In other words, do not go to the market with your new product or service (or change the existing one) before you fully understand what the customer wants. (Note: Do not ever let the customer know you’re referring to him or her as a dog.) It can also describe making personnel policy changes that might

Used to describe a system that is very robust and probably expensive, but underutilized. If a new printing press costing $750,000 only runs two hours a day, it’s a good example of this situation. Use: “The new computer system was very powerful and was capable of doing much more than we could utilize. I know

From the old TV series, “Get Smart.” You remember, right? Secret agent Maxwell Smart would meet with his colleagues under a large glass dome so that only the party he was talking to could hear what he was saying. Use: “HR Director Donna called her friend Lori, an HR director at another company, to verify

I suppose this one is self-explanatory, but the bottom line in executive circles is that “close” doesn’t really mean very much in most endeavors and is generally unacceptable. In short, you either achieve the success you planned for or you don’t. In any of the above events, close does count, but not in any other

What metaphorically lies ahead for someone who was, or might be, held accountable for an undesirable performance. It might include termination, public admonishment, or other serious punishment. The consequences of his actions will be so severe that it brings to mind thoughts of severed limbs, beatings, or anything that causes blood loss. It might also