7 Worst Business Buzzwords of 2015

The next time you feel the need to reach out, shift a paradigm, leverage a best practice or take a 360 approach, by all means, do it. Just don’t say you’re going to do it—because those words are nothing but meaningless business jargon.

The problem is, we’re all guilty of using them. It’s annoying gobbledygook, and somehow these empty phrases have mesmerized the rank and file around the globe.

At 1851 Franchise, we’ve heard (and used) our fair share of buzzwords. So in a concerted effort to admit our faults and learn from our mistakes, here are some of our office’s worst offenders.

Let’s Take This Offline

In a world where we’re always communicating through our iPhones, tablets and computers, where does this magical place even exist? Are we talking penning your next big business request with ink and paper and sending it out to your colleague via snail mail or a carrier pigeon? Because, let’s be honest, that’s truly taking things offline.

But that’s probably not it. Chances are it means this: “Let’s discuss this at a later time.” Or, in other words: “Let’s not air our dirty laundry in front of a group.” Next time, be clear about your intended action. Instead, simply ask to continue the discussion during a break, or over lunch.

I Don’t Have the Bandwidth

It started out strictly as a tech word, but it’s now replaced “capacity” in just about every scenario. If an employee doesn’t have time for something, they might say: “I don’t have the bandwidth right now.” It’s even crept into the HR lexicon: “Does he have the bandwidth to do this job?”

We’re not living in The Matrix quite yet—so maybe we can describe our lives in human terms for just a bit longer?

He/She is a Total Rock Star!

This probably means that you kicked ass and saved the day at your job. It could also mean that you’re a creative and inspiring employee. But let’s be honest, if that employee was truly a Rock Star, they’d be showing up late to the office, drinking excessively, and flipping the middle finger. We might be going out on a limb here, but that doesn’t sound like the kind of behavior that’s conducive to a high-performing professional office, right?

Instead of using euphemisms for success, try highlighting the specific strengths of each employee. Chances are, they’ll feel seen and appreciated.

Let’s Hit the Ground Running

This just sounds bad for your knees, and that type of team-wide injury can really impact workflow and dramatically increase your company’s healthcare premiums (has the Internet created a sarcasm font yet?).

The point here is that you’re trying to instill a sense of urgency. But maybe try personalizing the conversation by discussing the list of activities that will prepare each team-member to be successful right from the start.

Bleeding Edge

You’ve developed technology so new and cool that it makes you want to evoke sword-smithery, huh? Really, what they’re trying to say is that a company has created something that it’s leading the leading-edge. It’s the hipster before the hipster became cool. It’s an idea so new and revolutionary, that you’ve probably never even heard of it before.

Instead of describing your new idea or product with a phrase that sounds like a bad horror movie title, why not just tell it like it is? Let everyone else make that determination for themselves.

Authentic

If you have to tell people that your brand is authentic, chances are it isn’t. Why? Because it’s a word that’s being overused, and it’s being used incorrectly. When it became common knowledge that Millennials loved to buy from companies who are authentic, marketers hurried to throw that word—and other thesaurus favorites—into their literature and advertising. Bam. Authenticity taken care of, right?

The problem is, you can’t tell someone that you’re authentic any more than you can tell someone you’re trustworthy. You have to prove your authenticity. And you have earn your title. From there, who you are will speak for itself.

Let’s Get the Ball Rolling