A utopian future landscape where all corporate processes run flawlessly, designed to distract the client from the burning wreck of their current operations.
What they actually mean
A fictional scenario we will charge you seven figures to draw on a PowerPoint slide.
Heard in the wild
"Once we migrate to the cloud, our to-be state will feature seamless, automated real-time reporting."
The systematic dissemination of information down the corporate hierarchy, ensuring it becomes progressively more diluted and less comprehensible at each level.
"I'll cascade the minutes from the executive steering committee to the wider project team."
Translation
"I am forwarding a ninety-page PDF I haven't read to people who won't read it."
An esteemed colleague of equal or greater seniority whom you enlist to co-sign an untested theory, effectively halving your professional liability if things go wrong.
"I'd love to use you as a thought partner on this slide deck before we present to the board."
Translation
"Please share the blame for this."
To place a placeholder event in a calendar with the tacit agreement that it will be immediately deleted the moment a more attractive or lucrative option presents itself.
"Let's pencil in a coffee next Thursday afternoon."
Translation
"I will cancel this on Thursday morning."