High Flying

The above sign is from outside a French business and "Vol" means flight in French. 'High Flying' means very successful, especially academically or in  business. It is often marked by extravagance, pretension or excessive ambition. So 14% Vol is far less pretentious and to be applauded..... unless you're actually flying: If so, the missing 86% is going to become very important, nay critical. You may not be flying at all. 

Back To The Drawing Board

A phrase used to indicate that an idea, scheme or proposal has been unsuccessful and that it is time to draw up a new one. A drawing board used to be a large flat piece of wood on which paper is spread by architects, artists and designers. Now they just click their mouse around a screen. Hence, a 'drawing board' is so old-fashioned that "going back" to it may indicate it's time to retire or learn a whole set of new, up-to-date phrases to impress people with. The above drawing is done on a board - and that's really where any similarity ends.

Checks And Balances

A phrase meaning 'making sure you're not going off on one'. However, here we see that it's simply about checking that the team can actually balance. An out-of-balance team is not what you want.

Have Your Cake And Eat It

You really can't "have your cake AND eat it" because the practicalities of eating it mean that the cake will no longer be intact. This is primary school science but unfortunately is frequently conveniently forgotten by over-optimistic executives. If you ever hear one of these stripes use the phrase followed by "... so step up to the plate and face the music.."you'll know it's time to resign before someone gets hurt. To fully enjoy your cake, have it, then eat it, Simples.

Walking On Eggshells

This phrase is no yolk, it refers to being careful about what you say or do around certain people because anything could set them off and turn the situation rotten. Actually, walking on eggshells happens when someone has had a boiled egg by the river and the lazy blighter couldn't be bothered to tidy up. 

Let'sTouch Base Offline

Corporate twaddle-speak for arranging a good old gossip away from the prying ears that are currently listening. Usually it's not clear where the 'base' is so such arrangements are often unsuccessful. Meanwhile in the real World... if you start at 'base', protocol normally demands that you climb higher. NEVER do it 'offline' because the line is the safety feature that prevents you falling back snakes and ladders style. 

Ideas Shower

Scientists say that when we are in the shower and relaxed our body produces more dopamine, a neuro-transmitter. This helps us to turn our minds inwards and make insightful connections. So jumping into a hot tub in a hail shower is the absolute best, proven, certified way to really get ahead in the ideas arena. It's best done on work time.

Forward Planning

Is there any other kind of preparedness? "Forward Planning" is an excellent example of using two words when one would be fine. Backwards Planning is only useful if you have a time machine. In the picture we see the tools of a good planning session, one that could go on well into the small hours and achieve top-notch plans: The Scotch and Genepi can be substituted for alternative strong stimulants. The 'forward' part of the planning will involve a spare bottle or two in case supplies run low.