Tips of the trade
While on the subject of COP17 and conference messages that make sense to the man in the street, try banning the following tired words and phrases from your communication:
• Synergy
A synergy occurs when two or more parties are greater than the sum of its parts. Find a new word. Please.
• Thinking outside the box
This knackered phrase needs to die a terrible death.
• For all intents and purposes
Do you mean in a practical sense? Then say so.
• Literally
Literally means word for word, or without exaggeration. So why use it if you really mean something?
• Leverage
Business speak is peppered with the word leverage in lieu of use or benefit from. That’s not what leverage means. Use it properly - or not at all.
• Real-time
Real-time was a groovy concept a decade ago. It just isn’t cool anymore.
• Nice
Nice is about as blah as adjectives get. Don’t use it. Ever.
