I presented our attorney with the notes from a meeting we had with a client so she could draft up our agreements.
She replied back in a few minutes asking if she was to invoice us for the time she would spend researching the definitions for the dozens of “cute catchy phrases” and “relentless use of acronyms” our client used?
Of course, I told her I would provide her with a glossary of the terms being used broken down into layman’s terms, but this did highlight how overused catchphrases are used in business conversations.
She went on to explain that the use of buzzwords and catchy phrases filled with abbreviations of even longer buzz phrases are “Cute” but hurt the representation of the business using them. Since she deals with this hourly I can rest assured what I am being told is advice you might need to know.
Heads Up!
So Heads Up!
If you are one of the thousands of business coaches and business consultants who have invented a catchphrase or buzzword you use in your presentations…then I am here to pass on what I have been told (and already knew) is that you are making yourself look foolish when you use them.
What is wrong with just using the English language as it was designed to be used to communicate your thoughts? Yes, I am aware of there is a need to cut down on the number of times you have to say phrases and titles given to processes or products. Repeating them thousands of times during your speech makes the speech borrowing.
I also know using customized taglines and slogans is marketable and sets you apart from other speakers who bore audiences to death. I also know that many, if not all, of the business people in audiences, will fly directly home to use the catchy phrase and acronyms they heard used so they can appear to be cool.
Eventually, your catchy catchphrase and acronyms will be part of everyone’s ‘shop-talk quickly making it cliché.
Yes, They Are Cute
Naturally, I totally agree with our attorney. Catchphrases are not needed when meeting with people outside the organization. They produce too many questions and uncertainty. In meetings between two businesses, the communications need to be CLEAR.
Business people being pitch something are not fools, so, why treat them like one? Spouting off a long list of catchy works and abbreviations during a presentation, or even worse…putting them in a presentation just ruins any professionalism that has been built.
Sure, there are catchphrases that are cute and provide a moderate level of entertainment. Many even offer a look into the speaker’s intellect. However, overall, cute phrases and acronyms just get in the way of what the message being told really is saying.
BOTTOMLINE: Use the real word or words needed to describe what it is you saying or telling someone. If a catchy phrase is created..so be it, but don’t drive it in the grown and for sure do not make it part of your business agreement. I can safely say that the invoice from your attorney for trying to be cute is not cheap.
Let me know how I can help.
