approach

business slang A management style or approach in which the manager only becomes involved in a matter when a problem is perceived to have arisen, especially when he or she has little other knowledge about said matter and only causes more problems as a result of his or her involvement. I'm sick of this new boss's seagull approach. If he would just let us get on with our work instead of swooping in every time there's a hiccup, we'd nearly be finished by now!

In business, a marketing strategy in which a very narrow, focused, or selective group, demographic, or population is targeted or advertised to. Our competitors have been drawing away a large proportion of the market share of teenaged customers, so our next marketing campaign is going to have a rifle approach to get them back.

In business, a marketing strategy in which a wide and nonselective population or demographic is reached or advertised to. We don't yet have much brand recognition in the market, so we're going with a shotgun approach to reach as many potential customers as we can.

A motivational tactic that uses a reward and punishment system to encourage improved performance or behavior. Companies are slowly learning that the carrot and stick approach to management is ineffective—employees are much more motivated to do a better job when they are recognized for their hard work.

A calm and thoughtful method for dealing with a problem. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. When dealing with unmotivated teens, the softly, softly approach doesn't always work—sometimes you have to do something to get their attention. Many parents use the softly, softly approach when trying to calm their toddlers' tantrums.

To ask someone something, often in a cautious way. When is the best time to approach the boss about taking a leave of absence? I can't propose yet, I still have to approach Julie's dad about it. Have the producers approached you about taking the role yet?

to ask someone about someone or something, usually with tact and caution. Wally has been acting strangely. I will approach Judy about him. She approached Tom about the broken window.

a gradual way of solving a problem that shows patience and does not involve immediate action or force The recent unrest in the capital suggests that the government's softly, softly approach to reform is not working.

Reward and punishment used as persuasive measures, as in Management dangled the carrot of a possible raise before strikers, but at the same time waved the stick of losing their pension benefits . This term alludes to enticing a horse or donkey to move by dangling a carrot before it and, either alternately or at the same time, urging it forward by beating it with a stick. [Late 1800s]