Business Jargon Update

The Window Manager has an update on two new business terms: "Woffy" and "Velcro Organization".

I've been doing my own part to advance the cause of mindless business jargon. Last week I used "transparency" in a meeting - - and with a straight face. I also used "granularity" in casual conversation with colleagues, but we all broke down laughing.

Transparency: transparent, transparency: A favorite in business and government. It can mean open, visible, accessible, publicly accountable, etc. -- without privacy or secrets. "The computer age is moving society toward greater transparency." Not to be confused with the less admirable definition of transparent -- to have obvious selfish motives. Of course, we would never think of business and government in that manner.

Granularity: granularity, granular: Sand and sugar are granular. But when business execs get down to the nitty-gritty, they’re dealing in the granularity. It’s the finite details or specific fine points of a proposal or deal.