Say it like this
- There's real synergy between the two teams.
- We expect cost synergies from the merger.
- Let's look for synergies with the data team.
Use it at work
In strategy talk
- There's clear synergy between the two products.
- The main synergy is a shared data platform.
In finance and M&A
- We expect cost synergies of 15%.
- Revenue synergies will take longer.
Saying it plainly
- We can reuse their API instead of building our own.
- Both teams need the same dashboard, so let's build it once.
Don't say this
Synergy can be uncountable (a lot of synergy) or countable for specific benefits (many synergies).
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| synergy | extra value from working together | leaders, strategy, finance | mergers and partnerships |
| alignment | agreeing on the same goal | managers and teams | getting everyone on the same page |
| leverage | use something for more effect | business talk | reusing an existing asset |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. You want to say two teams could share work. What sounds most natural to engineers?
2. The merger is expected to bring cost _______ of about 10%.
3. Which sentence uses synergy correctly?
4. Rewrite in plain English: 'We will leverage synergies across teams.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"There's real synergy between the two teams."
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More about synergy
Real examples(3)
- in an all-hands
"Bringing design and engineering into one org should create more synergy."
- in a strategy doc
"The main synergy is that both products use the same identity service."
- in an acquisition announcement
"The deal is expected to deliver $20 million in annual cost synergies."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Overusing synergy can make you sound vague. Back it up with a specific example.
- ✕Let's synergy the teams.✓Let's get the teams working together.
Synergy is a noun. The verb "synergize" exists but sounds very jargony.
- ✕There are synergies. (with no detail)✓We can reuse the same login service, which saves two months.
Without a concrete example, synergy sounds like buzzword talk.
Other forms(2)
- synergistic adjective
"The two products are synergistic."
- synergize verb (jargon)
"Teams are encouraged to synergize, but most people avoid this word."
Often used with(3)
- cost synergies · savings from combining companies
- create synergy · make two things work better together
- look for synergies · search for ways to combine efforts
Similar words(3)
- collaboration · simpler, more natural
- combined benefit · plain English
- overlap · when two efforts share work
Opposites(3)
- duplication
- working in silos
- conflict
Questions(4)
- What does synergy mean in business?
- It means two teams, products or companies working together to create more value than they would apart.
- What are cost synergies?
- Savings that come from combining two companies, for example sharing offices, tools or teams.
- Is synergy a buzzword?
- Often, yes. It is fine in strategy and finance, but in everyday team talk a concrete example sounds better.
- What is the adjective of synergy?
- "Synergistic", as in "a synergistic partnership".
