DorobekInsider: What are the most annoying buzz words?

DorobekInsider: What are the most annoying buzz words? We all remember synergy — pulling desperate organizations together so that the sum was more then th...

DorobekInsider: What are the most annoying buzz words?

We all remember synergy — pulling desperate organizations together so that the sum was more then then added parts… and we all remember how well that worked.

What is the synergy of 2009? Accountemps conducted a survey of executives… and among the items on their list…

Executives were asked, “What is the most annoying or overused phrase or buzzword in the workplace today?” Their responses included:

  • Leverage: As in, “We intend to leverage our investment in IT infrastructure across multiple business units to drive profits.”
  • Reach out: As in, “Remember to reach out to customers impacted by the change.”
  • It is what it is: As in, “The server is down today, and clients are irate. It is what it is.”
  • Viral: As in, “Our video has gone viral.”
  • Game changer: As in, “Transitioning from products to solutions was a game changer for our company.”
  • Disconnect: As in, “There is a disconnect between what the consumer wants and what the product provides.”
  • Value-add: As in, “We have to evaluate the value-add of this activity before we spend more on it.”
  • Circle back: As in, “I’m heading out of the office now, but I will circle back with you later.”
  • Socialize: As in, “We need to socialize this concept with our key stakeholders.”
  • Interface: As in, “My job requires me to interface with all levels of the organization.”
  • Cutting edge: As in, “Our cutting-edge technology gives us a competitive advantage.”

Accountemps conducted a similar survey in 2004. The following “Hall-of-Fame” buzzwords were cited in both surveys:

  • At the end of the day
  • Synergy
  • Solution
  • Think outside the box
  • On the same page
  • Customer-centric

Some phrases cited in the most recent survey suggest executives are suffering from recession fatigue, including:

  • Recession
  • Depression
  • Economy
  • Do more with less
  • Restructuring
  • Downsizing
  • Gloom and doom
  • Pay freeze
  • Bailout
  • Overworked

So what are the government buzzwords out there these days — and I’d be the first to acknowledge that one of them is “government 2.0″ — or, to be honest, virtual anything 2.0.

But I’d love to hear your over-hyped buzz words.

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