Business charts & exhibits · Core

Table stakes

Also called: hygiene factors

ELI5

Things you need just to be considered.

Used in conversation

“Security is table stakes in this enterprise sale.”

Definition

Features or capabilities customers expect as a minimum rather than a source of differentiation.

Here “Table stakes” means: Features or capabilities customers expect as a minimum rather than a source of differentiation.

Pitch context

You will see “Table stakes” in business pitches, proposals, executive summaries and decision decks when the discussion reaches business charts & exhibits.

Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret business charts & exhibits without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.

Sources & evidence · 3

Supporting source families. This entry is an editorial synthesis rather than a quotation from one canonical glossary.