Many people working in large companies speak business-buzzwords as a second language. Business language is full of pretty meaningless words. I Don’t Understand What Anyone Is Saying Anymore article tells that the language of internet business models has made the problem even worse. There are several strains of this epidemic: We have forgotten how to use the real names of real things, acronymitis, and Meaningless Expressions (like “Our goal is to exceed the customer’s expectation”). This would all be funny if it weren’t true. Observe it, deconstruct it, and appreciate just how ridiculous most business conversation has become.
Check out this brilliant Web Economy Bullshit Generator page. It generates random bullshit text based on the often used words in business language. And most of the material it generates look something you would expect from IT executives and their speechwriters (those are randomly generated with Web Economy Bullshit Generator):
“scale viral web services”
“integrate holistic mindshare”
“transform back-end solutions”
“incentivize revolutionary portals”
“synergize out-of-the-box platforms”
“enhance world-class schemas”
“aggregate revolutionary paradigms”
“enable cross-media relationships”
How to talk like a CIO article tries to tell how do CIOs talk, and what do they talk about, and why they do it like they do it. It sometimes makes sense to analyze the speaking and comportment styles of the people who’ve already climbed the corporate ladder if you want to do the same.
The Most Annoying, Pretentious And Useless Business Jargon article tells that the stupid business talk is longer solely the province of consultants, investors and business-school types, this annoying gobbledygook has mesmerized the rank and file around the globe. The next time you feel the need to reach out, touch base, shift a paradigm, leverage a best practice or join a tiger team, by all means do it. Just don’t say you’re doing it. If you have to ask why, chances are you’ve fallen under the poisonous spell of business jargon. Jargon masks real meaning. The Most Annoying, Pretentious And Useless Business Jargon article has a cache of expressions to assiduously avoid (if you look out you will see those used way too many times in business documents and press releases).
Is Innovation the Most Abused Word In Business? article tells that most of what is called innovation today is mere distraction, according to a paper by economist Robert Gordon. Innovation is the most abused word in tech. The iPad is about as innovative as the toaster. You can still read books without an iPad, and you can still toast bread without a toaster. True innovation radically alters the way we interact with the world. But in tech, every little thing is called “innovative.” If you were to believe business grads then “innovation” includes their “ideas” along the lines of “a website like *only better*” or “that thing which everyone is already doing but which I think is my neat new idea” Whether or not the word “innovation” has become the most abused word in the business context, that remains to be seen. “Innovation” itself has already been abused by the patent trolls.
Using stories to catch ‘smart-talk’ article tells that smart-talk is information without understanding, theory without practice – ‘all mouth and no trousers’, as the old aphorism puts it. It’s all too common amongst would-be ‘experts’ – and likewise amongst ‘rising stars’ in management and elsewhere. He looks the part; he knows all the right buzzwords; he can quote chapter-and-verse from all the best-known pundits and practitioners. But is it all just empty ‘smart-talk’? Even if unintentional on their part, people who indulge in smart-talk can be genuinely dangerous. They’ll seem plausible enough at first, but in reality they’ll often know just enough to get everyone into real trouble, but not enough to get out of it again. Smart-talk is the bane of most business – and probably of most communities too. So what can we do to catch it?
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Tomi Engdahl says:
Hack Your Morning: 7 Ways To Get The Day Off To A Great Start
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathryndill/2016/09/08/hack-your-morning-7-ways-to-get-the-day-off-to-a-great-start/
Tomi Engdahl says:
High achievers across all industries, from business to sports, know about the power of positive thinking.
Why You’re Not Living Your Best Life — And The Simple Shift That Holds The Solution
http://on.forbes.com/6182E4pVm
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ten Habits Of Incredibly Happy People
https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2017/02/14/ten-habits-of-incredibly-happy-people/?utm_source=FACEBOOK&utm_medium=social&utm_term=Malorie/#6b5ae41011ba
Tomi Engdahl says:
These American bachelor degrees really pay off. http://on.forbes.com/6184ENvhp
Tomi Engdahl says:
Five Signs You Work For A Weak Manager
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/03/01/five-signs-you-work-for-a-weak-manager/?utm_source=FACEBOOK&utm_medium=social&utm_term=Malorie/#6f2984e76bc4
strong managers are strong enough to lead through trust, whereas weak managers have to use the force of their job titles to make people listen to them.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Those who succeed in business, politics, sports and even science are winners because they know how to turn themselves into a brand.
Self-Marketing Geniuses: The Wisdom Of Albert Einstein And Stephen Hawking
http://on.forbes.com/6183E42u3
Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking were both brilliant physicists, and they were also self-marketing geniuses. In today’s world, via the media and internet, people are bombarded with more information than ever before. No matter the field, anyone who wants to be successful needs to draw attention to themselves—to build a personal brand. It’s not enough to be great at something and simply hope that people will hear about it. It takes hard work.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Many stagnated industries are struggling with the need to digitize their services to both do business more effectively and to serve their customers better.
How can software startups help these companies?
Tomi Engdahl says:
Self-made millionaire: 6 biggest money lies young people need to stop telling themselves
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/23/self-made-millionaire-6-biggest-lies-we-tell-ourselves-about-money.html?__source=facebook%7Cmain
People have lots of reasons for not managing their money properly. A few of those reasons are valid, but most are just poorly veiled excuses for being lazy and not wanting to spend 10 minutes on research.
Tomi Engdahl says:
What To Do When You Sense Danger In Your Career
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucekasanoff/2017/03/07/what-to-do-when-you-sense-danger-in-your-career/?utm_source=FACEBOOK&utm_medium=social&utm_term=Malorie/#44d246034a61
Things are going well in your career: your boss is happy, your compensation was up last year, and you very much enjoy your job. But you can’t shake the feeling that something bad is about to happen.
Now the trick is to decide: is this anxiety or something real?
There are many reasons why people feel anxious about success, from “I don’t deserve this” to “I’m a fake” to “This is too good to be true” to simply feeling pessimistic.
It’s important not to sabotage your own success and give into such false warning signs. So use your intelligence and pay attention; see if you can spot any substance behind them. If not, let them go. I find that about 90% of my own warning signs are false.
Tomi Engdahl says:
The man who destroyed his multimillion dollar company in 10 seconds
https://www.businessblogshub.com/2012/09/the-man-who-destroyed-his-multi-million-dollar-company-in-10-seconds/
Yes life was good until the fateful day when he was guest speaker at the Institute of Directors on April 23, 1991 attended by over 6000 business people and journalists.
Have you ever heard of the “Ratner effect”?
Well by the end of this post you will know what it means.
For reasons only known to himself Ratner decided to undo not only his entire life but his empire in less than 10 seconds.
“How can you sell this for such a low price?”, I say, “because it’s total crap.”
the company’s shares dropped £500 million in a matter of days
Gerald lost his playboy lifestyle as well as his job, and the company had to do a Phoenix and rename themselves ‘Signet Group’.
Some people say that any press is good press, but on this occasion, the negative media was certainly not suitable for anyone, so why did he do it? I doubt he intended to do it.
A billion dollar speech that sunk a significant company. You may occasionally hear the term: “Doing a Ratner” which essentially is short for: really screwing up.
Today, Ratner gives talks on how to deal with adversity and how to just keep going. Making a mistake is not the end of the road unless you want it to be, all you have to do is get up and try again. Ratner is not the only famous person who’s made a gaffe while representing a brand.
Tomi Engdahl says:
From the archive, 22 August 1992: Gerald Ratner’s ‘crap’ comment haunts jewellery chain
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/aug/22/gerald-ratner-jewellery-total-crap-1992-archive
Chairman’s attack on one of his own products hastens company’s decline with 330 shops targeted for closure
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://insinoori-lehti.fi/tasta-on-kysymys/ensimmaisessa-luokassa-helvettiin/
Taloudessa on paljon kysymys myös psykologiasta. Ihmiset alkavat uskoa kehityksen kulkevan johonkin suuntaan ja toimivat sitten sen mukaisesti. Siksi pörssit reagoivat niinkin irrationaaliseen asiaan kuin vaikkapa Trumpin twiitteihin.
Tomi Engdahl says:
13 Habits of Exceptionally Likeable People
https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2015/01/27/13-habits-of-exceptionally-likeable-people/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why We All Need To Work Two Jobs
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucekasanoff/2017/03/24/why-we-all-need-to-work-two-jobs/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ten Things A Good Manager Won’t Ask Employees To Do
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/07/02/ten-things-a-good-manager-wont-ask-employees-to-do/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why The 8-Hour Workday Doesn’t Work
https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2016/06/07/why-the-8-hour-workday-doesnt-work/
Tomi Engdahl says:
6 Stupid Things Managers Do To Kill Morale
https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2016/11/30/6-stupid-things-managers-do-to-kill-morale/
Tomi Engdahl says:
4 Tools For Lowering Anxiety In Any Situation So You Can Perform Better
https://www.forbes.com/sites/meganbruneau/2016/08/31/4-strategies-for-lowering-anxiety-in-any-situation-and-performing-like-a-boss/
Tomi Engdahl says:
8 Things Science Says We Can Do To Become A Little Happier
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2016/06/28/8-things-science-says-we-can-do-to-become-a-little-happier/?utm_source=FACEBOOK&utm_medium=social&utm_term=Malorie/#7ca6b2b91ab3
Tomi Engdahl says:
Signing Bonuses, Flex Time And More: 5 Work Perks You Should Negotiate In Your Next Job Offer
https://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2017/01/31/signing-bonuses-flex-time-and-more-5-work-perks-you-should-negotiate-in-your-next-job-offer/?utm_source=FACEBOOK&utm_medium=social&utm_term=Malorie/#10574737657c
Tomi Engdahl says:
More than a quarter of men ‘avoid one-on-one meetings with female co-workers’ following #MeToo movement
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/metoo-movement-men-women-coworkers-colleagues-meetings-a9084846.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1567165322
‘The idea that men don’t know their behaviour is bad and that women are making a mountain out of a molehill is largely untrue’
Tomi Engdahl says:
11 Things Smart People Won’t Say At Work
https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2015/09/02/11-things-smart-people-wont-say/?utm_source=FACEBOOK&utm_medium=social&utm_term=Malorie/#3a9a2be76c70
Tomi Engdahl says:
Everyday Habits Of Master Negotiators That’ll Make You A Successful Negotiator, Too
https://www.forbes.com/sites/averyblank/2017/05/23/everyday-habits-of-master-negotiators-thatll-make-you-a-successful-negotiator-too/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2016/11/19/how-to-escape-the-procrastination-doom-loop/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why Work Relationships Affect Our Mental And Physical Health
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2016/10/13/why-work-relationships-affect-our-mental-and-physical-health-so-strongly/
If you feel closely connected to your work cronies, you’re likely the healthier for it—and this applies to both physical and mental health.
Tomi Engdahl says:
7 Habits Of Successful Under 30s
https://www.forbes.com/sites/under30network/2015/11/18/7-habits-of-successful-under-30s/
Tomi Engdahl says:
8 Things Science Says We Can Do To Become A Little Happier
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2016/06/28/8-things-science-says-we-can-do-to-become-a-little-happier/
Tomi Engdahl says:
What To Do With A Millennial Employee That’s Bored At Work
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kaytiezimmerman/2016/11/13/what-to-do-with-a-millennial-employee-that-is-bored-at-work/
Tomi Engdahl says:
8 Powerful Ways To Conquer Stress
https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2016/09/29/8-powerful-ways-to-conquer-stress/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Three Ways Aging Biases Your Post-50 Brain
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sallyblount/2019/08/21/three-ways-aging-biases-your-post-50-brain/
Tomi Engdahl says:
3 Ways Smart People Sabotage Themselves When They’re Unhappy At Work
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2017/01/24/3-ways-smart-people-sabotage-themselves-when-theyre-unhappy-at-work/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://towardsdatascience.com/what-are-the-happiest-jobs-in-tech-4c4d33e065f0
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2016/10/25/12-reasons-youre-not-as-happy-as-you-should-be/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Apua, puhelias ihminen lähestyy! Erityisherkkä Petra Tanninen piirsi vaikeat tilanteet sarjakuviksi
https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-10921448
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_tactics
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobmorgan/2016/04/26/five-signs-youre-working-for-a-truly-great-manager/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2016/01/20/15-surprising-things-productive-people-do-differently/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2016/04/20/4-resume-fixes-thatll-make-you-way-more-popular-with-recruiters/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2017/02/27/12-unusual-things-thought-leaders-do-to-build-their-brand/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/averyblank/2018/06/26/4-steps-successful-people-take-to-overcome-fear-of-failure/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/briannawiest/2018/02/26/13-difficult-things-highly-successful-people-learn-to-do-young/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Avoiding burnout: 4 considerations for a more energetic organization
https://opensource.com/open-organization/19/8/energy-fatigue-burnout
Being open requires a certain kind of energy—and if you don’t take time to replenish that energy, your organization will suffer.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://blog.netprofile.fi/3-hyodyllista-tyokalua-joihin-ihastuin-growth-hacking-kurssilla
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://rakettitiede.com/blogi/quis-custodiet-ipsos-custodes-eli-kuinka-konsultti-perehdytetaan?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=Julkaisu%3A+%22Miten+konsultti+%28p%29erehdytet%C3%A4%C3%A4n%3F+%22&hsa_acc=50124020&hsa_grp=6138949834687&hsa_net=facebook&hsa_cam=6138949833687&hsa_src=fb&hsa_ad=6138949835287&hsa_ver=3
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2017/06/28/ten-things-never-ever-to-reveal-when-youre-job-hunting/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonyoushaei/2014/08/27/resumes/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/briannawiest/2018/05/21/the-one-uncomfortable-feeling-you-must-experience-in-order-to-be-successful/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/averyblank/2016/10/12/what-leaders-never-do-in-networking-intros-and-you-shouldnt-either/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Management
Written“A Blinding Flash of the Obvious”
Tom Peters reflects on a half-century spent studying management.
https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/blinding-flash-obvious