posted on May 18, 2005 06:08:51 AM new
Am I that out of touch? I have never heard the term low-hanging-fruit ??!! Sounds a little too 'street' for a professional office if you ask me!
(And I just know classicrock will have a field day with that one!!)
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msnbc.com
Buzzwords have a way of creeping into our vocabulary, but using too many of them may cramp your communication style. While expressions such as "think outside the box" or "take it offline" seemed fresh a few years ago, they've become cliché and, in same cases, downright annoying.
In fact, according to a recent survey by Robert Half International, workers polled identified the following tired office terms, in addition to those above, as among the most obnoxious:
"Synergy"
"At the end of the day"
"Solution"
"Metrics"
"Redeployed people"
"On the runway"
"Win-win"
"Value-added"
"Paradigm"
"Get on the same page"
"Customer-centric"
"Generation X"
"Accountability management"
"Core competency"
"Alignment"
"Incremental"
Industry jargon, a form of shorthand used by people within a particular company or field, is prevalent in nearly every business sector. Mastering a vocabulary specialized for a certain profession helps individuals demonstrate their expertise and keep up with colleagues.
Buzzwords won't ever completely disappear from the office. Although old terms eventually fade, new ones continually emerge. Consider the following phrases, which you may be hearing more of soon:
Watercooler games (n.) -- co-worker discussions
Smell test (n.) -- determining the potential success of a product; formerly "run it up the flag pole"
Critical path (n.) -- determining the appropriate steps to take
Low-hanging fruit (n.) -- easy opportunities for new business
Bandwidth (n.) -- the amount of time and resources needed for a project
Download (v.) -- assess the facts of a particular situation
Brain dump (n.) -- providing all of the information; typically given when someone is handing over an initiative or preparing a successor
Using this terminology doesn't always make communication easier. Excessive lingo can create a host of problems. People outside your organization or industry may not understand the latest buzzwords; they may even feel alienated by your use of these unfamiliar terms. To avoid communication confusion among your co-workers and business partners, it's best to keep buzzwords to a minimum. Here are some additional tips to ensure your messages are always well-received:
posted on May 18, 2005 09:22:01 AM newlow-hanging-fruit??
lol...I've heard that phrase used before in business. As it says...refers to 'what's easily obtained'....
you know...just like when animals are under a fruit-bearing tree...the lowest branches [fruit] on the tree are the easiest for them to reach. Now...the giraffes..they can easily reach the fruit from the middle and top of the tree - without a struggle.
posted on May 18, 2005 10:23:24 AM new
"I have never heard the term low-hanging-fruit
ahh I have never heard of the term either-for a minute,I thought you were talking about my nuts and how you would like to have them.
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Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on May 18, 2005 10:25:38 AM new
"Hate posting to my own posts. Makes me feel as low as crowfart. check that maui thing out"
well DB-when everyone's got you on ignore-thats what happens
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Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on May 18, 2005 10:32:38 AM new
They say "juxtaposition" and "anchor" on decorating shows w-a-y too many times. I'm beginning to understand why Elvis shot his tv.
dbl...that's something you NEVER, EVER have to worry about. And the 'thread' on her so proves it.
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Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on May 18, 2005 11:41:53 AM new
KRAFT-If I were watching "decorating" shows,I'd shoot my tv also.
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Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on May 18, 2005 11:44:45 AM new
I was reading an article in one of my mother's AARP magazines about this very thing. It talked about all the buzzwords we used to use and asks the question, where have they gone? If I can find that issue, I'll have to post some of them. Talk about bringing back memories.
posted on May 18, 2005 01:43:26 PM new
uh-oh Cheryl,reading my mother's AARP magazines ...I think thats when you start to get worried - when AARP appeals to ya...lol!
posted on May 18, 2005 03:09:00 PM new
lol I dont know linda. it just sounds so...apple picken'ish. Something the trees in the wizard of oz would say...
What a weird day, btw!
.
[ edited by dblfugger9 on May 18, 2005 03:11 PM ]
