I love this image of the "confused businsswoman." I bought it at iStockphoto.com.

MSN Careers showcased a "work lingo" quiz today, and I thought it would be fun to use it for Words of the Week. We’ve covered most of these since MBA in the USA went live in 2008.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvdmerwe/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Augmented reality is the process of overlaying the virtual world on top of the physical world through technology. Brandon demonstrated it for me the other night using an iPhone application that identified our location and overlaid a map to local restaurants on top of the view . . . → Read More: Words of the Week – augmented reality]]>

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oberazzi/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Net/Net is an updated version of the bottom line, meaning the end result.  Typically, it comes at the end of a statement someone is adding to a discussion. For example, if an MBA is walking their boss through their opinion on a proposal, they might conclude . . . → Read More: Words of the Week – Net/Net]]>

Net/Net is an updated version of the bottom line, meaning the end result.  Typically, it comes at the end of a statement someone is adding to a discussion. For example, if an MBA is walking their boss through their opinion on a proposal, they might conclude with, “Net/net we’ll make $1 million with this $10,000 investment. I recommend we do it.”

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bretarnett/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

To take a stab at means to attempt to complete a task without significant guidance.

You’ll hear this term most often in team situations. A team leader delegating a task might say, “Why don’t you take a stab at it? If you have questions, I’ll . . . → Read More: Words of the Week – take a stab at]]>

To take a stab at means to attempt to complete a task without significant guidance.

Americans also use “take a shot at” the same way.

For example, a marketer working on a product targeting teenagers might recommend running a coupon offer during the back-to-school shopping season. Their manager would probably respond, “That’s a no brainer. We make money . . . → Read More: Words of the Week – no brainer]]>

A no brainer is something that is such a good idea, it seems obvious.

For example, a marketer working on a product targeting teenagers might recommend running a coupon offer during the back-to-school shopping season. Their manager would probably respond, “That’s a no brainer. We make money motivating buyers with coupons every year. Definitely put that in your plan.”

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wakimita/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

An eye-opening experience causes you to discover something that may change your course of action. Last week, while emailing with a prospective MBA student, I recommended exploring General Management programs in addition to a very focused option. I said, “Learning the principles of management is . . . → Read More: Words of the Week | eye-opening experience]]>

Back of my mind means something that you know but are not actively thinking about, either because you’ve forgotten or it’s just not top of mind.

I’m working on a marketing piece for RW3 CultureWizard today, and the CEO asked if I had seen an . . . → Read More: Words of the Week – back of my mind]]>

Back of my mind means something that you know but are not actively thinking about, either because you’ve forgotten or it’s just not top of mind.

I’m working on a marketing piece for RW³ CultureWizard today, and the CEO asked if I had seen an existing example much like the one I want to create. I responded, “Yes! I have seen the brochure for general audiences. I think I had that in the back of my mind when I was visualizing the customization; thank you for reminding me to pull the hard copy out of my files.”

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenore-m/ / CC BY 2.0

You might hear Americans talking about “going back to the salt mines” today. Back to the salt mines means going back to work. The phrase holds a sense of dread many people feel after a vacation or long weekend.

Here’s to hoping your day holds . . . → Read More: Words of the Week – back to the salt mines]]>

You might hear Americans talking about “going back to the salt mines” today. Back to the salt mines means going back to work. The phrase holds a sense of dread many people feel after a vacation or long weekend.

Here’s to hoping your day holds excitement rather than dread!

image: ddsnet

Nitty-gritty means the details.

Managers usually contrast the term with the big picture, or strategic view. You might hear, “I don’t need to get down to the nitty-gritty with you; just give me the big picture.” Or, “I love the big picture idea; now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty to . . . → Read More: Words of the Week – nitty-gritty]]>

image: ddsnet

Managers usually contrast the term with the big picture, or strategic view. You might hear, “I don’t need to get down to the nitty-gritty with you; just give me the big picture.” Or, “I love the big picture idea; now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty to figure out how to make this work!"

image: Alba ♥ 

The original meaning of step up was to volunteer, usually for an undesirable project. For example, “Who’s going to step up and lead project X?” Over time, step up evolved to showcase someone that did a good job. For example, “Olivia really stepped up and brought home this sale.”