“The frontier of high-value scenarios we enable will march outward”
It is no use. I must scratch that itch: the itch to ban things. It is time to put another 10 logs on the fire; another 10 words or phrases on the Banned List.- “Push back.” Thank you to Adam Wagner for drawing this infection to the attention of the control unit.
- “…in a globalised world.” Marek Zajac.
- “Put the Great (back) in Great Britain.” David Taylor @david_taylor.
- “Calendarise.” It really happens. Cal Flyn.
- “To nail it.” To write something with which I strongly agree. Anna Knight.
- “Ambassador”, for anyone who is not a diplomat. Clive Davis.
- “Economic illiteracy”: I disagree and you’re thick; “economic madness”: I disagree and you’re dangerous; “economics of the mad house”: there may be a perverse incentive involved. With thanks to Steve Van Riel and Tim Bale.
- “Optics.” David Mills.
- “Brexit.” Meaning British exit from the European Union. Can’t believe I missed this one. Matthew Forrest.
- “[N] years of pain/hurt.” Tim Cooper.
And now, thanks to Niels Footman and Curt Woodward of Xconomy, let me introduce the Banned List case study no 1: a memo to all Microsoft staff from CEO Steve Ballmer (pictured) entitled, “One Microsoft: Company realigns to enable innovation at greater speed, efficiency”, 11 July 2013. Which includes such gems as:
“The frontier of high-value scenarios we enable will march outward.”“The evangelism and business development team will drive partners across our integrated strategy and its execution.”“Each major initiative will have a champion who will be a direct report to me or one of my direct reports.”“Process wise, each major initiative (product or high-value scenario) will have a team that spans groups to ensure we succeed against our goals.”
Unbeatable stuff, really, which makes me feel a little guilty about having made fun in the past of the output of two-bit PR outfits struggling to make an honest living.
