OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA). OSHA was created in 1970 to protect workers. The many confusing and contradicting OSHA regulations have turned the acronym into an epithet in management circles.
ODDBALL. Loner, person or thing left out of the group; strange, unusual.
“In the process of building his fortune, Jimmy A. Pattison turned Ripley's Believe It or Not!, a struggling little outfit with a giant brand name and a cache of oddball collectibles, into a thriving business.” (Forbes, March 17, 2003, p. 159)
ODD LOT. Stock trades of less than one hundred shares. One hundred shares is considered a ROUND LOT.
ODD MAN OUT. All alone.
"For years, it has been software hackers, whose tools are a keyboard and mouse, who embodied the computer subculture. Now, hardware is getting cooler, says Mr. Grand, who felt like the ‘odd man out’ in his days as a member of the < xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" prefix="st1" namespace="">
OFF BASE (TO BE). Not informed, not understand.
“Coke’s new chairman and CEO warned that third-quarter profit would fall well short of Wall Street expectations, making clear that his initial upbeat assessment of the beverage titan's prospects and strategy was off base.” (Wall Street Journal, Sept. 16, 2004, p. A1)
OFFERING PRICE. The asking price; the price paid by investors at the initial public offering.
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG). The OIG is the internal investigation division within the federal government.
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT BUDGET (OMB). The NUMBER CRUNCHING arm of the executive (White House) branch of government.
OFFPEAK PRICING. Energy pricing with lower rates during periods when demand is low.
OFFSHOOT. Derived from or variation of.
“Virgin Blue Holdings strong run in the Australian aviation market has skidded to a halt, with earnings threatened by oil prices and the launch of Qantas Airways' domestic budget offshoot, Jetstar.” (Wall Street Journal, Aug. 5, 2004, p. 1)
OFFSHORE FUNDS. Investments registered outside one’s home country for tax advantages.
“Investors are often confronted with the issue of investing in an offshore investment vehicle and hedge fund managers are often confronted with the issue of whether to set up a domestic fund, an offshore fund or both.” (Journal of Taxation of Investments, Winter 2004, p. 187)
OFFSHORE PRODUCERS. Overseas companies.
OFF THE BOOKS. Cash or barter; business done without records to avoid taxation.
“These obscure partnerships could be kept off the books -- with no footnote disclosures -- if an independent investor owned 3% of an entity's equity.” (Wall Street Journal, Sept. 22, 2004, p. A1)
OFF-THE-CUFF. Informal, initial opinion.
“The move points Starwood toward more traditional corporate leadership and away from Mr. Sternlicht's off-the-cuff style.” (Wall Street Journal, Sept. 21, 2004, p. B1)
OFF THE RECORD. Unofficially, not for quotation. Many times politicians and government bureaucrats will only speak off the record.
OFF-THE-SHELF/RACK. Readily available, not custom made.
"If you want something that is customized and made for you, you are going to get one that is tailor-made and not off the rack.” (Wall Street Journal, April 28, 2004. p. D4)
OFF THE TOP. Before any deductions are made; from the most profitable part.
“Next Sunday, Kitty Kelley's anti-Bush book, ‘The Family,’ will knock John O'Neill's Kerry-bashing book, ‘Unfit for Command,’ off the top spot on the New York Times best-seller list.” (Wall Street Journal, Sept. 28. 2004, p. A4)
OFF THE WALL. Crazy.
“While Mr. [John Malone] wasn't available to comment, and people close to him play down the idea of a sale, the notion isn't off the wall.” (Wall Street Journal, Dec. 24, 2003, p. C3)
OIL PATCH. The U.S. oil industry; specific regions of the United States noted for oil production and refining, including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, California, and Alaska.
“It's a reality that experienced oil-patch investors learned to live with long ago.” (Wall Street Journal, March 11, 2004, p. C1)
OK. All right. The term may have come from President (1837–1841) Martin Van Buren’s nickname, “Old Kinderhook.”
OLD AGE, SURVIVORS, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE (OASDI). The official name for Social Security.
OLD BOYS CLUB/NETWORK. Closed network of established business relationships.
“Perhaps the biggest surprise of ‘girls club’ is that it lacks the one thing that definitely does exist: the old boys club.” (Wall Street Journal, Oct. 20, 2003. p. B1)
OMBUDSMAN. Third party who acts as an arbitrator within an organization. The term comes from the Swedish word ombud, meaning authority to act for another.
ON A BACK BURNER. In reserve; waiting to be developed.
“Bryant L. Van Brakle, secretary of the FMC, said the petitions to allow the NVOs to sign confidential contracts with shippers remain ‘under active consideration. They're not on the back burner.’” (Journal of Commerce, August 3, 2004, p. 1)
ON ACCOUNT. Buying on credit rather than for cash.
ON ALL FOURS. Ready to go.
ON A
ON A ROLL (TO BE). A series of successes.
“The two were on a roll. They'd worked to re-elect Gov. Zell Miller of
ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET. With very little money.
ON A SIGNATURE BASIS. Based on one’s reputation or signature, without review.
“While credit cards operate almost exclusively on a signature basis, debit transactions in the majority of countries are undertaken by using the cardholder’s PIN, or by a combination of signature and PIN.” (Credit Card Management, April 1994, p. 100)
ON BOARD (TO BE). Hired; in agreement. The phrase is most often associated with jobs in government.
“After that meeting, the agency began the bold work of trying to hook up Oprah and Pontiac in a promotional deal. Ironically enough, getting GM on board was at first an uphill battle.” (Wall Street Journal, Sept. 14, 2004, p. B1)
ONCE UNHEARD OF. Never happened in the past.
“ONE-MAN-SHOW. To work alone, sole proprietor.
“With the earnestness of a schoolboy and the dramatic flourishes of a one-man show, the 28-year-old channeled the voices of his boss and his No. 1 client.” (Newsweek, March 15, 2004, p. 28).
ONE-TWO PUNCH. Two actions taken quickly one after the other (boxing).
“The entertainment retail industry was dealt a one-two punch this month when Tower Records filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection and Viacom announced plans to spin off Blockbuster Entertainment.” (DSN Retailing Today, Feb. 23, 2003, p. 3)
ONE-UPMANSHIP. Keeping a subtle psychological advantage over an opponent.
ON HIS/HER WATCH. While he or she was in charge (military).
ON PAPER. In theory.
“While saving money on paper and supplies is worth doing, it is small compared to the labor savings. Blaylock says that when making the business decision to use eFileCabinet, it was important to consider all of the costs.” (The Practical Accountant, Sept. 2004, p. 16)
ON THE BALL. Alert, effective.
“‘It's fairly urgent,’ says Philip Lim, an economist at the Korea Development Institute, or KDI. ‘The Korean government and Kogas have to get on the ball pretty soon.’" (Wall Street Journal, August 4, 2004, p 1)
ON THE BLOCK. For sale, on the auction block.
ON THE CARPET (CALLED). In trouble.
“As Sullivan's February trial approaches and his lawyers argue he should not be punished for a practice they claim is commonplace in his industry, industry observers expect the CEOs of cable companies such as Cablevision will be called to the carpet to justify any expenses they have capitalized.” (The Investment Dealers’ Digest, Oct 13, 2003, p.1)
ON THE CHEAP. Inexpensively.
“Health Management buys existing hospitals in small cities, mainly in the southeastern
ON THE CLOCK. Working.
Customer:“He’s on the clock. He can’t sit down.”
Manager:“Yes I can, I’m SCHMOOZING with customers!”
(A conversation overhead by the author while working on the first edition of this book, June 6, 1996)
ON THE FENCE. Undecided.
“While the big banks seem to want to beef-up the services in branches, others are either sitting on the fence or, as in the case of Alliance & Leicester with its decision to close some branches in favor of internet or telephone channels, going in the opposite direction.” (Financial World, August 2004, p. 24)
ON THE FIRING LINE. In the path of the action, under pressure.
“But are the woes of governors, who are saddled by balanced-budget requirements and are often on the firing line during hard times, indicative of a broader rebellion against elected officials and special-interest politics? So far, no - but that could change.” (Business Week, Oct. 20, 2003, p. 39)
ON THEIR OWN TURF. In their market or offices.
“These changes were greeted in part by the usual mutterings from RIAs who feel Schwab is trampling yet again on their own turf.” (Financial Planning, April 1, 2004, p. 1)
ON THE LAM. Hiding.
ON THE LINE. At risk.
“Computer security breaches are a recurring problem for companies, particularly those that conduct business online. A company's corporate reputation is on the line if it does not adequately secure customer information.” (Network World, Sept. 13, 2004, p. 49)
ON THE MONEY. Accurate.
“Besides the small fact that the BULLS have been absolutely on the money and the BEARS dead wrong all year, what has fed investor complacency has been the supposed lack of feverish speculation, that universally perceived telltale sign that trouble is brewing.” (Barron’s, Aug. 28, 1995, p. 3)
ON THE ROCKS. Failing; a nautical reference to a ship hitting the rocks and sinking.
ON THE SAME PAGE. In agreement.
ON THE SAME WAVELENGTH. Thinking similarly.
ON THE SIDELINES. Not involved, not participating in decision or action. The term comes from football, where if you are on the sidelines you are not in the game.
ON THE SPOT. Immediately; under pressure.
“The aide, Andy Blocker, was momentarily flummoxed. ‘You really put me on the spot there,’ Mr. Blocker said to Mr. Shuler later, both men recalled. ‘I'd appreciate it if you didn't do that again.’" (Wall Street Journal, Aug. 27, 2004, p. C1)
ON THE TABLE. UP FRONT, up for discussion.
“Just this week in an interview with Fox's Bill O'Reilly, Mr. Bush said about
ON THE TAKE. Accepting bribes or illegal payments.
“Carriers say shippers and receivers are on the take, while shippers say carriers are more unabashed than ever about trying to buy their business with entertainment and bribes.” (Distribution, March 1994, p. 34)
ON THE WINGS OF. With the support or assistance of.
“The NASDAQ* is up some 35% since 1995 started, mostly on the wings of the technology stocks.” (Barron’s, Aug. 28, 1995, p. 3)
OP. CIT. (OPERE CITATO). In the work cited (Latin).
OP/ED. Opinion/editorial section of a newspaper.
OPEN DOOR POLICY. Management policy advocating access for employees from all levels within the organization.
“It seemed simple enough a task to carry out, and terrifically symbolic, as well, for the new president of WPP Group's J Walter Thompson, New York, but it turned out to be far more time-consuming to achieve than she'd expected. Hopefully, the difficulties she encountered in establishing - literally - an open-door policy are not a harbinger of things to come for the former president of Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners,
OPEN SOURCE. Internet term for a cooperative agreement among programmers. Linux is the most widely known open source agreement.
OPEN INTEREST. The number of outstanding futures contracts.
“More than 4,500 of Procter & Gamble's October 55 puts crossed the tape, compared with open interest of 6,152. The stock fell $1.88 to $54.38 in New York Stock Exchange composite trading at
OPEN ORDER. An order that is good until canceled.
OPEN SKIES. Available to everyone.
“In
OPENING PRICE. The price paid for a stock when it is first traded on the open market. Often the opening price is considerably higher than the offering price, allowing investors who first purchased the stock to make a quick profit.
OPERATING EXPENSES (OE). All the expenses of running a business except the cost of goods sold.
OPERATING RATE. The percentage of operating capacity being used.
“By parceling trades - known as slicing and dicing - institutions could be paying a high opportunity cost as well.” (Pensions and Investments, June 28, 2004, p. 3)
OPTIMIZE (TO). Develop to full potential.
ORDERING AND SHIPPING IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM (OASIS). Computerized shipping and production control system.
ORDER OF THE DAY. Common; objectives being pursued (military).
“New products, new brands combined with new advertising is the order of the day.” (Marketing, Sept. 7, 1995, p. 9)
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES (OAS).
ORGANIZATION OF PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES (OPEC). Thirteen-member international commodity organization which seeks to limit petroleum production in order to the increase price of oil.
ORPHAN STOCK. A stock that is not followed by research analysts, usually because the company is quite small.
OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY (OPM). Borrowed funds.
OUT IN LEFT FIELD. Confused, not understanding the situation.
OUT OF LEFT FIELD. A total surprise.
OUT OF THE BALLPARK (TO KNOCK). Beyond the predicted range; excessively high (baseball).
“This [increasing the minimum wage] is going to knock the budget numbers out of the ballpark.” (Wall Street Journal, April 24, 1996, p. A1)
OUT OF THE
“With $1.7 billion to $2 billion in annual supply-chain spending, HP has become more assertive. But HP's new strategy doesn't mean the company is cutting its third-party logistics providers out of the loop.” (Journal of Commerce, Sept. 6, 2004, p. 1)
OUT OF THE MONEY. A stock option that has no value.
OUT OF THE WOODS. No longer in danger.
“Still, convinced that it is not out of the woods yet, Aqualon recently turned to the The Manager’s Network to help it tackle new challenges.” (CIO, May 1995, p. 31)
OUT OF THE WOODWORK. Appear unexpectedly.
OUT OF TOUCH. Not informed, not understanding.
“‘George Bush has proven that he's stubborn, out of touch, unwilling to change course,’ Mr. Kerry told an
OUT OF WHACK. Not right; out of balance.
OUTPLACEMENT. Services provided to recently terminated employees.
“‘Younger workers will seek employers who will further their development as professionals,’ says David Craig, vice-president and managing consultant of Drake Beam Morin, an international outplacement and career transition firm based in New York.” (Benefits Canada, Sept 2004, p. 51)
OUTSOURCE (TO). Replace company production with subcontractors.
“P & O is refusing to comment on reports it intends to outsource its ferry operation to a third party ship management company, said to be Monaco-based V Ships, to prepare the way for a sale of the business that will free it to focus on its fast-growing and profitable global container terminal.” (Journal of Commerce, Sept. 27, 2004, p. 1)
OUT THE WINDOW. Discarded; no longer in consideration.
OVERBOOK. When demand exceeds supply. Airlines often overbook and initial public offerings frequently have considerably more buy orders than the number of shares being offered.
OVERDRAFT. An account without sufficient funds to pay the check that has been written. Banks often offer overdraft protection, of course, for a fee.
OVERHANG. A large quantity of stock that is available in the market; looming problem.
“Another overhang continues to be whether options will be expensed in 2005, this would be a big negative for many technology stocks.” (InformationWeek, Sept. 13, 2004, p. 70)
OVERHEAD. Management cost associated with a specific activity.
OVERRUN. Production in excess of requirements.
OVER THE COUNTER (OTC). Stock market transactions which take place through telephone and computer networks rather than through market specialists on the exchanges.
OZONE-FRIENDLY. Products without chlorofluorocarbons.
“Their common replacement, hydroflurocarbons, although ozone-friendly, have been found to be extremely powerful greenhouse gases.” (Appropriate Technology. Apr-Jun, 2001, p. 40)
OZZIE AND HARRIET (LIKE). Traditional two-parent two-children household.
“Looking backward makes the importance of families obvious. Looking forward makes families look like an outmoded television sketch called, variously, ‘Leave It to Beaver’ or ‘Ozzie and Harriet.’" (Wall Street Journal, Jan. 7, 2003, p. A12)