We know words can intimidate; but, this is especially so for words we don’t know. And that’s where the opportunity exists. It gives rise to an industry of people making a living using the latest terms we either don’t know, or terms we pretend to know to avoid seeming to be the ignorant person in the room.
I credit the idea for this Post to an engineer colleague called Frank. We would often put together customer pitches, but before going to press, Frank would question whether we were ‘buzz word’ compliant. This meant using at least one buzz word for very 2 slides.
The ‘buzz word’ was some term that was sufficiently new, made up, or confusing as to be cool and
Guy Stevensontrickcause others to believe we knew our stuff.
Now, ‘stuff’ can never be a buzz word because it is simple and understandable on its face. But, here are some terms that breathe the rarified air of buzz:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the ability of a computer to think like an intelligent person. Can’t be done yet because computers don’t really learn. But that doesn’t stop marketers to advertise otherwise.
- Blockchain is a system in which a record of transactions made in bitcoin or another cryptocurrency are maintained across several computers linked in a peer-to-peer network. Or, it’s a ‘computer log’.
- Business Intelligence (BI) is the information a business collects about itself. ‘Company Data’ anyone? No, just not as clever sounding as Business Intelligence.
- Metaverse is a hypothetical single, universal, and immersive virtual world focused on social connection, existing as a parallel to, or replacement of, the physical world through the use of personal computers, Augmented Reality (AR) headsets, and Virtual Reality (VR) headsets. Also known as the ‘end times’.
- Scrum is a framework that helps teams work together. I think my mom invented this years ago when she sent me out to ‘play nice’.
I realize there is a level of snarkiness in this post. Maybe that’s because I have not invented the ideal buzz word yet. I’m working on it though. Have you heard about my new software category that sits over all other software? Thinking of calling it MetaEpi SupraSoftware (MESS).
Cheers!
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