Pronunciation: BENCH-mark Origin: Originally a surveying term from the 19th century, referring to a reference point. A benchmark is a

Pronunciation: AK-shuh-nuh-buhl Origin: Derived from the Latin actio, meaning "a doing or performing." Actionable refers to information or

Pronunciation: MIT-ih-gayt Origin: From the Latin word mitigare, meaning "to soften" or "to calm." To mitigate

Pronunciation: VAL-yoo prop-uh-ZISH-un Origin: From Latin valere (to be worth) and French proposition (an offer or proposal). A value proposition

Pronunciation: STEYK-hohl-der Origin: A 20th-century term combining "stake," meaning an interest or investment, and "holder," meaning

Pronunciation: PAR-uh-dahym Origin: From the Greek word paradeigma, meaning "pattern" or "example." A paradigm refers to

Pronunciation: SKEY-luh-bil-i-tee Origin: From the Latin word scala, meaning "ladder" or "stairway," implying the ability to

Pronunciation: STREEM-lahyn Origin: Coined in the early 20th century, initially used in engineering to describe designs that reduce resistance. To

Pronunciation: LEV-er-ij Origin: From the French word lever, meaning "to raise." Leverage in business refers to using resources,

Pronunciation: SIN-er-jee Origin: Derived from the Greek word synergos, meaning "working together." Synergy is a cornerstone concept in