action item  
An urgent task requiring immediate action—from someone else.

as discussed   
A phrase used to remind someone of a conversation that has never taken place: “You don’t remember? That’s strange. We definitely discussed it.”

assign ownership   
To dump responsibility on someone else as quickly as possible.

at the end of the day   
Never mind what happened during the day. What’s important is that no one got indicted.

bandwidth   
The total amount of brain space in which you can focus simultaneously on the estimated amount of your bonus and just how many Ferrari 599 GTB Fioranos you will be able to buy with it after taxes.

B.A.U.   
“Business as usual,” particularly if your usual business is speaking in acronyms.

best of breed  
The best example found in a particular industry or market—but typically, a dog.

best practices    
Proper processes, checks, and balances; that is, what should be done as opposed to what is actually done.

brain dump    
A modern and elegant way to describe the process of informing another of one’s knowledge on a given topic.

branded   
Pre-DCE (dotcom era), this described the status of a steer after a rancher burned his symbol of ownership into the animal’s backside; now connotes how the public perceives a company’s image. In the company’s mind, though, that poor steer will always be you.

bring to the table    
To offer something of value, perhaps really put it on the table, but never, ever to leave it there.

buy-in   
A last-ditch term to throw into your presentation when management is doing the exact opposite of agreeing or consenting.

C-level   
The designation for those at the top of your organizational chart who get private bathrooms.

circle slash    
A popular graphic design that can be used to negate anything except, alas, the circle slash itself.

communicate    
Four-syllable version of the word say or tell; used when communication is not really the main idea.

core competency   
Depending on your company’s stock price at the time, your shareholders describe this as either your ability to run a company or to play a low-scoring round of golf.

critical path   
The trail from startup to Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers funding to initial public offering to beachside house on Saint Bart’s.

deal flow   
The number of potential deals presented to venture capitalists. The more of these they have, the more readily they can dash your startup dreams.

deck  
A new word used in presentations; also lets your audience know you can afford a boat.

deliverables    
Stuff you owe your customers before they owe you a lawsuit.

dialogue   
A mode of talking in which everyone knows what will be said in advance.

disintermediate    
To eliminate the middleman and thereby put countless people out of work.

dress-down Friday    
The day your boss pulls out a sweater that cost more than your suit.

drink from the fire hose    
To quickly learn all about a topic. The fact that the learner chokes is utterly beside the point.