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Business

Business Babble

What they mean, generally speaking, is “no”, but they’re trying to be polite. So whether you’re looking for a job, or an investor, or a partner, or a publisher for your book, or a distributor for your product, or whatever the case may be, you can rely on the helpful translations below.

Said: I’ll have to get back to you on that.
Meant: I won’t get back to you on that.

Said: I’ll have to think that over.
Meant: No

Said: We’d like to be involved, but we’ve got a lot on our plates now.
Meant: No

Said: We’re in a challenging environment.
Meant: No: We’re not making money now.

Said: We’re just beginning to explore our options.
Meant: Not now, and probably not later.

Used together: We’re just beginning to explore our options; We’d like to be involved, but we’ve got a lot on our plates now, I’ll have to think that over and get back to you.
Meant: Absolutely Not.

Said: We like to think outside the box.
Meant: We use a lot of clichés and read a lot of business books, and then do it the same way everyone else does, which means “No.”

Said: We’re seeking partnership opportunities.
Meant: We need money. Now you get to tell them “No.”

The people with whom you work reflect your own attitude. If you are suspicious, unfriendly and condescending, you will find these unlovely traits echoed all about you. But if you are on your best behavior, you will bring out the best in the persons with whom you are going to spend most of your waking hours.


~ Beatrice Vincent

Integrity is praised and starves.


~ Decimus Junius Juvenalis
Roman Poet
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