The Ridiculous Business Jargon Dictionary: G-words

Do you wonder where your co-workers picked up all the ridiculous things they say? From fresh-faced interns to top management, everyone drops one of these gems occasionally. We can only hope that you're not here to actually add buzzwords to your vocabulary.

Gain traction [v.]	To increase market share.
Game plan [n.]	A sports term referring to a predetermined strategy.
Game-changing [adj.]	A sports term describing a critical point with the potential to alter the overall outcome. "Our plan to transition from products to solutions is a game-changing moment for our company." Suggested by Nick.
Gatekeeper [n.]	A person within an organization that controls the flow of information to and from managers. Can often be valuable friends.
Gazump [v.]	To increase the price of an item after an agreement has been made.
Geek out [v.]	To spend time on a project to the point of ridiculousness. "Just let him geek out on that while we get the actual work done." Suggested by queenzilla.
Generica [n.]	The parts of the US that are so overrun with national franchises, that it's impossible to tell one city from another.
Gerbil tubes [n.]	The covered walkways that connect buildings on a large campus. Suggested by Tanya
Get into bed [v.]	Beginning a close business relationship with a client or vendor. "I want to feel out their business plan before getting into bed." Suggested by Paul N.
Get the axe [v.]	To be fired.
Get-go [n.]	The beginning. "We need alignment on strategy from the get-go." Suggested by Russel H.
Ghost work [n.]	The uncompleted tasks that laid off employees leave for the rest.
Gisted [v.]	To provide a summary. "Don't forget that I want those reports gisted before they reach my desk." Suggested by Nick.
Give the dog a bone [n.]	The practice of putting an obvious error into a report for the boss to find, in order to appease the type that MUST make changes. Can help curtail changes to important things and satisfy his micromanagerial urges. Suggested by Sam.
Give the nod [exp.]	To approve of a course of action.
Glad-handing [v.]	To shake hands with all present. "If you're finished glad-handing around the room, we can get started here."
Glass ceiling [n.]	The invisible barrier to career progression that is sometimes experienced by minorities and women.
Glide-path [n.]	A multi-purpose rubbish phrase indicating the expected trajectory of unknown outcomes. "Let's discuss the expected glide-path on that asset allocation at tomorrow's meeting." Suggested by Tom T.
Go suit [v.]	To be promoted to a management position and forget your technical roots (and possibly skills).
Go-live [n.]	The public debut of a project. "Fifteen days till go-live, people. Get it done." Suggested by Brett.
Goat rodeo [n.]	An especially chaotic meeting or event. "The last earning's call was a complete goat rodeo." Suggested by ML.
Gofer [n.]	A subordinate worker who is often given menial tasks.
Going forward [exp.]	Looking toward the future. Usually serves to simply add two filler words to the start of your sentence. "Going forward, we see earnings improving in core markets in Latin America, with even better results in the expanding Asian markets." Suggested by Tom N.
Goldbricker [n.]	An employee who works harder at looking valuable than actually contributing.
Golden goose [n.]	A company's most highly valued asset.
Golden handcuffs [n.]	Monetary incentives used to retain executives.
Golden parachute [n.]	A generous compensation package. Often given to executives after they are layed-off.
Good-to-go [adj.]	A person, place or thing that is ready. A good rule of thumb: If it's your teenager's favourite expression, it doesn't belong at work. Suggested by Frank the Tank
Goodness [n.]	Elements of quality. "There is much goodness in your proposal." Uggh. Suggested by John R.
Gracious Space [n.]	A safe, supportive setting where all can feel comfortable, warm... creative. And nobody ever challenges your PC worldview. Suggested by Anne K.
Granular [adj.]	In excessive detail. "Summarize this for me, you're being to granular." Ugh.
Grassroots [adj.]	Built from the bottom up, without any formal training or organization. Suck on that, elitists!
Gravy [n.]	1) Any additional benefits above and beyond the expected outcome. 2) A boon or windfall. "If we peak above the forecasted earnings, we're talking pure gravy." Suggested by Jonny A.
Grease [v.]	To bribe.
Grease the skids [v.]	To give advance notice to a select group before public action is taken. "Let's connect over breakfast so I can grease the skids before the board votes."
Greater fool theory [exp.]	The idea that there is always someone willing to pay a higher (and totally unreasonable) price.
Green field [adj.]	Virgin territory. A client that has never used your product nor anything like it. Suggested by Scott.
Green-field thinking [n.]	Considering an area of potential innovation. "Why don't you drop the green-field thinking and clearly define what we are already doing." Suggested by Amy L.
Greenwashing [v.]	Claimed environmental practices that are nothing more than PR fluff.
Grey-sourcing [v.]	Hiring ancient programmers to support equally ancient IT systems. Suggested by Steve H.

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