimate of a number or quantity

to be on the same page—agreement on terms, concepts, ideas…thinking alike
to be snowed—you are overwhelmed with work, information, ...
bring something to the table—you contribute or provide input/ideas/ thoughts, etc etc etc
bring somebody up to speed—someone has missed something—gap must be filled
by the book—complied 100% with the rules or code or law…
call the shots—the boss calls the shots—the decision maker
to chair the meeting—the chairperson controls the meetings
cold call--unsolicited
a contingency plan—plan B; backup plan; fall back plan
a core competency—essential skill, resource, asset—a core competency gives
competitive advantage to provide a better product/service at a better price
to discontinue a product—stop marketing the product; competitor has brought out a
better product; product obsolescence
a dress code
due diligence—company A wants to buy company B (M&A—mergers and acquisitions-
divest)
due to unforeseen circumstances—did not anticipate this--
to get the ball rolling—start the action
to give someone the axe (informal) terminate (formal)
to go over budget
going forward
a golden parachute—CEO is terminated and receives a large payout package--
to have a quick word with someone
to hit a target
in bulk
in the loop (out of the loop)—kept informed
an intangible asset—intellectual property
a tangible asset—property, plant, equipment, cash
to keep/stay on track—are we on schedule
to make a good impression
market research
null & void—because of default on the part of one party provisions/terms/contract no
longer in existence
on a “need-to-know” basis—provide info/details only to a person who needs the infor
per my last email
to put something on the “back burner”—postponed to a later date, no longer important
now
to reach a tentative agreement—not final
repeat business
to run behind schedule
to run on schedule
to secure funding—we talk about funding or capital
a stumbling block
to think outside the box
through the roof
a tight budget
to touch base (to catch up)
a unique selling point/ a “unique selling proposition” (USP)
to waive a fee
word of mouth