Now that I stay home full time with my kids, I sometimes miss the business jargon I used at work. I didn't realize how much I relied on it to communicate until I didn't need it anymore. So to keep my mind entertained while tending to some of the more mundane tasks of child rearing (i.e. cleaning, more cleaning, and laundry), I re-purposed some of the phrases I said and heard often at work for my life at home with kids.
Example: We completed a SWOT analysis to help identify key priorities for the upcoming year.
Example: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Did you just hit him? It's time for a SWOT analysis.
Example: What was our gross revenue last quarter?
Example: Don't eat that M&M off the ground; that's gross.
Example: Let's run water through the pipes to see if this new workflow solves the problem.
Example: The plumber ran water through the pipes, and it cost me $250.
Example: I wanted to close the loop on your question regarding rebates.
Example: Come here; we have to close the loop on your left shoe.
Example: Her last email created so much spin because she didn't read my original response back to the client.
Example: He created so much spin with his jumping and climbing that both kids started running and screaming through the airport.
Example: The strategic planning process is integral to our company's long term success.
Example: It took intense strategic planning today to figure out how to go grocery shopping, take Mary to ballet, and let the baby take two naps in his crib.
Example: Can you guys take that discussion offline, since it only impacts your team?
Example: Let's take this tantrum offline before we disturb the entire restaurant.
Example: Our audit of your department's processes found some low hanging fruit that will result in noticeable improvements.
Example: Are you really surprised they broke those Christmas ornaments? They were low hanging fruit dangling at the bottom of the tree.
Example: Because this project has lots of moving parts, we'll have weekly meetings with the entire team to keep everyone up-to-date.
Example: I don't know where your Shopkins went. There are lots of moving parts, and if you don't keep track of them, they disappear.
Example: Let's connect when I get back from vacation.
Example: Let's connect when the kids are over their colds.
Example: We got the boss's buy-in on our recommendation, so we can move forward.
Example: After a lengthy negotiation, I finally got her buy-in to wear shoes.
Example: I've got a hard stop at 4:00, so can we get this meeting started?
Example: I walked into the room as he was trying to hang from the chandelier, so I put a hard stop to that.
Rebecca Lang
Author