Common Business Acronyms (A–Z)
Decode workplace acronyms at a glance. Clear definitions and quick examples to help you stay confident in meetings, emails, and Slack.
| Acronym | Definition & Example |
|---|---|
| A/B Testing |
Testing two versions to see which performs better.
Example: "Run an A/B test on the landing page."
|
| ADR |
Average Daily Rate (common in retail/hospitality).
Example: "Our ADR increased last quarter."
|
| AI |
Artificial Intelligence.
Example: "We use AI to automate workflows."
|
| API |
Application Programming Interface.
Example: "The app connects through an API."
|
| ARR |
Annual Recurring Revenue.
Example: "ARR hit $3M this year."
|
| ATS |
Applicant Tracking System.
Example: "Our ATS scans resumes for keywords."
|
| B2B/B2C/B2G |
Business-to-Business / Business-to-Consumer /
Business-to-Government.
Example: "We sell B2C subscriptions."
|
| BAU |
Business As Usual.
Example: "After the event, we return to BAU."
|
| BI |
Business Intelligence.
Example: "BI dashboards show sales trends."
|
| BOM |
Bill of Materials.
Example: "Update the BOM before production."
|
| BRG/ERG |
Business Resource Group / Employee Resource Group.
Example: "Join the ERG for mentorship."
|
| CAC |
Customer Acquisition Cost.
Example: "Our CAC dropped 12% this quarter."
|
| CAGR |
Compound Annual Growth Rate.
Example: "Revenue grew at a 7% CAGR."
|
| CAPEX/OPEX |
Capital Expenditure / Operational Expenditure.
Example: "This upgrade is CAPEX."
|
| CEO/CFO/CTO/COO |
C-Suite leaders.
Example: "Ask the CTO about the roadmap."
|
| CPI |
Consumer Price Index.
Example: "CPI affects pricing decisions."
|
| CRM |
Customer Relationship Management.
Example: "All leads go into the CRM."
|
| CS |
Customer Success.
Example: "CS handles onboarding."
|
| CSAT |
Customer Satisfaction Score.
Example: "Our CSAT is 4.6."
|
| CTA |
Call to Action.
Example: "The CTA is 'Apply Now.'"
|
| CTR |
Click-Through Rate.
Example: "Higher CTR = better engagement."
|
| DEI/DEIB |
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging.
Example: "We share DEI metrics yearly."
|
| DNS |
Domain Name System.
Example: "Update the DNS settings."
|
| E2E |
End-to-End.
Example: "We manage the process E2E."
|
| EOD/EOW |
End of Day / End of Week.
Example: "Send it by EOD."
|
| ETA |
Estimated Time of Arrival.
Example: "ETA on the draft?"
|
| ETL |
Extract, Transform, Load (data).
Example: "ETL updates nightly."
|
| FIFO/LIFO |
First in First Out / Last in First Out (inventory).
Example: "We use FIFO."
|
| FTE |
Full-Time Equivalent.
Example: "Team adds 2 FTEs."
|
| FY/Q1–Q4 |
Fiscal Year / Quarters.
Example: "Goal is FY26 Q2."
|
| GAAP |
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Example: "Results follow GAAP."
|
| GTM |
Go-To-Market strategy.
Example: "We need a GTM plan."
|
| HRIS |
Human Resources Information System.
Example: "HRIS houses payroll data."
|
| IC |
Individual Contributor.
Example: "This role is IC level."
|
| IoT |
Internet of Things.
Example: "Smart sensors run on IoT."
|
| KPI |
Key Performance Indicator.
Example: "Main KPI is response time."
|
| L&D |
Learning & Development.
Example: "Use your L&D stipend."
|
| LOA |
Leave of Absence.
Example: "She's on LOA this month."
|
| LTIP |
Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Example: "Equity is part of the LTIP."
|
| MBO |
Management by Objectives.
Example: "MBOs finalize next week."
|
| MVP |
Minimum Viable Product.
Example: "Ship the MVP first."
|
| NDA |
Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Example: "Sign the NDA before access."
|
| NPS |
Net Promoter Score.
Example: "Our NPS is 62."
|
| OKR |
Objectives & Key Results.
Example: "OKRs reset quarterly."
|
| OTA |
Over-the-Air (updates).
Example: "Phones updated OTA."
|
| P&L |
Profit & Loss.
Example: "Read the P&L before budgeting."
|
| PAF/PTR |
Personnel Action Form / Position Transfer Request.
Example: "Submit a PAF for changes."
|
| PIP |
Performance Improvement Plan.
Example: "She's on a 60-day PIP."
|
| PM/PO/PMM |
Product Manager / Product Owner / Product Marketing
Manager.
Example: "Ask the PM about requirements."
|
| PPP |
Purchasing Power Parity.
Example: "Pricing differs due to PPP."
|
| QA/QC |
Quality Assurance / Quality Control.
Example: "QA tests before launch."
|
| QoQ/YoY |
Quarter-over-Quarter / Year-over-Year.
Example: "Sales are up YoY."
|
| RFP/RFI/RFQ |
Request for Proposal / Information / Quote.
Example: "Submit the RFP by Monday."
|
| ROI |
Return on Investment.
Example: "ROI is 3:1."
|
| RSU/ESPP |
Restricted Stock Units / Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Example: "RSUs vest over four years."
|
| SaaS |
Software as a Service.
Example: "We sell SaaS tools."
|
| SDK |
Software Development Kit.
Example: "Integrate using the SDK."
|
| SEO/SEM |
Search Engine Optimization / Marketing.
Example: "SEO efforts boosted traffic."
|
| SKU |
Stock Keeping Unit.
Example: "Update the SKU list."
|
| SLAs |
Service Level Agreements.
Example: "Support responds within SLA."
|
| SME |
Subject-Matter Expert.
Example: "Loop in the SME."
|
| SOP |
Standard Operating Procedure.
Example: "Follow the SOP."
|
| SWOT |
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.
Example: "Do a SWOT before planning."
|
| TBD/TBA |
To Be Determined / Announced.
Example: "Schedule is TBD."
|
| TAT |
Turnaround Time.
Example: "TAT needs improvement."
|
| TIC/TOC |
Time in Chair / Type of Change (context-dependent).
Example: "Add TOC notes."
|
| TL;DR |
Too Long; Didn't Read.
Example: "TL;DR at the top helps."
|
| UI/UX |
User Interface / User Experience.
Example: "Improve UX flow."
|
| WFM |
Workforce Management.
Example: "WFM tools schedule shifts."
|
| WIP |
Work in Progress.
Example: "Design is still WIP."
|
| WYSIWYG |
What You See Is What You Get (editors).
Example: "Use the WYSIWYG editor."
|
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