To leverage sth with sb

Question

I don't quite understand what the verb "leverage" stands for in:

"For example, we're now leveraging grid computing and other Acxiom technologies with our outsourcing clients."
Does "leverage" mean "offer" here? Or maybe "use"? I have no idea and I'd be much obliged if you could help me.
Kamil

Usenet · Accepted Answer

KS typed thus:
[nq:1]I don't quite understand what the verb "leverage" stands for in: "For example, we're now leveraging grid computing and other ... mean "offer" here? Or maybe "use"? I have no idea and I'd be much obliged if you could help me.[/nq]
A lever multiplies effort - a small effort at one end of the lever converts to a more powerful effort at the other end.

"to leverage" is ghastly business jargon for "to gain advantage from", or "to use ... to improve business".
The sentence above means something like: "we're using grid computing with our clients to improve our profit".

David
==

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I don't quite understand what the verb "leverage" stands for in: "For example, we're now leveraging grid computing and other ... mean "offer" here? Or maybe "use"? I have no idea and I'd be much obliged if you could help me.[/nq]
It's one more horrible example of MBA-speak, the verbing of the English-speaking world. Orwell could have done a number on this too, could he possibly have foreseen it.

dg

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I don't quite understand what the verb "leverage" stands for ... and I'd be much obliged if you could help me.[/nq]
[nq:1]It's one more horrible example of MBA-speak, the verbing of the English-speaking world. Orwell could have done a number on this too, could he possibly have foreseen it.[/nq]
As one of those MBAs being blamed, I have to come somewhat to the defense of the usage. To "leverage" something means, basically, to use some other tool to do something easier. When a business leverages a purchase of another business, the leveraging business uses a small amount of money to accomplish a large task. The small amount of money, and the way that it is assembled, is the tool.

In the case of the cited usage, the company is saying that they are using their grid computing technologies to acquire new business. The tool is the grid computing technology.
Yes, it is "MBA-speak", but it allows the writer or speaker to use one word to describe a business technique. When a word becomes recognizable for its new usage, it eliminates the need for a lengthy explanation. Lengthy explanations can be a problem. You can over-simplify (as I have done above) and insult some readers, or you can over-explain and waste the time of the reader that understands the concept without explanation.
I don't see it as "horrible". It serves a purpose, and that's what any word is for. If you're not involved in situations where the concept of leveraging is used, the word won't come and attack you. It sits there waiting for an appropriate use.
The cited statement could read: "For example, we're now using our developed grid computing, and other Acxiom technologies, to acquire new business."
Better plain English? Yeah, maybe, but the above loses one of the points the writer is trying to make: a previously developed technology is being used as a means of securing new clients or offering existing clients new services. That word "leverage" implies something in the mind of the reader. Remember, this is a business that is trying to come across as progressive and innovative. It's not a set of instructions on how to assemble a swing set.

I dislike "outsourcing", but it's not much different. Rather than saying that the company uses other businesses to complete part of whatever it is the company provides, "outsourcing" has become business shorthand for this.
I'm not particularly disturbed by creation of jargon. What does bother me is the writer that crams all of the jargon he can into something, and uses a jargon term where a simple term would work. Sometimes the writer comes across as trying too hard to impress.

I have a hunch that the practice is not limited to my fellow MBAs. I'm sure there are other fields where the writer strives to impress with word choice rather than follow the simple route. Some of you here in the field of education may have seen this.

Any of you in education ever read something like "The kids aren't very bright, they don't pay attention, they have no respect for authority, and they act like spoiled brats."? Try writing this as an educator would if the educator wanted to sound like an educator.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]As one of those MBAs being blamed, I have to come somewhat to the defense of the usage. To "leverage" ... to accomplish a large task. The small amount of money, and the way that it is assembled, is the tool.[/nq]
...
[nq:1]Any of you in education ever read something like "The kids aren't very bright, they don't pay attention, they have ... act like spoiled brats."? Try writing this as an educator would if the educator wanted to sound like an educator.[/nq]
I don't use many smilies but probably should have here. My "attacks" are generally meant at least partially in jest.

I was hoping that "the verbing of the English-speaking world" was sufficiently over the top that it would indicate some humor in my response.
As you point out, this is not something limited to MBAs but is widespread, every profession has its jargon file, and it's usually very thick.
I have a heart condition that would normally be described as "an enlarged heart". The medical term is "idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy". Cardiomyopathy means 'something wrong with the heart", dilated means enlarged, and idiopathic means "of unknown origin". One of my docs agress with me that the word should be "idiotpathic"

dg

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I don't quite understand what the verb "leverage" stands for ... idea andI'd be much obliged if you could help me.[/nq]
[nq:1]It's one more horrible example of MBA-speak, the verbing of the English-speaking world. Orwell could have done a number on this too, could he possibly have foreseen it.[/nq]
Leveraging may be a backformation from
leveraged buyout, which meant buying a public
company with someone else's (private) money
(common practice during the hectic 1980s.)

Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]As one of those MBAs being blamed, I have to come somewhat to the defense of the usage. To "leverage" ... to accomplish a large task. The small amount of money, and the way that it is assembled, is the tool.[/nq]
In the medical device development world, it's pretty common to reference testing that was conducted on a previous version for assessing characteristics that have not changed in the new version. In those cases we say we will leverage the previous testing.
[nq:1]I'm not particularly disturbed by creation of jargon. What does bother me is the writer that crams all of the ... a jargon term where a simple term would work. Sometimes the writer comes across as trying too hard to impress.[/nq]
My employer recently hired a product manager who turned out to be not much more than a master of stringing together jargon. His writing was generally devoid of content. Needless to say, he didn't last long.

Theodore (Ted) Heise (Email Removed) Bloomington, IN, USA

Usenet · Answer

Cook, Inc?

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]My employer recently hired a product manager...[/nq]
[nq:1]Cook, Inc?[/nq]
There aren't too many other medical device firms in Bloomington, now are there?

Theodore (Ted) Heise (Email Removed) Bloomington, IN, USA

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Cook, Inc?[/nq]
[nq:1]There aren't too many other medical device firms in Bloomington, now are there?

[/nq]
The company I used to work for distributed the Cook products early on. They had a pretty limited line at first. Bill Cook (I think that was his name) gave me a tour of the plant. Wasn't all that impressive in those days (early 70s).

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]There aren't too many other medical device firms in Bloomington, now are there?

[/nq]
[nq:1]The company I used to work for distributed the Cook products early on. They had a pretty limited line at first. Bill Cook (I think that was his name) gave me a tour of the plant. Wasn't all that impressive in those days (early 70s).[/nq]
Bill started very small in his garage. It's grown a bit since. http://www.cookgroup.com/

Theodore (Ted) Heise (Email Removed) Bloomington, IN, USA

To leverage sth with sb

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions