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 borrowed sports term referring to a predetermined strategy.
Game-changing [adj.]	Describes a fundamental shift. "Our transition from products to solutions is nothing short of game-changing." Suggested by Nick.
Gatekeeper [n.]	A person that controls the flow of visitors and information to/from management. You should get lunch with this person.
Gazump [v.]	To increase the price of an item after an agreement has been made.
Generica [n.]	The parts of the US that are so overrun with national franchises, that it's impossible to tell one city from another.
Geography [n.]	Sales region. "No way I can make that 4 o'clock. It's clear across my geography."
Gerbil tubes [n.]	The covered walkways that connect buildings on a large campus. Suggested by Tanya
Get into bed [v.]	To begin a close business relationship. "I want to airtight due diligence before getting into bed on this." Suggested by Paul N.
Get the axe [v.]	To be fired.
Get-go [n.]	The beginning. "We need strategy alignment 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.]	To add an obvious error to a report for the boss to find and correct. Helps avoid changes to the important bits. 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 the room, we can all get started."
Glide path [n.]	The planned series of steps that lead to a defined goal. "I'm not going play-by-play on the glide path, just hit your damn numbers." 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 earnings call was a complete and total goat rodeo." Suggested by ML.
Gofer [n.]	A subordinate worker who is often given menial tasks.
Going forward [exp.]	Two words of unnecessary filler that are often used to shift focus from negative past results to bright future possibilities. "Market headwinds dipped our bottomline, but we're expecting higher earnings on a go-forward basis." 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 laid-off.
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."
Grassroots [adj.]	Built from the bottom up, without any formal training or organization. Suck on that, elitists!
Grasstops [n.]	People in positions of leadership or influence at the local level (an unfortunate play on the word "grassroots"). "Our grasstops efforts have really put us on the map in central Delaware."
Gravy [n.]	1) Any additional benefits beyond what's expected. 2) A boon or windfall. "If we peak above the earnings forecast, it's 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 and I'll grease the skids before the board votes."
Greater fool theory [exp.]	The idea that there is always someone willing to pay a higher (and unreasonable) price.
Green field [adj.]	Virgin territory, an untapped market. Suggested by Scott.
Green-field thinking [n.]	Considering new markets and innovations. "Why don't you drop the green-field thinking and just define what we're 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.
Grip and grin [n.]	Obligatory hand shaking and fake smiles before a meeting. "Now that we've taken care of the grip and grins, shall we begin?" Suggested by Primus