Boring meetings are the bane of the business world. However, you can make them a lot more interesting by playing "buzzword bingo." It's easy.
Simply print out this column (there's a "printable" version link underneath the "like" buttons), and hand out copies to your friends and colleagues before a big meeting. Be sure to bring a full mug of coffee and have a pot (or two) ready by the meeting room.
Keep your copy atop your notebook, like you're taking notes. Each time a speaker uses a buzzword for the first time, circle it. Every time you reach a multiple of 10, take a drink. If all the players are paying attention, you'll reach for your coffee mugs at the same time! Hilarity ensues.
(The game is even more fun, of course, if you add a little whiskey to your coffee before the meeting–although it should be noted that many companies frown on this.)
- Read more: 21 Tips to Fix Your Presentations
In any case, by the time the meeting is over, all the players will be nicely caffeine-buzzed and ready to get some actual work done.
By the way: I've heard rumors that a version of this game is played by analysts at Gartner who are forced to listen to multiple vendor presentations. Bottoms up!
Here's the list:
- accountability
- actionable
- actualize
- all-hands meeting
- analysis paralysis
- back-end
- ballpark
- best of breed
- best practice
- big picture
- bleeding edge
- blue-sky thinking
- bottom line
- brick-and-mortar
- client-centric
- closure
- componentize
- conceptualize
- co-opetition
- critical path
- customer-centric
- customer-focused
- cutting-edge
- drill down
- ecosystem
- empower
- end-to-end
- enterprise-wide
- fast-track
- framework
- globalize
- goal-oriented
- going forward
- holistic
- incentivize
- industry-leading
- leading-edge
- leverage
- mind-set
- mindshare
- mission critical
- monetize
- negative growth
- next generation
- nimble
- offline
- offshoring
- operationalize
- out-of-the-box
- outside the box
- outstanding
- paradigm
- power shift
- principle-centered
- prioritize
- proactive
- productize
- proprietary
- ramp up
- reach out
- reality check
- recontextualize
- regroup
- repurpose
- result(s)-driven
- rich media
- rightshoring
- rightsize
- risk effect
- robust
- scalable
- sea change
- seamless
- secret sauce
- siloed
- smartsize
- solutionary
- solutioning
- soup to nuts
- stand-alone
- state-of-the-art
- strategic fit
- strategic gap
- streamline
- stretch the envelope
- synergy
- tail risk
- talking points
- task force
- third generation
- tip of the iceberg
- touch base
- turnkey solution
- user-centric
- validate
- value-add
- value chain
- value proposition
- visibility
- vision statement
- win-win
- world class
Now, if only some enterprising entrepreneur would turn this game into an iPhone/Android app, we'd really have something, eh?
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