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@Oliver Schick
Where do you start? It is an interesting example of an inelegant Latinate word that has been pressed into applications in English where there are manifest problems with its usage.
'To orient' is confusing, as literally it seems to mean something like 'to align with/towards the orient'.
'To orientate' is a better word-formation, as the ending is more in keeping with the intended meaning of the word. However, many people don't like the additional syllable for phonetic reasons and want to leave it out.
Both versions seem to have acquired a place in obtuse management speak.
I use 'orientate' occasionally, too, but it's better style to limit its usage to cases where it's unavoidable (which I'd imagine wouldn't be many). Dammit's suggestion of re-phrasing is spot-on.
I have a feeling that because 'orienteering' works well in English, with a rather limited meaning, that 'orientate' was formed to echo it, but I have no idea which came first. It may well have been the other way around.