Many of you know I detest buzzwords and other corporate jargon. In many cases, these are terms invented by consultants who take an old idea, put a new label on it, make it as confusing as possible, and then sell you a solution.
Unfortunately, in my line of work, I witness it all the time: job candidates using buzzwords on their resumes or during interviews in an effort to convey their business savvy. It usually backfires.
My rationale is: Why use confusing words when you can just use plain, simple language that everyone understands?
Here is my bi-annual list of buzzwords that drive me crazy. Let me know if you have others you would like added to the list.
Disruption
Still my #1 most annoying buzzword. If you say you’re a “disruptor” on your resume, you will never get a call from me.
Alignment
Not sure, but I think that means we agree.
Let’s marinade on that
Unless you are a steak that needs tenderizing, why don’t you just “think about it”? Someone recently said, “Let me ‘percolate’ on that” but he can be excused because he is a coffee connoisseur.
Gig economy
Evidently, this refers to people can’t find decent full-time jobs and have to work part-time job to make ends meet.
Circle back
Doesn’t going in a circle mean ending up where you started? Why would you want to do that?
Core competencies
You could just tell us what you’re good at instead.
There’s lots to ‘unpack’
Why don’t we just discuss stuff?
In the wheelhouse.
Seriously, if I was a ship’s captain, I’d be very insulted that the place where I work all day has been turned into a buzzword.
Comms
Just use the full word “communications”. It does not take that much longer and eliminates a lot of confusion.
Customer-centric
Pay attention to the people who pay you. It can’t be that hard.
Deep dive or drill down
You don’t need to dive or drill. Just check it out.
30,000-foot view
All I know is when I look out a plane at 30,000 feet, I usually see clouds.
Going forward
I guess it’s possible you could be going backward. But I suspect if you are going anywhere, it is forward, right?
In the hopper
We’re gonna need a pretty big hopper by the time we stuff all these buzzwords in it.
NextGen
Short for ‘next generation.’Pretty sure this refers to your children and their friends.
Paradigm shift
This one has been around for decades and it’s still annoying. You could just “think differently.”
Pivot
Doesn’t that mean changing your mind?
Price point
You can just say ‘price.’ It’s shorter.
Run it up the ladder
Why don’t you just talk to the boss?
Side hustle
Latest jargon for a ‘part-time job.’
We operate in silos
That means we don’t talk to each other.
Words that start with ‘uber’ (like uber-cool)
That means it’s pretty darn good … if you like Uber, that is.
Monetize
Why not just tell us how you’re going to make money? Then everybody will understand what you mean.
But seriously … words matter. They can be powerful. Let’s try to speak and write with clarity. Simple, everyday words, constructed into short sentences, will be appreciated by your audience.
