Abstract :
A generally agreed definition of what key business terms actually mean is frequently only arrived at after a long drawn out process of trial and error, misunderstanding, bad feeling and costly mistakes. Clarity of definition is particularly crucial for organisations that wish to plan and implement change successfully. But all too often change programmes (or projects) are characterised by groups of people in a huddle muttering ´but what does it mean?´ Without clear, commonly understood definitions nothing can be on a sound footing. In order to address these and other grey areas, we would recommend that businesses develop a list of key business terms and their definitions. The list can be regarded as a starter kit for discussion, agreement and to be built on. To help in this process the author´s list of over 100 terms can be used. Whilst the list does not claim to be complete or to contain the only correct definition of these terms, it is at least consistent-and something ´which reasonable people can agree on and do business with´.
