Definition

What happens when departments stop talking to each other and pretend the other teams don't exist. The organizational version of those silage towers, except filled with miscommunication.

Example Usage

We need to break down the silos between engineering and product management.

Source: Common corporate terminology

Related Terms

Intermediate

spinoff

When a company's unwanted child becomes a successful adult—basically corporate nepotism that occasionally pays off. The unexpected bonus feature nobody asked for but somehow can't live without.

💼 Corporate / Business
Intermediate

Butt swabbery

The act of extreme, over-the-top flattery and ingratiating behavior—basically ass-kissing upgraded to an intensive, grosser, and more theatrical level of brown-nosing.

💼 Corporate / Business
Beginner

refocus

Corporate-speak for "let's pretend our previous strategy never happened and try something else." This strategic pivot involves redirecting attention, resources, or priorities when management realizes they've been staring at the wrong target. It's the business equivalent of saying "my bad" while pretending it was the plan all along.

💼 Corporate / Business
Beginner

Run the numbers

To perform calculations or financial analysis, often said by people who have no intention of actually doing the math themselves. The prelude to finding out you can't afford it.

💼 Corporate / Business
Intermediate

lipstick on a pig

Overkill or excessive effort that crosses ethical or practical boundaries; putting cosmetic fixes on something fundamentally flawed instead of addressing the core problem. It's like applying makeup to a pig—you're missing the point entirely.

💼 Corporate / Business
Intermediate

throw it over the wall

To complete your portion of work and toss it to the next team without coordination or concern for consequences. Teamwork at its most dysfunctional.

💼 Corporate / Business

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