At the office or via conference calls, I’ve used clichés many times. Business cliches are phrases that lack impact and often convey unintended impressions, or at least a serious lack of imagination. For your consideration, I’ve listed my top five most overused business phrases....
1. “Let’s get the low hanging fruit” – This relic is normally meant to convey the speaker’s opinion on prioritization. Pursuing whatever he/she advocates; will presumably result in a higher success rate because of fewer barriers. Be wary when you hear it. You may by closer to the orchard and your gut may tell you that more fruit hangs high, has already been picked, or already rotted than the speaker knows.
2. “It is….what it is” – Of course. What else could it be? If you wish to say we must reluctantly accept the current state and move on; just say that.
3. Here's another classic cliché and one typically used to answer a very simple and honest question like, how are you? I'm referring to the standard reply, "I'm living the dream". It might been amusing the first five times one hears it....but after that?
4. “Let’s think outside the box” – This tired metaphor reveals that the speaker trying to inspire or reward freethinking probably lacks imagination. That defeats the purpose of using it to animate others in the first place.
5. “Our people are our most valuable asset” – How many mission statements, speeches and ads, include this syrupy old slogan? It’s usage automatically invites skepticism. Why not post examples that actually demonstrate an organization’s commitment to employee well-being, as opposed to a ubiquitous platitude?
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