Buzz Words Can Buzz Off
In our fast paced technologically saturated society, often times we hear a word or phrase from a successful person and start using the same language when we may not truly grasp what the term really means, or its implications. When I was in grade school one such occasion I chose to listen instead of saying something to sound like I knew about the subject. In this instance, my silence allowed someone else to sound not so bright. Some of the kids were talking about skiing. I hadn’t been to the snow often enough to know much of the jargon. One of the kids announced he really liked to go down the slope as fast as he can. Another chimed in, “yeah, I do too! I like to snowplow down the mountain”. Yeah, that is the opposite of going fast.
Whether we know the concept of a buzz word (or phrase) we may not use it in the proper context. Big words or buzz words can ruin our credibility faster than a digital download. Here’s a short list of buzz words/phrases we might use, preferably in the correct context:
“analytics” — Information resulting from the systematic analysis of data or statistics.
“bandwidth” — The energy or mental capacity required to deal with a situation.
“best practice” — An invented term…to describe one person’s solution to a task or process… †
“big data” — Extremely large data sets that may be analyzed computationally to reveal patterns, trends, and associations, especially relating to human behavior and interactions.
“curmudgeon” — A bad-tempered person, especially an old one (ed. note — just a funny sounding word I like)
“globalization” — The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale
“guru” — An influential teacher or popular expert.
“holistic” In its entirety; any system, structure…considered as a whole composed of many parts. †
“leverage” — The power to influence a person or situation to achieve a particular outcome.
“logistics” — The detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies.
“outsource” — Obtain (goods or a service) from an outside or foreign supplier, especially in place of an internal source.
“paradigm” — A typical example or pattern of something; a model.
“robust” — Strong and healthy; vigorous.
“scalability” — The capacity to be changed in size or scale.
“sea change” — A profound or notable transformation.
“social capital” — The networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively.
“synergy” — The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.
“sustainability” — Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.
“tiger team” — A team of specialists in a particular field brought together to work on specific tasks.
“tranche” — A share, a percentage, a portion, or part of something; assets belonging to or due or contributed by an individual person or group. †
“wheelhouse” Often used to explain something that falls into a person’s area of expertise. †
Source: Oxford English dictionary
† Source: Urban dictionary
