Idea Showers - Usually called Brainstorming. A method of problem solving involving members of a group meeting and sharing ideas.

Identity Theft - A crime in which someone obtains another person's personal information, such as passport, credit card details, etc., and poses as that person in order to steal money, get benefits, make purchases, etc.

Idle Time - The time that a piece of equipment or a machine, such a as computer, is available, but is not being used.

Impeach - To charge somebody, usually a government official, with serious misconduct. To cast somebody out of public office, for example a president or courtroom judge because of a serious crime or misdemeanor.

Imperfect Market - A market in which buyers do not have access to enough information about prices and products, and where buyers or sellers can have an influence over the quantity and price of goods sold.

Import Duty - A tax charged on certain goods which are brought into a country.

Impound - To seize and hold property, funds, etc., in custody (typically by a state-empowered authority), often during legal dispute.

Incapacity Benefit - A state benefit in the UK which is paid to people below pensionable age who have made National Insurance contributions, and who are too ill or disabled to work.

Incentive Marketing - The offering of rewards or gifts to sales people as an incentive to get more orders from dealers or customers. To offer customers rewards for buying products or services.

Income Fund - An investment fund with high returns which pays the owners a regular income.

Income Tax - A tax paid by individuals to the government, the amount of which is dependent on how much a person earns from their salary and/or other sources of income.

Incubator - An organisation or company which provides support to new businesses to help them develop and grow.

Indemnify - To insure and offer financial protection against loss, damage or liability.

Independent Financial Advisor - (IFA) Someone who works independently, i.e., not for a particular company, and offers people advice about financial matters and recommends where to invest their money.

Index-Linked - Concerning salaries, pensions, investments, etc. If they are Index-Linked it means that the payments or income from these may vary according to the rate of inflation.

Indict - To formally charge someone with a crime.

Indirect Materials - In accounting, products or services, such as electricity, cleaning materials, chemicals, etc., which are used in the production of goods but are not part of the end product.

Induction - The introduction and training of a member of staff in a new job or position in a company.

Industrial Action - Also called a strike in the UK. Known in the US as Job Action. A protest by employees during which they refuse to work, usually because they want better wages and/or better working conditions.

Industrialist - A person who owns or runs a large industrial enterprise. They are often referred to as a Business Magnate.

Industrial Relations - Relations between the management and the workers, especially those in unions, in industry.

Industrial Tribunal - An independent judicial body which deals with disputes between employers and employees.

Inflation - Normally referring to the economy of a country, inflation is the gradual increase in the price of goods and/or services, and the consequential devaluing of the national currency. Inflation is typically up to 10%, or more unusually approaching 20% per year. Minimising inflation is normally a high priority within national fiscal policy since higher levels of inflation cause a variety of economic and business problems. See also deflation and hyperinflation.

Inflection Point - In business, when important significant changes take place in an organisation. (Andrew S. Grove - Intel)

Infomediary - An agent who works on behalf of a business, collecting information on, and developing profiles of, individual customers.

Infomercial - Information Commercial. A long television commercial presented in the form of a documentary or TV program. This format is used so that it does not appear to be selling a product or service.

Information Superhighway - Communications network, notably the Internet, which provides high speed access to information in the form of sound, text, images, etc.

Inheritance Tax - Also called Death Duty in the UK. Known as Death Tax in the US. A tax imposed by the government which much be paid on the total value of the estate of a deceased person.

Injunction - An official court order which demands that someone must refrain from carrying out certain actions.

Innovation - The introduction of new ideas, goods, etc., or new methods of production. A new way of doing something.

Inorganic - A term used to describe the growth of a business from mergers or takeovers, rather than from the increase in productivity or activity of the company's own business.

Inside Information - Information about a company which is known only by the owners, management and/or employees, and not the general public. The use of Inside Information for the buying and selling of shares is usually illegal.

Inside Track - An advantageous position in a company or organisation. To know about something before others get to hear about it.

Insolvency - Not having enough finances or assets available to pay all your debts.

Instant Access Account - A bank or building society account which allows you have instant access to your money without any penalties.

Insurance Adjuster - Also known as a Claims Adjuster. An independent person who investigates insurance claims for an insurance company and evaluates the damage caused and decides whether the claims are valid, and if they are, how much should be paid in settlement to the insured party.

Intangible Asset - A company's assets which do not physically exist, such as brand name, trademarks, copyrights, etc.

Intellectual Capital - The skills and knowledge of a company's employees, which can be used to make the company more successful than its competitors.

Intellectual Property - Commonly abbreviated to IP, an idea or creation, e.g., artwork, writing, etc., that belongs to an individual or organisation, which has commercial value and therefore cannot be copied or sold without the owner's permission.

Inter Alia - Latin for 'among other things' - a traditional term which typically precedes a list of examples, and is found in official or formal text or various sorts. Inter alios means 'among other people', but is much less used.

Interest Rate - A fee which is charged for borrowing money, e.g., a loan from a bank or financial institution, lease arrangement, goods bought through hire purchase, etc.

Intermediary - A mediator or agent who negotiates between two parties who are unable or unwilling to reach an agreement by themselves.

Internal Equity  - In a company or organisation, ensures the pay each employee receives is determined fairly by the type of job they do.

International Monetary Fund - IMF. Established in 1944 by the United Nations to monitor foreign exchange systems and encourage trade between member nations. It also lends money to developing countries with economic problems.

International Organisation For Standardization - ISO. A non-government organisation with over 150 member nations, which promotes international standards in trade, technology, science, economy, etc.

Internesia - Relating to the Internet. Being unable to locate a particular website which you found interesting or on which you saw a useful piece of information.

Internet Cafe - Also called a Cybercafe. A public place where people can use a computer, usually for a fee, to check e-mail, access the Internet, etc. These places often sell drink and food, like a regular cafe.

Interventionism - The policy of a government to intervene and manipulate a country's (often its own) affairs and/or economy.

Intervention Price - A guaranteed minimum price set by a government for a product, usually farm produce. If the price falls below this then the government, or agency, will buy the produce at the Intervention Price.

Intestate - Without leaving a will, as used in the phrase, 'to die intestate'.

Intrapreneur - A person employed by a large company to work independently to develop new projects and business within the company.

Intrinsic Value - The actual or real value of a business, commodity, asset, etc., rather than the market value or share price.

Invention - A new device, process, product, etc., which has been created and developed by an individual or a group.

Investment - Money or capital that is invested in a business or in an account with a financial institution in order to make a profit or earn interest.

Investment Boutique - A small company which offers specialist advice about investments and business.

Invisibles - 'Invisible' services of a country, such as banking, tourism, insurance, etc, of which the buying and selling are from international trade.

Involuntary Liquidation - When a company is forced into bankruptcy by its creditors, so that its debts can be paid.

Island Position - An advertisement or commercial which is surrounded by text, or placed between TV programs, with no other advertisements, so it has no competition.

Issue Price - On the Stock Exchange, the price at which a new share, stock, etc., is offered to the public.

Information Technology - Also known as IT. The study and use of computers and communications systems.