problem. SOLVED.

The Anti-Buzzword Business Dictionary (With FREE Cliché Remover!)

2008-08-12T21:11:00.007-04:00

In the ever changing world of neologisms...

I often hear complaints--and the occasional ridicule from astute observers--that consultants, attorneys, magicians and others in the the International Society of Smoke and Mirrors (ISSM) spend more time making things harder to understand than they do demystifying.

This is invariably true, but since my ISSM membership may be approaching expiration (more on that later) I am reclaiming some of the liberties I enjoyed before my initiation. A few terms at a time, I will build a "user-friendly" (buzz!) dictionary of business terms that won't make you feel like your student loans were a complete waste.

Anti-Buzzwords are in RED.

Buzzwords are in BLUE.

(Try not to read too much into that.)

alignment

the synchronization and optimization of ideas, strategies, programs and practices

alignment

the process of building a corporate culture to achieve strategic goals

branding

the art of creating trust

branding

a means of distinguishing one firm's products or services from another's and of creating and maintaining an image that encourages confidence in the quality and performance of that firm's products or services

corporate culture

the personal and emotional attributes of your business environment

corporate culture

the combined beliefs, values, ethics, procedures, and atmosphere of an organization. The culture of an organization is often expressed as "the way we do things around here" and consists of largely unspoken values, norms, and behaviors that become the natural way of doing things. An organization's culture may be more apparent to an external observer than an internal practitioner. The first person to attempt a definition of corporate culture was Edgar Schein, who said that it consisted of rules, procedures, and processes that governed how things were done, as well as the philosophy that guides the attitude of senior management toward staff and customers. The difficulty in identifying the traits of culture and changing them is borne out by the fact that culture is not merely climate, power, and politics, but all those things and more. There can be several subcultures within an organization, for example, defined by hierarchy on the shop floor or executives or by functional sales, design, or production. Changing or renewing corporate culture in order to achieve the organization's strategy is considered one of the major tasks of organization leadership, as it is recognized that such a change is hard to achieve without the will of the leader.

Comparative definitions courtesy of BNET

"Eye See VC..."

2008-08-05T12:50:00.003-04:00

(click on the comic for full view)

"And I Quote..."

2008-07-29T21:11:00.006-04:00

"Quotations are used for a variety of reasons: to illuminate the meaning or to support the arguments of the work in which it is being quoted, or to provide direct information about the work being quoted (whether in order to discuss it, positively or negatively, to pay homage to the original work or author, to make the user of the quotation seem well-read). Quotations are also commonly printed as a means of inspiration and to invoke philosophical thoughts from the reader."

- Courtesy of Wikipedia

One of the most effective, yet misused or abused tools of communication, what I LOVE about quotes is that they are often the most concise manner in which to make a much broader point. Without wasting words or being enslaved to context, quotes can give authority and meaning to your messaging in ways that clichés and colloquialisms fail to do.

On occasion I will share examples of my personal and professional favorites. When the time permits, I may leave a few words on my interpretation or suggested uses, but this more intended to provoke dialogue. From the humorous, to infamous, to the obscure--something to make you smile while you contemplate. Please feel welcome to offer your commentary as well, then we shall get back to business as UNusual.

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls, and looks like work."

- Thomas Edison, American Inventor

"When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

- Abraham Maslow, American Psychologist

"Let's be clear: The Net is not about technology, it's about people -- a fact that is obvious to everyone except to we programmers. The most important things we, as humans, need to do -- commercially or socially - is to connect with others. An online community is no substitute for real-world interactions. In fact, the most successful online communities are the ones that throw parties, sponsor events, host get-togethers - help members meet one another face-to-face in the real world."

- Craig Newmark, Craigslist Founder

"It's WHO... You know!?"

2008-07-22T21:11:00.003-04:00

The Education of Independence

2008-07-15T09:11:00.009-04:00

An Open Letter to Education Leaders

Dear Education Leaders,

This month, most of us have spent at least one day reflecting on the independence of our nation from the then tyranny of British rule. We should also spend a moment to comparatively reflect on some of the freedoms we now enjoy, resulting from the independence of our educational ideals and practices being liberated from the tyranny of bureaucratic rule. Choice in education is a present reality that has been the impetus for sweeping qualitative reforms and proven increasingly beneficial to the educators, parents--and most importantly--the children in our communities.

But while there is indeed cause to celebrate, there must also be a call for caution--and action. Those who oppose the freedoms of choice, autonomy and opportunity for the children in our communities are taking no holidays off from mobilizing against our mission to effectively educate. Though many governing bodies are preparing for summer recess, there is no season of recess from the efforts to disqualify, disquantify or otherwise sabotage our progress.

To forge ahead in confidence will require new energy, resources, innovation and strategy. From George Washington to Jack Dempsey to John Madden, it has been said, "The best defense is a good offense." And nowhere does this ring more true than in the arena of education reform. Our scores and statistics are reported as if education has evolved into sport, but scarce are the compelling stories of changed lives, developed character and newfound hope. We are burdened with dispelling myths, rumors and lies, in "defense" of our good work. As the work continues, it will require you to fortify your schools, organizations, associations and support institutions with the capacity to lead the charge toward great quality, and even greater expectations. To this end, Solutions Consulting Group has taken initiative--developing a cadre of products and professional services, branded and designed with you in mind--to assist the education leaders of today, in preparing for tomorrow. Our work is purposed to honor the very best definition of the word educate.

educate - to develop the innate capacities of