Comments on: Stupid uses of “solution” http://stilgherrian.com/marketing/stupid_uses_solution/ All publication is a political act. All communication is propaganda. All art is pornography. All business is personal. All hail Eris. Vive le poisson rouge sauvages! Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:53:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Stilgherrian http://stilgherrian.com/marketing/stupid_uses_solution/#comment-11570 Stilgherrian Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:50:41 +0000 http://stilgherrian.com/marketing/stupid_uses_solution/#comment-11570 <strong>@Alastair:</strong> Do we need such a word? Why not just use a word that specifically describes what is being proposed in concrete terms? For example, instead of saying "We offer storage solutions", why not just say "we offer managed data storage"? @Alastair: Do we need such a word? Why not just use a word that specifically describes what is being proposed in concrete terms? For example, instead of saying “We offer storage solutions”, why not just say “we offer managed data storage”?

]]> By: Alastair http://stilgherrian.com/marketing/stupid_uses_solution/#comment-11555 Alastair Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:59:43 +0000 http://stilgherrian.com/marketing/stupid_uses_solution/#comment-11555 Your suggestion for a word that encompasses both products and services? Your suggestion for a word that encompasses both products and services?

]]> By: Zern http://stilgherrian.com/marketing/stupid_uses_solution/#comment-11524 Zern Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:03:10 +0000 http://stilgherrian.com/marketing/stupid_uses_solution/#comment-11524 One reason I dislike the word "solution" when used this way is the arrogant assumption that they already know the answers to their clients' problems. And of course in this example, "tree solutions" means nothing at all. Is it the removal or insertion of tree? Is it liquidised tree (as in tree IN solution)? ... :) One reason I dislike the word “solution” when used this way is the arrogant assumption that they already know the answers to their clients’ problems.

And of course in this example, “tree solutions” means nothing at all. Is it the removal or insertion of tree? Is it liquidised tree (as in tree IN solution)? …

:)

]]> By: Stilgherrian http://stilgherrian.com/marketing/stupid_uses_solution/#comment-11521 Stilgherrian Tue, 11 Mar 2008 22:22:20 +0000 http://stilgherrian.com/marketing/stupid_uses_solution/#comment-11521 Just to expand on this point, I have no problem with words like "ecology" and "DNA" when used in the correct context -- or even when they're used as an <em>accurate</em> metaphor for whatever the user is talking about. F'rinstance, "business ecology" is actually a good metaphor. There's big critters like IBM and Telstra and BHP Billiton, little critters like me and the corner shop at the end of the street, and all sorts of critters in between. Each depends on the other. If the corner shop goes broke, that's another business phone line Telstra loses. The baker has one less customer. I have to walk further to get the milk, so 15 minutes fewer billable hours a few times a week. Conversely, Telstra's actions affect the viability of that small business and others like it -- as do the actions of every other big player. Everything is connected in a complex web of interrelationships. We all depend on each other. An ecology. However, most of the time I hear a manager talking about "business ecology", they really just mean "our client" or "our suppliers". They're just using the word to flag that they're read the latest business articles. Or to group-bond with their fellow thought-sheep. Just to expand on this point, I have no problem with words like “ecology” and “DNA” when used in the correct context — or even when they’re used as an accurate metaphor for whatever the user is talking about.

F’rinstance, “business ecology” is actually a good metaphor. There’s big critters like IBM and Telstra and BHP Billiton, little critters like me and the corner shop at the end of the street, and all sorts of critters in between. Each depends on the other.

If the corner shop goes broke, that’s another business phone line Telstra loses. The baker has one less customer. I have to walk further to get the milk, so 15 minutes fewer billable hours a few times a week. Conversely, Telstra’s actions affect the viability of that small business and others like it — as do the actions of every other big player. Everything is connected in a complex web of interrelationships. We all depend on each other. An ecology.

However, most of the time I hear a manager talking about “business ecology”, they really just mean “our client” or “our suppliers”. They’re just using the word to flag that they’re read the latest business articles. Or to group-bond with their fellow thought-sheep.

]]> By: Marty http://stilgherrian.com/marketing/stupid_uses_solution/#comment-11509 Marty Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:07:43 +0000 http://stilgherrian.com/marketing/stupid_uses_solution/#comment-11509 I keep using the phrase "Web 3.0-alpha2" to annoy people. I keep using the phrase “Web 3.0-alpha2″ to annoy people.

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