Business talk

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?

2,693 Comments

  1. Tomi Engdahl says:

    How to Lie Your Way to $34 Billion [Nikola Motors Fraud]
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88fWUZhYb04

    Trevor Milton took the phrase “fake it till you make it” to the extreme. Let’s take a look at the wild story of Nikola Motors. I’ve been sitting on this script idea for a year, so here it finally is.

    Reply
  2. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Why The Rise of No-Code Matters to Entrepreneurs
    No-Code allows your business to evolve
    https://medium.com/swlh/why-the-rise-of-no-code-matters-to-entrepreneurs-a407073ca537

    My point is. Progress comes down to making people’s lives easier.
    And as CEO to my company Jotform for the past 15 years, that’s what I’m all about. We’ve spent well over a decade designing no-code products because we want to be on the side of history that gives people more opportunity; that gives them more of that valuable commodity we all seek.
    Why The Rise of No-Code Matters to Entrepreneurs

    Even as it’s been around for years, no-code is making its way into the mainstream and what that means for business leaders is that it’s the perfect chance to start moving away from complicated systems. Today, no-code products like Webflow, Zapier, and Sheet2Site are making it easier than ever before for teams to feel empowered to build things on the internet.
    In my time at Jotform, I’ve personally seen how designing no-code products have improved the lives of our customers. But I’ve also been witness to a radical shift in the way we work as well. There’s no doubt in my mind that we’ve been shaped and defined by these streamlined processes.

    Reply
  3. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Tiimien yleisimmät haasteet etäaikana ja kuinka ratkaista ne
    https://oppaat.fraktio.fi/tiimien-haasteet

    Reply
  4. Tomi Engdahl says:

    How the Rule of Acquired Taste Can Help You Build Better Habits, a Better Business, and a Better LifeThe rule is based on principles of psychology and emotional intelligence–and it can completely change your perspective.
    https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/psychology-how-to-build-better-habits-how-to-build-a-great-business-how-to-build-a-better-life-robert-zajonc-emotional-intelligence.html

    Reply
  5. Tomi Engdahl says:

    https://tyopaikat.oikotie.fi/tyontekijalle/artikkelit/hankala-pomo-ja-huonoa-johtamista-toimi-nain

    Ristiriitaa voi syntyä esimerkiksi siitä, että työntekijä joutuu aikataulupaineiden vuoksi tekemään työnsä huonommin kuin haluaisi tai eri tavalla kuin kokee itselleen sopivaksi.

    Loukkaantumista voi aiheuttaa se, että toinen peruu kokoukseen osallistumisen tai koko palaverin viime tingassa, tulee paikalle valmistautumattomana tai puhuu, muttei kuuntele.

    “Tällainen toiminta osoittaa kunnioituksen puutetta, ja se loukkaa, Saarinen kiteyttää.”

    Myös erilaiset viestintätyylit aiheuttavat kitkaa ja loukkaantumisia työpaikoilla.

    Reply
  6. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Ops 4.0—The Human Factor: A class size of 1
    Can your organization offer every employee a unique learning experience?
    https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/operations/our-insights/operations-blog/ops-40-the-human-factor-a-class-size-of-1

    Reply
  7. Tomi Engdahl says:

    These People Who Work From Home Have a Secret: They Have Two Jobs
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/these-people-who-work-from-home-have-a-secret-they-have-two-jobs-11628866529

    When the pandemic freed employees from having to report to the office, some saw an opportunity to double their salary on the sly. Why be good at one job, they thought, when they could be mediocre at two?

    Reply
  8. Tomi Engdahl says:

    One of the best ways to achieve long-term success is by intelligently, thoughtfully and consistently networking https://trib.al/6AAfC3u

    To Make The Best Of A Bad Situation With Omicron Closing Everything Down, Now Is The Best Time To Network Into Finding A New Job
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2021/12/22/to-make-the-best-of-a-bad-situation-with-omicron-closing-everything-down-now-is-the-best-time-to-network-into-finding-a-new-job/?sh=4304e7484b0f&utm_source=FBPAGE&utm_medium=social&utm_content=6106262972&utm_campaign=sprinklrForbesMainFB

    Let’s face the facts: it’s likely that we’ll be in a virus-driven world for a long time. We could complain and lament our fates. No one would fault us for feeling bad about young adults losing out on their college experiences when universities turn to remote learning, your vacation is canceled at the last minute and the dreaded feeling of being stuck in your home or apartment over the holiday season sets in once again.

    The other option is to make the best of a bad situation. It takes a strong person to push back on all of the negativity and fear and take proactive self-affirming measures.

    The holiday season was always a great time to reconnect with family, friends, long lost relatives and people who you haven’t seen for a long time. Now is the perfect time to rekindle relationships and start reaching out to people. With nearly everyone housebound, you should commence an aggressive networking campaign.

    Depending upon the level of how well you know the person, you can initiate a phone call, ask for a video conversation, text or email them. Say “Hi, it’s been a while. How is everything?” Offer some small talk about their family and what’s going on at work. Then, be direct, “I’m searching for a new job and noticed a position that’s a perfect fit for me. It’s with your company, too! I immediately thought of you. Could you please do me a huge favor? If I send over my résumé to you, will you feel comfortable helping me out and sharing it with the appropriate hiring manager and human resources person?” More often than not, the person would say she’s happy to help you.

    It makes a massive difference when a résumé is shared internally. Companies love internal referrals. They know that if an employee recommends a person, they must be good, as no one wants to risk their credibility by suggesting a person who is inappropriate for the role. It also saves on the costs of retaining a recruiter to fill the role or paying for more job listings.

    If you’re bold, find a second person at the firm. If two or more employees share your résumé with the hiring manager and HR, they’ll be blown away. The internal professionals will believe that since several people independently made the same recommendation, you must be amazingly awesome and perfect for the role.

    The hype gains their rapt attention and interest. There’s a feeling of mystery and intrigue. They’ll wonder who this person is and will anticipate meeting you.

    Reply
  9. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Elizabeth Holmes convicted of 4 of 11 fraud counts in Theranos trial
    https://techcrunch.com/2022/01/03/elizabeth-holmes-verdict-guilty-theranos-fraud/?tpcc=tcplusfacebook

    Elizabeth Holmes has been found guilty of defrauding investors as founder and CEO of Theranos. After four months of court proceedings and seven days of deliberations, the jury has reached a verdict that will have lasting implications in Silicon Valley and beyond.

    The former youngest and wealthiest female self-made billionaire was tried for two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and nine counts of wire fraud. Holmes was found guilty of conspiring to defraud investors, as well as defrauding investors from the DeVos family, hedge fund manager Brian Grossman and former estate and trust attorney Dan Mosely. She was not found guilty of charges related to defrauding patients.

    Holmes founded Theranos in 2003 after dropping out of Stanford. She pitched investors and partners on technology that would revolutionize the healthcare system — instead of drawing blood intravenously and waiting days for test results, her technology would prick a tiny bit of blood and instantly conduct dozens of tests on it. Soon she was the CEO of a company with a $10 billion valuation, but there was one problem: the technology didn’t work.

    Theranos has been defunct since 2018, but Holmes’ criminal trial only began this fall after delays due to the pandemic and the birth of Holmes’ child.

    Even though Theranos’ technology didn’t actually accomplish what the company claimed it did, Holmes said that she thought she was telling the truth — she even alleged that the slideshows she presented to investors were made by scientists and engineers. But the prosecution managed on some counts to convince the jury that Holmes knowingly misled investors and partners — one piece of evidence showed that Theranos used Pfizer’s logo in an unauthorized manner while negotiating a partnership with Walgreens.

    In a big twist for the high-profile trial, Holmes took the stand herself to argue that her failure as a startup founder doesn’t mean she committed fraud. In a key moment, Holmes alleged that Theranos COO Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani abused her.

    Balwani, who faces a separate trial next year, was Holmes’ boyfriend in secret.

    The trial’s verdict sends a message to tech founders that it’s not okay to lie about your technology — especially not when it affects the health of real people. But it sends a mixed message that she was found not guilty of the counts related to defrauding patients. Beyond that, the case showed how important due diligence is for investors and partners collaborating with startups. Notably, Theranos’ investors weren’t the usual-suspect venture capital firms.

    Some evidence showed that these investors were willing to give Theranos money even when Holmes evaded their more probing questions.

    But the investors’ misplaced belief in Holmes wasn’t the only thing propelling the faulty Theranos tech forward. Theranos and other diagnostics companies have exploited regulatory loopholes that allow devices that are not yet FDA approved to reach the market.

    Reply
  10. Tomi Engdahl says:

    19 TOXIC Tech Fails that will last Forever.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IErvIekMD3U

    19 of the Worst Tech fails of ALL Time. Including Nintendo, Nike, Twitter, Apple, Microsoft and much more

    22 NIGHTMARE Tech FAILS they want us to forget.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBcwFWS34ZY&t=0s

    22 of the Worst Tech fails of ALL Time. Including Xbox, Nintendo, Sony, GoPro, Blockbuster and much more

    Reply
  11. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Record 4.5 Million Americans Quit Jobs In November As Employers Struggle To Retain Workers
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanponciano/2022/01/04/record-breaking-45-million-americans-quit-jobs-in-november-as-employers-struggle-to-retain-workers/?utm_campaign=forbes&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_term=Gordie&sh=541a9bd25789

    Though the number of job openings fell more than expected in November, the number of Americans quitting their jobs jumped to record territory, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday, further illustrating the struggle employers are facing in filling—and retaining—jobs during the pandemic.

    The number of people quitting their jobs in November jumped to a record-high 4.5 million—surpassing the previous record of 4.4 million, set in September, according to the Labor Department’s job openings and labor turnover report.

    The quits rate increased to 3%, matching the series high in September, with large upticks in several industries, including food services (up 159,000), health care (up 52,000) and transportation (up 33,000).

    Though waning Covid-19 infections helped usher in a streak of promising labor market developments in the fall, a recent uptick in cases coincided with a disappointing jobs report for November, when the United States added less than half of the jobs economists expected. The “weaker-than-expected jobs report adds to the fear we’ve seen with the omicron variant, and it may stoke fears of stagflation, which consists of slower economic growth and higher inflation,” says Jay Pestrichelli, the CEO of Florida-based investment firm Zega Financial. The delta variant-spurred wave of Covid-19 infections set a cautionary precedent earlier this year, fueling struggles that culminated with the job market’s worst month of the year in September.

    Though jobs are “abundant,” analysts at Goldman Sachs have lowered their projections for labor force participation to just 62.1% by the end of the year—meaning the number of people working or looking for work should remain at 45-year lows. Led by Goldman’s Jan Hatzius, the analysts point out most of the 5 million people who have exited the labor force since the start of the pandemic are over the age of 55 and likely won’t ever return to work,

    Reply
  12. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Tämä ominaisuus nostaa tulotasoa jopa tuhansia euroja vuodessa, mutta moni salaa sen
    https://www.kauppalehti.fi/uutiset/tama-ominaisuus-nostaa-tulotasoa-jopa-tuhansia-euroja-vuodessa-mutta-moni-salaa-sen/2257a21d-cac0-41b3-a5d9-7498565fc147

    Älykkyys ennakoi vahvasti menestystä työuralla ja koulutuksessa, psykologian professori Markus Jokela kertoo. Mitä älykkyys sitten määritellään?

    ”On hankalaa, kun ei saisi sanoa, että on älykäs”, sanoo Mensan jäsen.

    Reply
  13. Tomi Engdahl says:

    2022 Digital Marketing Trends That Should Be On Your Radar
    https://blogs.constantcontact.com/digital-marketing-trends/

    Reply
  14. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Designed to run
    Reinvent your business using the power of technology with humans at the frontline to unleash maximum value of the Cognitive Enterprise.
    https://www.tietoevry.com/en/campaigns/2021/cognitive-enterprise/#Expert-insights-115571

    Reply
  15. Tomi Engdahl says:

    U.S. workers handed in nearly 20 million resignations this spring and summer. “Everybody quitting is saying, ‘I became part of the Great Resignation.’”

    America’s Workers Are Leaving Jobs in Record Numbers
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/whats-driving-americas-workers-to-leave-jobs-in-record-numbers-11634312414?mod=e2fb&fbclid=IwAR3tzb_jX9ebUa3YJuHB7BMmQUy3sKbRE9f_L_Q7sKFw6xySFUfEXe-V4Zw

    U.S. workers handed in nearly 20 million resignations this spring and summer

    Reply
  16. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Whats your code to let coworkers a client is “special”. piTA is sorta rude ivr been leaning toward
    VIPITOM
    Very important person in their own mind.

    Reply
  17. Tomi Engdahl says:

    10 ways to manage stress, according to mental health experts
    https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnypost.com%2F2022%2F01%2F11%2F10-ways-to-manage-stress-according-to-mental-health-experts%2F%3Futm_source%3Dfacebook_sitebuttons%26utm_medium%3Dsite%2Bbuttons%26utm_campaign%3Dsite%2Bbuttons&h=AT3StKd2Mr6O3pEAQzOgzXttM8QKdYBQxxGx8f9CKgD_MeCtUrgLSgBUg0BBIIsqEn7joc0XVb7rI35A7tYIZLUvT5PvFJIBWDcNeJHxJ5QbbRCHAS83ocpJB8XpO_zVxg

    We all want to be a better, less stressed version of ourselves in the new year. Actually accomplishing that? No easy task, especially amid an ongoing pandemic. Thankfully, there’s a slate of expert- and research-backed tips you can follow to channel a calmer, happier you in the new year. Fox News spoke to mental health experts for their secrets to help you glide into that saner state of mind.

    Reply
  18. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Vain 4 maata: Yhdysvallat, Kiina, Japani ja Saksa ovat yhdessä yli puolet (52,2 %) koko maailman BKT:sta.

    Reply
  19. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Nuoret valmiit ottamaan riskiä sijoittamisessa – Bitcoin lähes yhtä suosittu sijoituskohde kuin korkorahastot
    https://www.lahitapiola.fi/tietoa-lahitapiolasta/uutishuone/uutiset-ja-tiedotteet/uutiset/uutinen/1509575524865

    Reply
  20. Tomi Engdahl says:

    CIOn silmin: ”Teknologiaa ei voi aina erottaa taikuudesta”
    https://www.atea.fi/artikkelit/2022/cio-rajib-eklund-teknologiaa-ei-voi-aina-erottaa-taikuudesta/

    Atea-konsernin CIO Rajib Eklund sanoo, että tietohallintojohtajien pitäisi olla johtoryhmässä aivan kaikissa organisaatioissa – onhan teknologia tie parempaan tulevaisuuteen. Istahdimme juttelemaan it:n roolista ja päädyimme digitaalisista kaksosista aina Mahatma Gandhiin asti.

    Reply
  21. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Bisnesketteryys on uusi musta – onko Gartnerin bimodaali vanhentunut?
    https://nitor.com/fi/artikkelit/bisnesketteryys-on-uusi-musta-onko-gartnerin-bimodaali-vanhentunut?utm_source=facebook&utm_content=bisnesketteryys-on-uusi-musta-onko-gartnerin-bimodaali-vanhentunut&utm_campaign=blog&fbclid=IwAR17HnrOlBzgdDu9x7uWjGO9PFZBP5qsDyad_b8KTpHhhGlb1h2KTBEjNjs

    Onko Gartnerin vuonna 2014 esitelty kaksiosainen kehitysmalli tuttu? Mallin ajatus oli, että yrityksen ketterä transformaatio voidaan tehdä kaksiosaisena niin, että toinen malli tukee stabiiliutta ja toinen malli ketterää kehittämistä. Tällainen ajattelu alkaa olla mennyttä maailmaa, sillä kaiken kattava ketterä kehittäminen on tullut jäädäkseen.

    Reply
  22. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Companies are adding job titles focused on remote or hybrid work experiences as the shift to work from home becomes a lasting phenomenon that will require more accountability and greater attention from its leadership ranks.

    Reply
  23. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Women around the world are proving that 50 and beyond is the new golden age. Here are the founders, business and political leaders, scientists and vanguards leading the way throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa #ForbesOver50 https://trib.al/qI2XhR2

    50 Over 50: EMEA 2022
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2022/01/18/50-over-50-emea-2022/?sh=5f2d745e2224&utm_source=ForbesMainFacebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflowForbesMainFB

    Women around the world are proving that 50 and beyond is the new golden age. Here are the founders, business and political leaders, scientists and vanguards leading the way throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

    Reply

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