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Wankernomics: A Deep-Dive Into Workplace Bullsh*ttery
** THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER **
** A paradigm-shifting guide to getting ahead at work - at pace, moving forward **
READERS LOVE WANKERNOMICS:
'Laugh out loud funny.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
'I'll be buying more copies for friends and family at Christmas.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
'Brilliant! This book is hilarious for anyone in the corporate world of nonsense.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
'I am now better positioned to deliver scalable, low-noise, high-impact verbal outputs - at pace.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
THE HILARIOUS, MUST-HAVE HANDBOOK FOR ANYONE WHO HAS HAD TO ENDURE THE BULLSH*T OF THE MODERN WORKING WORLD.
Are you a total failure at work? Do you struggle with simple tasks like using the phrase "moving forward" in every email? Have you never used the word "synergies" in a LinkedIn post? You need W*nkernomics.
Picture the scene. You're sitting in a meeting at work. Your colleagues are deep in serious discussion. Terry says he wants an end-to-end, digital-first solution by COB Friday. Fiona says she'll have to take that offline and circle back later. And then quite suddenly, you catch yourself thinking, 'hang on... what the f*ck are they talking about?' Like, seriously, what do those words even mean?
W*nkernomics is for anyone who has ever been told to reach out, touch base, drill down, or optimise their ducks on the same songsheet. Learn how
* Navigate endless meetings
* Master passive aggressive emails
* Outmanoeuvre your colleagues with nothing more than an obnoxious LinkedIn profile, a pack of Post-it Notes and the phrase 'circle back'.
W*nkernomics will help you navigate workplace hell like a boss.
** A paradigm-shifting guide to getting ahead at work - at pace, moving forward **
READERS LOVE WANKERNOMICS:
'Laugh out loud funny.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
'I'll be buying more copies for friends and family at Christmas.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
'Brilliant! This book is hilarious for anyone in the corporate world of nonsense.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
'I am now better positioned to deliver scalable, low-noise, high-impact verbal outputs - at pace.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
THE HILARIOUS, MUST-HAVE HANDBOOK FOR ANYONE WHO HAS HAD TO ENDURE THE BULLSH*T OF THE MODERN WORKING WORLD.
Are you a total failure at work? Do you struggle with simple tasks like using the phrase "moving forward" in every email? Have you never used the word "synergies" in a LinkedIn post? You need W*nkernomics.
Picture the scene. You're sitting in a meeting at work. Your colleagues are deep in serious discussion. Terry says he wants an end-to-end, digital-first solution by COB Friday. Fiona says she'll have to take that offline and circle back later. And then quite suddenly, you catch yourself thinking, 'hang on... what the f*ck are they talking about?' Like, seriously, what do those words even mean?
W*nkernomics is for anyone who has ever been told to reach out, touch base, drill down, or optimise their ducks on the same songsheet. Learn how
* Navigate endless meetings
* Master passive aggressive emails
* Outmanoeuvre your colleagues with nothing more than an obnoxious LinkedIn profile, a pack of Post-it Notes and the phrase 'circle back'.
W*nkernomics will help you navigate workplace hell like a boss.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2025
139 people are currently reading
361 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
October 1, 2025
James Schloeffel and Charles Firth are two Australian comedy and satire writers.
I've loved their outcomes on various platforms, in different incarnations, over several years.
This book is right up my alley in so many ways. I abhor corporate jargon and all the wankery that's infiltrated the office world. I blame this on the Americans, on the corporations, and the white men in the world of consultants and hedge funds. Fortunately, the industry I'm currently operating in is mostly made up of women, and so they're less likely to use BS words like "circle back", "going forward", "end-to-end solution by COB today"; "core values", and so on.
The authors teach us how to acquire the wankery jargon, which is useful if one is keen to get a promotion in the white collar world.
They also take on the big corporate wankers' platform LinkedIn, in the funniest ways. I had no idea that there was such a thing as LinkedIn influencers. (Please don't take it personally if you're on it, if you work for the corporate overlords. I'm not on the platform; 15y+ later, I still hold grudges against LinkeIn due to the sheer amount of spam emails I used to get. )
This book was short and sweet and very Aussie (in a good way). I'll try to get tickets to their show next time they're in town.
I've loved their outcomes on various platforms, in different incarnations, over several years.
This book is right up my alley in so many ways. I abhor corporate jargon and all the wankery that's infiltrated the office world. I blame this on the Americans, on the corporations, and the white men in the world of consultants and hedge funds. Fortunately, the industry I'm currently operating in is mostly made up of women, and so they're less likely to use BS words like "circle back", "going forward", "end-to-end solution by COB today"; "core values", and so on.
The authors teach us how to acquire the wankery jargon, which is useful if one is keen to get a promotion in the white collar world.
They also take on the big corporate wankers' platform LinkedIn, in the funniest ways. I had no idea that there was such a thing as LinkedIn influencers. (Please don't take it personally if you're on it, if you work for the corporate overlords. I'm not on the platform; 15y+ later, I still hold grudges against LinkeIn due to the sheer amount of spam emails I used to get. )
This book was short and sweet and very Aussie (in a good way). I'll try to get tickets to their show next time they're in town.
October 22, 2025
Everyone who works a corporate job needs to read this book. I’m embarrassed at how many times I chuckled out loud to myself while reading this
October 18, 2025
particularly enjoyed the linkedin section
October 12, 2025
If you’ve ever wondered what some of the workplace speak actually means, or you just want see how much useless jargon you can fit into a sentence, Wankernomics is the book for you. It’s hilarious, and sometimes just that too close to reality that it’s awkward. Think of it as the TV show Utopia in book format.
The book is written from the perspective of Australian workplaces, but I suspect that it will be applicable to anywhere – once you understand the title (as the authors say, if you’re American – think about it as ‘jerkonomics’). It covers all aspects of corporate life from decoding email (the part about the meaningless opening phrase and sign off is all too true) to LinkedIn and the meeting cycle. There are sections on vision statements, mission statements, brand stories and the why. It is all far too true amongst the laughter! (I did Google ‘the customer is at the heart of everything we do’ and yes, it does come up on many organisations in Australia, from real estate agents to shopping centres, optometrists to liquor stores and even giant corporate organisations. It seems that no business is immune from it, especially when they add phrases like ‘customer journeys’ and ‘touchpoints’). The only thing missing from Wankernomics is an option to play bingo with these phrases during an endless Town Hall meeting!
The authors have a great eye for detail in being able to see exactly how ridiculous some of these terms and procedures in the workplace really are. Who hasn’t experienced the endless recurring meeting invite that nobody can cancel because the organiser is on long term leave? Or the opening line of an email, ‘I hope this finds you well’. Or the term, ‘circle back’ and having no idea what it is referring to? The part on pointless acronyms was spot on too.
I think this book is best read a chapter at a time, just so you don’t end up in a spiral about how your 9 to 5 is full of this (except for the chapter on HR). It’s a clever and witty read that is all too true. Read it by COB, build a deck and then discuss it at stand up tomorrow morning. (Just make sure you’re not on mute).
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
The book is written from the perspective of Australian workplaces, but I suspect that it will be applicable to anywhere – once you understand the title (as the authors say, if you’re American – think about it as ‘jerkonomics’). It covers all aspects of corporate life from decoding email (the part about the meaningless opening phrase and sign off is all too true) to LinkedIn and the meeting cycle. There are sections on vision statements, mission statements, brand stories and the why. It is all far too true amongst the laughter! (I did Google ‘the customer is at the heart of everything we do’ and yes, it does come up on many organisations in Australia, from real estate agents to shopping centres, optometrists to liquor stores and even giant corporate organisations. It seems that no business is immune from it, especially when they add phrases like ‘customer journeys’ and ‘touchpoints’). The only thing missing from Wankernomics is an option to play bingo with these phrases during an endless Town Hall meeting!
The authors have a great eye for detail in being able to see exactly how ridiculous some of these terms and procedures in the workplace really are. Who hasn’t experienced the endless recurring meeting invite that nobody can cancel because the organiser is on long term leave? Or the opening line of an email, ‘I hope this finds you well’. Or the term, ‘circle back’ and having no idea what it is referring to? The part on pointless acronyms was spot on too.
I think this book is best read a chapter at a time, just so you don’t end up in a spiral about how your 9 to 5 is full of this (except for the chapter on HR). It’s a clever and witty read that is all too true. Read it by COB, build a deck and then discuss it at stand up tomorrow morning. (Just make sure you’re not on mute).
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
February 12, 2026
Very funny and oh-so relatable. Only lost one star because the examples given went on a bit. My second hand embarrassment should rest on my own shoulders, yet here I am.
February 17, 2026
Short, brutal, hilarious. By laughing at this book, I was laughing at myself. I, like many people I know, have swallowed the corporate dictionary and use it without thinking.
This is a parody self help book to help you go far in the modern world of work.
So many great moments, but the section about LinkedIn was my absolute favourite. I listened as an audio book - the authors have comic delivery.
A word of warning though... I am now having an existential crisis about my job and no longer know how to write/speak....
This is a parody self help book to help you go far in the modern world of work.
So many great moments, but the section about LinkedIn was my absolute favourite. I listened as an audio book - the authors have comic delivery.
A word of warning though... I am now having an existential crisis about my job and no longer know how to write/speak....
February 24, 2026
Sharp, funny, and uncomfortably accurate. Most of the examples are things we’ve all either done or watched unfold in real time.
Chapter 6 on HR was the standout for me — painfully spot‑on.
And seeing them live recently was the perfect bonus. The “work meeting” bit genuinely hit me.
A brilliant, relatable read for anyone who’s survived corporate nonsense.
Chapter 6 on HR was the standout for me — painfully spot‑on.
And seeing them live recently was the perfect bonus. The “work meeting” bit genuinely hit me.
A brilliant, relatable read for anyone who’s survived corporate nonsense.
August 31, 2025
The most painfully accurate book - every page feels like a mirror held up to the absurdities of corporate life and its pointless jargon. Brilliant observations by the 2 creators of W*nkernomics ✨
December 31, 2025
Recommend to anyone who has worked in an office and been annoyed by corporate lingo. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll groan. These guys get it.
February 23, 2026
Relatable.
August 8, 2025
Superbly leveraged deep-dive into corporate synergies and blue sky thinking. I’ll socialise this book around my key stakeholders and then talk to a deck, creating value-driven,cascaded ideations.
August 18, 2025
Delighted to announce that I’ve just finished reading this brilliant new book that outlines the best-practice strategies for achieving success in an ever-changing working world. Satire = 🤌
September 25, 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Criminally hilarious ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Will make you whinny like a horse ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Read this in public at your own risk ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Accurate and life-changing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I hadn't heard of "Wankeronomics" before and didn't know what I was getting myself into, but thought the concept sounded funny. I am glad I kept an open mind, though.
(On that note: I wasn't really sure whether it would be apt to categorise the book as "Self-Help", but this will do wonders for the crippled corporate soul that is just longing for clear, direct communication)
What I loved most was the serious, faux-professional underlying tone of the entire book that is divided into "Units", as if you're actually attending a school for business speak, with its contents so painfully accurate.
My favourite parts were:
‣ the company slogans/motto creator, I couldn't stop myself from laughing far too hard at how nonsensical yet spot on that analysis was
‣ the "translating classic movies into corporate speech" part that I wish had been longer
‣ the farçe and one-upmanship of LinkedIn
‣ applying corporate language in your daily life (how to diaper-change in corporate left me in tears)
Many legendary sentences were uttered, but "could you please action the dog poop" is probably my favourite.
Some books find it difficult to balance the fine line between being overly silly/childish and pure comedy excellence, but "W*nkernomics" had just the right amount of absurdity - paired with important political statements that weren't presented in a lecturing way but clever and witty (such as using stock images of women and people of colour on your website but only having white men in upper management or when you're a man: ignoring women and repeating their opinions as your own to take credit for their ideas)
I predict that this book will become a modern classic and I have the hope that it will change the (corporate) world - for the better. Even if it will put the consultants out of business (if you've read the book you'll know what I mean).
I hadn't heard of "Wankeronomics" before and didn't know what I was getting myself into, but thought the concept sounded funny. I am glad I kept an open mind, though.
(On that note: I wasn't really sure whether it would be apt to categorise the book as "Self-Help", but this will do wonders for the crippled corporate soul that is just longing for clear, direct communication)
What I loved most was the serious, faux-professional underlying tone of the entire book that is divided into "Units", as if you're actually attending a school for business speak, with its contents so painfully accurate.
My favourite parts were:
‣ the company slogans/motto creator, I couldn't stop myself from laughing far too hard at how nonsensical yet spot on that analysis was
‣ the "translating classic movies into corporate speech" part that I wish had been longer
‣ the farçe and one-upmanship of LinkedIn
‣ applying corporate language in your daily life (how to diaper-change in corporate left me in tears)
Many legendary sentences were uttered, but "could you please action the dog poop" is probably my favourite.
Some books find it difficult to balance the fine line between being overly silly/childish and pure comedy excellence, but "W*nkernomics" had just the right amount of absurdity - paired with important political statements that weren't presented in a lecturing way but clever and witty (such as using stock images of women and people of colour on your website but only having white men in upper management or when you're a man: ignoring women and repeating their opinions as your own to take credit for their ideas)
I predict that this book will become a modern classic and I have the hope that it will change the (corporate) world - for the better. Even if it will put the consultants out of business (if you've read the book you'll know what I mean).
December 18, 2025
This book presents a strategically significant, outcomes-focused artefact that supports alignment, consistency and effective cascade. It is well-positioned to enable shared understanding and provides a coherent framework through which key themes can be socialised across a broad audience.
The content is structured in a way that encourages alignment of thinking while remaining sufficiently flexible to be applied in multiple contexts. It successfully balances insight with accessibility, creating a narrative that feels both relevant and actionable without being prescriptive.
From an outcomes perspective, the book functions as an enabling asset, helping to reinforce consistent messaging and support a common direction of travel. There is clear value in how the ideas are articulated and packaged, making it suitable for wider dissemination and ongoing reference.
Overall, this is a robust and timely contribution that would benefit from being cascaded and socialised to maximise impact and drive alignment against intended outcomes.
Five stars, obviously.
The content is structured in a way that encourages alignment of thinking while remaining sufficiently flexible to be applied in multiple contexts. It successfully balances insight with accessibility, creating a narrative that feels both relevant and actionable without being prescriptive.
From an outcomes perspective, the book functions as an enabling asset, helping to reinforce consistent messaging and support a common direction of travel. There is clear value in how the ideas are articulated and packaged, making it suitable for wider dissemination and ongoing reference.
Overall, this is a robust and timely contribution that would benefit from being cascaded and socialised to maximise impact and drive alignment against intended outcomes.
Five stars, obviously.
January 30, 2026
Honestly, if you work for a large organisation, read this book. You'll find it hilarious, truthful, and it'll focus your mind into the true nature of the conversations you have regularly about mission statements, outcomes, inputs and the annoying acronyms you encounter daily. Things like, let's huddle, put a pin in it, circle back, re-up, outyears and such like. I've seen rose, bud and thorn diagrams and other bizarre things. Could we just call them their real names, success, opportunities and threats, please? As someone increasingly frustrated by the corporatisation and lack of meaning in the things that I encounter daily, this book made me roar with laughter, nod my head, and know that the things that I suspect about the dumb things people write in the communications I receive are, in fact, utter gibberish and that say absolutely nothing, but use a lot of words.
This book, and these guys, are funny, frightening and hilarious, and I will go and see them in concert when they are in my neck of the woods. (Probably need an acronym for that IMMW.)
This book, and these guys, are funny, frightening and hilarious, and I will go and see them in concert when they are in my neck of the woods. (Probably need an acronym for that IMMW.)
February 26, 2026
“‘Let’s maintain BAU processes’ sounds more impressive than ‘Let’s maintain business-as-usual processes’, which itself sounds more impressive than ‘There is literally no need for me to say this sentence.’”
“Because bullshit is so cheap to make, companies kept producing more and more of it, until, for many corporations, it became their primary product.”
I read this book at a fitting time in my life having recently resigned from my previous corporate role and currently being self-employed. Suffice to say it has not motivated me to apply for more similar roles but rather served as a timely reminder to consider what I actually want to devote the years I am fortunate to live doing.
“Because bullshit is so cheap to make, companies kept producing more and more of it, until, for many corporations, it became their primary product.”
I read this book at a fitting time in my life having recently resigned from my previous corporate role and currently being self-employed. Suffice to say it has not motivated me to apply for more similar roles but rather served as a timely reminder to consider what I actually want to devote the years I am fortunate to live doing.
February 19, 2026
If you've ever worked in a large corporation, or wanted to, this is a must read. Doesn't matter if it's industry, or government, or tech, or marketing - you'll find this book absolutely hilarious! This book will enable you to speak confidently, survive others speaking confidently, and - if you practice it properly - be on the fast-track to either senior management or the door.
I have lived and breathed this type of organisations and communication style, and this book is the most joyous experience that came of it.
Highly, highly recommended if you work in an office and need a laugh.
I have lived and breathed this type of organisations and communication style, and this book is the most joyous experience that came of it.
Highly, highly recommended if you work in an office and need a laugh.
February 24, 2026
this is exactly why i work in startups - to avoid this kind of bullshit for as long as i possibly can.
i've always had a pretty good radar for corporate bullshit and not afraid to call people out on it. but seeing it all laid out in a book like this felt really validating. not just for surviving it, but for knowing i wasn't imagining things.
there are so many great lines in here, but my favourite has to be: "there's no 'I' in team, but there is a 'we' in 'I fucked your weekend'."
i've always had a pretty good radar for corporate bullshit and not afraid to call people out on it. but seeing it all laid out in a book like this felt really validating. not just for surviving it, but for knowing i wasn't imagining things.
there are so many great lines in here, but my favourite has to be: "there's no 'I' in team, but there is a 'we' in 'I fucked your weekend'."
November 4, 2025
A brilliant look at the workplace
I've never laughed so hard . It was if I was reading about my organisation. As I looked at our goals strategies and mission statement I thought yes this is it. However I work in service improvement so am well on my way to becoming a wanker, assuming I survive the next team bonding icebreaker session
I've never laughed so hard . It was if I was reading about my organisation. As I looked at our goals strategies and mission statement I thought yes this is it. However I work in service improvement so am well on my way to becoming a wanker, assuming I survive the next team bonding icebreaker session
December 23, 2025
Brilliant! I laughed out loud so many times... This book is so spot on about all things corporate world. I've seen these guys live and it was hilarious. I just don't understand how all this bullsh*ttery started (from the consultant world) and people just sucked it up and go with it. I'm guilty of throwing a good "deep dive", "moving forward" and "circle back", but my favorite I've been using is "I'm going to echo that"... and secretly laugh at myself when I do because I can't believe I am saying it!!! But in order to survive today, you really need to be a BIG W*ANKER!!! This book should be used as your everyday go to reference guide.
Well done guys.. this is an absolute winner!
Well done guys.. this is an absolute winner!
December 20, 2025
a fun read that points out the absurdity of modern business speak.
I will be very excited to socialise this detailed workplace manual with the management team when I get into the office on Monday, and makes sure everyone carves out some time to study it and expand on their learning in a Workshop environment at our next off site.
I will be very excited to socialise this detailed workplace manual with the management team when I get into the office on Monday, and makes sure everyone carves out some time to study it and expand on their learning in a Workshop environment at our next off site.
January 7, 2026
I could identify with so much of this having just celebrated a major milestone of working for a large US company. It made me laugh especially the meeting unit which now that I have to set up a kickoff next week I'm wondering if I should follow the rules or be a little different to make it more interesting to my colleagues 😁
January 21, 2026
I received this book from a colleague for Christmas and it backfired spectacularly - I now have a bible of corporate wankerisms to pepper my emails with, to my delight and their horror. If you like to snort laugh and cringe on the regular when you read a book, this one is for you - the authors “knocked it out of the ball park.”
August 11, 2025
I mean, it's just spot on. I can picture the company I work for and my colleagues so clearly in these pages. It's hilarious, full of great tips, activities and ways to enjoy your meetings from now on!
August 18, 2025
Had to read this on a Monday morning to really make sure my synergies were in alignment for the week going forward.
I always go to the Shovel's Wankernomics shows in Melbourne, and it's great to have this on demand when I just need to laughcry at corporate BS :')
I always go to the Shovel's Wankernomics shows in Melbourne, and it's great to have this on demand when I just need to laughcry at corporate BS :')
abandoned
August 20, 2025I do find their little video clips amusing, but a full-on book was just too depressing even though it is fun mockery. Couldn’t make it through. Won’t rate it because I don’t think that’s fair to judge it on how little I read. :) Just happy to not be in that world anymore.
September 1, 2025
I can’t think of a better book to read on Labor Day. There were moments I actually laughed aloud. As Homer Simpson say, it’s funny because it’s true!
Thanks to Libro.fm for the ALC through its educator program. This was everything I needed today!
Thanks to Libro.fm for the ALC through its educator program. This was everything I needed today!
November 2, 2025
The world of work has changed drastically in the last decade - not only where and how but also the language. The title is perfect. The irreverant Australian humour is perfect. If ever there is a case to say what you mean this proves it. Perfect.
November 24, 2025
Delighted to announce that I've just finished reading a brilliant new book called Wankernomics that outlines the best-practice strategies for achieving success in an ever-changing working world. Buy it! #lifechanging #success #wankernomics
Read
December 18, 2025A good fun handbook that explains how to navigate the confusing world of big company corporate speak. I found myself laughing out loud at many of the examples. I don’t think there was one piece of contemporary corporate bullshit that I hadn’t experienced. A very good read indeed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews