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PFM Marketplace => Have you seen this? => Topic started by: petagny on April 29, 2013, 09:21:40 GMT

Title: Management-speak
Post by: petagny on April 29, 2013, 09:21:40 GMT

A few days ago I had a private rant about the increasing use of 'going forward'. Here's a list of some equally annoying terminology from the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/apr/25/top-10-worst-management-speak

I have to admit that I use some of it myself. 'Issues' is one of my favourite ways of avoiding using the word 'problems'. 'Challenges' is another way!

Probably dentists and oil prospectors should be the only people allowed to use 'drill down'. And yet only last week I used the term to explain how incisive my analysis was going to be!

Title: Re: Management-speak
Post by: Napodano on April 29, 2013, 16:08:42 GMT

I must confess that I like jargon and acronyms; I do not find them annoying but, on the contrary creative.

I believe that in all Technical Assistance projects there should be a 'sunset clause'.

My favorite acronym: c.o.b. (close of business) to indicate deadlines.

Title: Re: Management-speak
Post by: Reg on April 29, 2013, 17:29:50 GMT

yeah, an' wot's wrong wiv' "a fare"? or a Tony? - Tony Blair = Fare geddit?  just language innit?

Title: Re: Management-speak
Post by: petagny on April 30, 2013, 08:11:09 GMT

It all depends doesn't it?

Some jargon is useful in simplifying concepts and saving time; but often jargon can be used to obfuscate or to exclude those not in the know from 'the group'. Sometimes it's just plain ugly, like 'going forward'!

Title: Re: Management-speak
Post by: Napodano on April 30, 2013, 08:15:20 GMT

Quote from: petagny on April 30, 2013, 08:11:09 GMT

.....often jargon can be used to obfuscate or to exclude those not in the know from 'the group'....

'Obfuscate' is a good one  8)

Title: Re: Management-speak
Post by: John Short on April 30, 2013, 13:17:28 GMT

Would offuscare do or would that be too confusing?