Investment Gladiator Pillows

'Activist investors are here to see you and they're wearing boxing gloves.'

"Forget five-year plans. Let's just figure out how to make it to lunch."

Brian wanted to call the presentation "Synergy". Paula wanted to call it "Cooperation". They could never agree.

Rage.

"Well, it looks like the merger is off."

Bad for you but to die for

"Well, it's unanimous. Instead of going out of business quietly, with dignity and grace, we've decided to end things killer asteroid-style, taking as many of our competitors with us as possible!"

"Oh dear...I don't think negotiations are going too well..."

"When you've been here as long as I have, you'll start to burn out"

'Dog eat dog.'

'I'm telling ya, it's a jungle out there.'

'I'd better make a note of your blood group...'

They loved the presentation on competing in the marketplace.

'I feel confident about our presentation. If there is any blowback, don't worry. We're both wearing our flak jackets under our suits.'

This castle manager job better be for real.

'Next on 'evening shouting match'...is it a bull or bear market?'

'So far we're holding off overseas competition.'

"They pay well but they expect a lot from you."

'I'm calling you out, account to account.'

'So...worked in 'IT' long?'

"It's a 24/7 work culture out there!"

"Do we want to tackle this head on, or just stun it with a glancing blow until Monday?"

"The quicksand was corporate's idea. I wanted to fire you for going over my head. They wanted to send a message."

"A Japanese company will deliver them to us for �6.75 a thousand."

"I feel your pain. It's the least I can do for not paying you like a man."

Business cartoon showing a stressed business woman who has three urgent messages on her office door.

'I've fired the entire company except you, Jerkins. You'll have more work without pay, but you do have job security.'

'You want this, don't you? The hate is swelling in you now. Take the red whiteboard marker. Give in to your anger.'

Boardroom Armour

'I take it this department has had conflicts.'

'We're facing a hostile takeover.'

The rat race

"There goes the merger between Brigg's corporation and Ludlow industries!"

"I've called the meeting to discuss the problem of stress int he workplace."