These are now known as reinvestment opportunities.

or downsizing!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by redhotjo
or downsizing!!!!!!!!!!!

That is sooooooo old hat now I'm afraid. Down is a negative word so we now have 'Rightsizing' or 'making internal efficiences'. If you need any advice in management speak I will gladly PM you the mobile phone number of the tosspot who masquerades as our regional manager, provided you promise to ring the ******* at 03:00 every day :rant: :rant:

You're right that downsizing has negative connotations but rightsizing is too close to that term to do the business of misleading efficiently. Internal efficiencies also smack of cuts dressed up as something else.

I love the phrase 'reinvestment opportunties because both words suggest something different to their original meaning. 'Reinvestment'' teases with the idea that money is going to be spent but it won't happen and opportunity suggests something positive and hopeful but it isn't.

My other favourite phrase which I have used successfully in meetings when asked about a piece of work I haven't got round to starting yet is to say ,

'It's in the early stages of finalisation.' This suggests planning, progress and that the end is being worked towards. Feel free to use.

We have people who are "pre-surplus" whatever that means.

In the Soviet Union, particularly in the period when Stalin was in charge, non one could explicitly admit that the regime had any flaws, as it was already supposed to be perfect. So when reforms were introduced, they were referred to as 'further perfecting'.

Another example, in this case from the sphere of education in the UK, is the increasing reluctance to use the word 'fail'. For example, on BTEC course I believe, students who actually fail are given a 'W' grade, which stands for 'working towards' (presumably meaning working towards a pass).

We have appraisals and are marked "Top," "Good" or "Needs Improvement"

Personally I'd prefer Top, Good and "Needs P45"