What is the best word for “brain drain” within a company?
I'm writing a proposal for work. For it, I would like a word that describes the concept of brain drain - lots of people leaving the country and taking their knowledge with them - but that is limited to within the same company.
Wikipedia (and others) defines brain drain as:
...the large-scale emigration of a large group of individuals with technical skills or knowledge.
What I'm looking to describe, however, is a situation where one or two very knowledgeable people change jobs, switch departments, or leave the company (not necessarily leaving the country) without imparting that knowledge to others. Is brain drain the best fit or are there better words?
word-choice single-word-requests
asked Feb 17 '12 at 4:27
Mr. BusterMr. Buster
12814
add a comment |
I'm writing a proposal for work. For it, I would like a word that describes the concept of brain drain - lots of people leaving the country and taking their knowledge with them - but that is limited to within the same company.
Wikipedia (and others) defines brain drain as:
...the large-scale emigration of a large group of individuals with technical skills or knowledge.
What I'm looking to describe, however, is a situation where one or two very knowledgeable people change jobs, switch departments, or leave the company (not necessarily leaving the country) without imparting that knowledge to others. Is brain drain the best fit or are there better words?
word-choice single-word-requests
asked Feb 17 '12 at 4:27
Mr. BusterMr. Buster
12814
add a comment |
I'm writing a proposal for work. For it, I would like a word that describes the concept of brain drain - lots of people leaving the country and taking their knowledge with them - but that is limited to within the same company.
Wikipedia (and others) defines brain drain as:
...the large-scale emigration of a large group of individuals with technical skills or knowledge.
What I'm looking to describe, however, is a situation where one or two very knowledgeable people change jobs, switch departments, or leave the company (not necessarily leaving the country) without imparting that knowledge to others. Is brain drain the best fit or are there better words?
word-choice single-word-requests
asked Feb 17 '12 at 4:27
Mr. BusterMr. Buster
12814
I'm writing a proposal for work. For it, I would like a word that describes the concept of brain drain - lots of people leaving the country and taking their knowledge with them - but that is limited to within the same company.
Wikipedia (and others) defines brain drain as:
...the large-scale emigration of a large group of individuals with technical skills or knowledge.
What I'm looking to describe, however, is a situation where one or two very knowledgeable people change jobs, switch departments, or leave the company (not necessarily leaving the country) without imparting that knowledge to others. Is brain drain the best fit or are there better words?
word-choice single-word-requests
word-choice single-word-requests
asked Feb 17 '12 at 4:27
Mr. BusterMr. Buster
12814
asked Feb 17 '12 at 4:27
Mr. BusterMr. Buster
12814
asked Feb 17 '12 at 4:27
Mr. BusterMr. Buster
12814
asked Feb 17 '12 at 4:27
Mr. BusterMr. Buster
12814
asked Feb 17 '12 at 4:27
Mr. BusterMr. Buster
12814
12814
add a comment |
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
The typical word for the general phenomenon of employees leaving an organization is attrition.
This word in reality can have a more significant meaning in the sense of loss of intellectual assets, thus causing a reduction in the company's overall capabilities.
So, I think you can use attrition in its primary sense or its metaphor here.
answered Feb 17 '12 at 6:30
KrisKris
32.5k541117
I like it. Thanks for your help!
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
That was the first answer I thought of when I saw the question.
– Michael Brown
Oct 8 '13 at 14:11
add a comment |
Brain Drain can be used in the situation you described, as it means:
a loss of trained professional personnel to another company, nation, etc., that offers greater opportunity.
Merriam Webster Online define it as:
the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for another usually for better pay or living conditions
answered Feb 17 '12 at 4:47
IncognitoIncognito
1,298715
-1 Brain Drain is not a synonym of Brain Drain.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:13
I did not put forward my opinion in justifying brain drain to be used in this scenario. I quoted the dictionary meaning. I would have gracefully accepted a down-vote if I would have been expressing my opinion.
– Incognito
Feb 17 '12 at 9:24
I would expect you to provide an answer, and an opinion if you would like to.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:50
Because I also asked if brain drain is the best fit I appreciate this answer, even though I think I like attrition better.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
add a comment |
I'd consider defection (an act or incidence of "abandoning or turning against; ceasing or changing one's loyalty") suitable in the context you describe, on the basis that when "knowledgeable people change jobs ... or leave the company ... without imparting that knowledge to others", they have acted disloyally. Also consider betrayal, as to betray has a sense meaning "To prove faithless or treacherous to, ... ; to be false to; to deceive; as, to betray a person or a cause."
The term brain drain is less emotionally-loaded than are defection and betrayal. The referenced wikipedia article uses a term with even less passion in it, human capital flight. It also mentions converse term brain gain and related terms brain circulation and brain waste.
answered Feb 17 '12 at 5:24
James Waldby - jwpat7James Waldby - jwpat7
62.3k1187182
I'm actually specifically looking to avoid labeling anyone as disloyal - in our company moving between departments is encouraged. Our problem is that loyal, knowledgeable employees have no way of imparting their knowledge to others. These are great words, just not the ones I need.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:46
add a comment |
A popular jargon word in the technical Sector in CHCH New Zealand is."Evapouration" The reasoning behind this is that when say Water is left standing at say 30 Celcius it will slowly evapourate despite the temperature being well below boiling point .Under such conditions the more energetic water molecules leave first .
answered 20 mins ago
AutisticAutistic
23016
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The typical word for the general phenomenon of employees leaving an organization is attrition.
This word in reality can have a more significant meaning in the sense of loss of intellectual assets, thus causing a reduction in the company's overall capabilities.
So, I think you can use attrition in its primary sense or its metaphor here.
answered Feb 17 '12 at 6:30
KrisKris
32.5k541117
I like it. Thanks for your help!
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
That was the first answer I thought of when I saw the question.
– Michael Brown
Oct 8 '13 at 14:11
add a comment |
The typical word for the general phenomenon of employees leaving an organization is attrition.
This word in reality can have a more significant meaning in the sense of loss of intellectual assets, thus causing a reduction in the company's overall capabilities.
So, I think you can use attrition in its primary sense or its metaphor here.
answered Feb 17 '12 at 6:30
KrisKris
32.5k541117
I like it. Thanks for your help!
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
That was the first answer I thought of when I saw the question.
– Michael Brown
Oct 8 '13 at 14:11
add a comment |
The typical word for the general phenomenon of employees leaving an organization is attrition.
This word in reality can have a more significant meaning in the sense of loss of intellectual assets, thus causing a reduction in the company's overall capabilities.
So, I think you can use attrition in its primary sense or its metaphor here.
answered Feb 17 '12 at 6:30
KrisKris
32.5k541117
The typical word for the general phenomenon of employees leaving an organization is attrition.
This word in reality can have a more significant meaning in the sense of loss of intellectual assets, thus causing a reduction in the company's overall capabilities.
So, I think you can use attrition in its primary sense or its metaphor here.
answered Feb 17 '12 at 6:30
KrisKris
32.5k541117
edited Feb 17 '12 at 8:15
answered Feb 17 '12 at 6:30
KrisKris
32.5k541117
answered Feb 17 '12 at 6:30
KrisKris
32.5k541117
answered Feb 17 '12 at 6:30
KrisKris
32.5k541117
32.5k541117
I like it. Thanks for your help!
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
That was the first answer I thought of when I saw the question.
– Michael Brown
Oct 8 '13 at 14:11
add a comment |
I like it. Thanks for your help!
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
That was the first answer I thought of when I saw the question.
– Michael Brown
Oct 8 '13 at 14:11
I like it. Thanks for your help!
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
I like it. Thanks for your help!
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
That was the first answer I thought of when I saw the question.
– Michael Brown
Oct 8 '13 at 14:11
That was the first answer I thought of when I saw the question.
– Michael Brown
Oct 8 '13 at 14:11
add a comment |
Brain Drain can be used in the situation you described, as it means:
a loss of trained professional personnel to another company, nation, etc., that offers greater opportunity.
Merriam Webster Online define it as:
the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for another usually for better pay or living conditions
answered Feb 17 '12 at 4:47
IncognitoIncognito
1,298715
-1 Brain Drain is not a synonym of Brain Drain.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:13
I did not put forward my opinion in justifying brain drain to be used in this scenario. I quoted the dictionary meaning. I would have gracefully accepted a down-vote if I would have been expressing my opinion.
– Incognito
Feb 17 '12 at 9:24
I would expect you to provide an answer, and an opinion if you would like to.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:50
Because I also asked if brain drain is the best fit I appreciate this answer, even though I think I like attrition better.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
add a comment |
Brain Drain can be used in the situation you described, as it means:
a loss of trained professional personnel to another company, nation, etc., that offers greater opportunity.
Merriam Webster Online define it as:
the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for another usually for better pay or living conditions
answered Feb 17 '12 at 4:47
IncognitoIncognito
1,298715
-1 Brain Drain is not a synonym of Brain Drain.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:13
I did not put forward my opinion in justifying brain drain to be used in this scenario. I quoted the dictionary meaning. I would have gracefully accepted a down-vote if I would have been expressing my opinion.
– Incognito
Feb 17 '12 at 9:24
I would expect you to provide an answer, and an opinion if you would like to.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:50
Because I also asked if brain drain is the best fit I appreciate this answer, even though I think I like attrition better.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
add a comment |
Brain Drain can be used in the situation you described, as it means:
a loss of trained professional personnel to another company, nation, etc., that offers greater opportunity.
Merriam Webster Online define it as:
the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for another usually for better pay or living conditions
answered Feb 17 '12 at 4:47
IncognitoIncognito
1,298715
Brain Drain can be used in the situation you described, as it means:
a loss of trained professional personnel to another company, nation, etc., that offers greater opportunity.
Merriam Webster Online define it as:
the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for another usually for better pay or living conditions
answered Feb 17 '12 at 4:47
IncognitoIncognito
1,298715
answered Feb 17 '12 at 4:47
IncognitoIncognito
1,298715
answered Feb 17 '12 at 4:47
IncognitoIncognito
1,298715
answered Feb 17 '12 at 4:47
IncognitoIncognito
1,298715
1,298715
-1 Brain Drain is not a synonym of Brain Drain.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:13
I did not put forward my opinion in justifying brain drain to be used in this scenario. I quoted the dictionary meaning. I would have gracefully accepted a down-vote if I would have been expressing my opinion.
– Incognito
Feb 17 '12 at 9:24
I would expect you to provide an answer, and an opinion if you would like to.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:50
Because I also asked if brain drain is the best fit I appreciate this answer, even though I think I like attrition better.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
add a comment |
-1 Brain Drain is not a synonym of Brain Drain.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:13
I did not put forward my opinion in justifying brain drain to be used in this scenario. I quoted the dictionary meaning. I would have gracefully accepted a down-vote if I would have been expressing my opinion.
– Incognito
Feb 17 '12 at 9:24
I would expect you to provide an answer, and an opinion if you would like to.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:50
Because I also asked if brain drain is the best fit I appreciate this answer, even though I think I like attrition better.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
-1 Brain Drain is not a synonym of Brain Drain.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:13
-1 Brain Drain is not a synonym of Brain Drain.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:13
I did not put forward my opinion in justifying brain drain to be used in this scenario. I quoted the dictionary meaning. I would have gracefully accepted a down-vote if I would have been expressing my opinion.
– Incognito
Feb 17 '12 at 9:24
I did not put forward my opinion in justifying brain drain to be used in this scenario. I quoted the dictionary meaning. I would have gracefully accepted a down-vote if I would have been expressing my opinion.
– Incognito
Feb 17 '12 at 9:24
I would expect you to provide an answer, and an opinion if you would like to.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:50
I would expect you to provide an answer, and an opinion if you would like to.
– Kris
Feb 17 '12 at 9:50
Because I also asked if brain drain is the best fit I appreciate this answer, even though I think I like attrition better.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
Because I also asked if brain drain is the best fit I appreciate this answer, even though I think I like attrition better.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:49
add a comment |
I'd consider defection (an act or incidence of "abandoning or turning against; ceasing or changing one's loyalty") suitable in the context you describe, on the basis that when "knowledgeable people change jobs ... or leave the company ... without imparting that knowledge to others", they have acted disloyally. Also consider betrayal, as to betray has a sense meaning "To prove faithless or treacherous to, ... ; to be false to; to deceive; as, to betray a person or a cause."
The term brain drain is less emotionally-loaded than are defection and betrayal. The referenced wikipedia article uses a term with even less passion in it, human capital flight. It also mentions converse term brain gain and related terms brain circulation and brain waste.
answered Feb 17 '12 at 5:24
James Waldby - jwpat7James Waldby - jwpat7
62.3k1187182
I'm actually specifically looking to avoid labeling anyone as disloyal - in our company moving between departments is encouraged. Our problem is that loyal, knowledgeable employees have no way of imparting their knowledge to others. These are great words, just not the ones I need.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:46
add a comment |
I'd consider defection (an act or incidence of "abandoning or turning against; ceasing or changing one's loyalty") suitable in the context you describe, on the basis that when "knowledgeable people change jobs ... or leave the company ... without imparting that knowledge to others", they have acted disloyally. Also consider betrayal, as to betray has a sense meaning "To prove faithless or treacherous to, ... ; to be false to; to deceive; as, to betray a person or a cause."
The term brain drain is less emotionally-loaded than are defection and betrayal. The referenced wikipedia article uses a term with even less passion in it, human capital flight. It also mentions converse term brain gain and related terms brain circulation and brain waste.
answered Feb 17 '12 at 5:24
James Waldby - jwpat7James Waldby - jwpat7
62.3k1187182
I'm actually specifically looking to avoid labeling anyone as disloyal - in our company moving between departments is encouraged. Our problem is that loyal, knowledgeable employees have no way of imparting their knowledge to others. These are great words, just not the ones I need.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:46
add a comment |
I'd consider defection (an act or incidence of "abandoning or turning against; ceasing or changing one's loyalty") suitable in the context you describe, on the basis that when "knowledgeable people change jobs ... or leave the company ... without imparting that knowledge to others", they have acted disloyally. Also consider betrayal, as to betray has a sense meaning "To prove faithless or treacherous to, ... ; to be false to; to deceive; as, to betray a person or a cause."
The term brain drain is less emotionally-loaded than are defection and betrayal. The referenced wikipedia article uses a term with even less passion in it, human capital flight. It also mentions converse term brain gain and related terms brain circulation and brain waste.
answered Feb 17 '12 at 5:24
James Waldby - jwpat7James Waldby - jwpat7
62.3k1187182
I'd consider defection (an act or incidence of "abandoning or turning against; ceasing or changing one's loyalty") suitable in the context you describe, on the basis that when "knowledgeable people change jobs ... or leave the company ... without imparting that knowledge to others", they have acted disloyally. Also consider betrayal, as to betray has a sense meaning "To prove faithless or treacherous to, ... ; to be false to; to deceive; as, to betray a person or a cause."
The term brain drain is less emotionally-loaded than are defection and betrayal. The referenced wikipedia article uses a term with even less passion in it, human capital flight. It also mentions converse term brain gain and related terms brain circulation and brain waste.
answered Feb 17 '12 at 5:24
James Waldby - jwpat7James Waldby - jwpat7
62.3k1187182
edited Feb 17 '12 at 5:32
answered Feb 17 '12 at 5:24
James Waldby - jwpat7James Waldby - jwpat7
62.3k1187182
answered Feb 17 '12 at 5:24
James Waldby - jwpat7James Waldby - jwpat7
62.3k1187182
answered Feb 17 '12 at 5:24
James Waldby - jwpat7James Waldby - jwpat7
62.3k1187182
62.3k1187182
I'm actually specifically looking to avoid labeling anyone as disloyal - in our company moving between departments is encouraged. Our problem is that loyal, knowledgeable employees have no way of imparting their knowledge to others. These are great words, just not the ones I need.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:46
add a comment |
I'm actually specifically looking to avoid labeling anyone as disloyal - in our company moving between departments is encouraged. Our problem is that loyal, knowledgeable employees have no way of imparting their knowledge to others. These are great words, just not the ones I need.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:46
I'm actually specifically looking to avoid labeling anyone as disloyal - in our company moving between departments is encouraged. Our problem is that loyal, knowledgeable employees have no way of imparting their knowledge to others. These are great words, just not the ones I need.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:46
I'm actually specifically looking to avoid labeling anyone as disloyal - in our company moving between departments is encouraged. Our problem is that loyal, knowledgeable employees have no way of imparting their knowledge to others. These are great words, just not the ones I need.
– Mr. Buster
Feb 17 '12 at 18:46
add a comment |
A popular jargon word in the technical Sector in CHCH New Zealand is."Evapouration" The reasoning behind this is that when say Water is left standing at say 30 Celcius it will slowly evapourate despite the temperature being well below boiling point .Under such conditions the more energetic water molecules leave first .
answered 20 mins ago
AutisticAutistic
23016
add a comment |
A popular jargon word in the technical Sector in CHCH New Zealand is."Evapouration" The reasoning behind this is that when say Water is left standing at say 30 Celcius it will slowly evapourate despite the temperature being well below boiling point .Under such conditions the more energetic water molecules leave first .
answered 20 mins ago
AutisticAutistic
23016
add a comment |
A popular jargon word in the technical Sector in CHCH New Zealand is."Evapouration" The reasoning behind this is that when say Water is left standing at say 30 Celcius it will slowly evapourate despite the temperature being well below boiling point .Under such conditions the more energetic water molecules leave first .
answered 20 mins ago
AutisticAutistic
23016
A popular jargon word in the technical Sector in CHCH New Zealand is."Evapouration" The reasoning behind this is that when say Water is left standing at say 30 Celcius it will slowly evapourate despite the temperature being well below boiling point .Under such conditions the more energetic water molecules leave first .
answered 20 mins ago
AutisticAutistic
23016
answered 20 mins ago
AutisticAutistic
23016
answered 20 mins ago
AutisticAutistic
23016
answered 20 mins ago
AutisticAutistic
23016
23016
add a comment |
add a comment |
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