We’re all familiar with the game BINGO. Fill out the game card, get five in a row to win. Yell, “BINGO!”
Nearly as many of us are familiar with business jargon-based BINGO cards. These cards feature overused phrases and jargon we leverage and maximize like low-hanging fruit.
Online, you can find BS Bingo, Ad Agency Jargon Bingo, Social Media Jargon Buster, and many more…
Sure these are fun to scan… it is amazing to realize how much jargon we really do use… they also can serve as a helpful tool.
Killer Phrases
One key reason new and potentially innovative ideas don’t get implemented at companies is because skeptics and scaredy cats kill ideas when they’re first proposed. They use killer phrases like: “We’ve tried that before.” and “Yeah, but…”
Great ideas often sound “wild and crazy” at first. They can go against the established guidelines and the status quo. (And then there are those who are afraid the new idea will put them out of a job). To help give ideas a chance, I’ve created an Idea Killer BINGO card.
[click to download template]
This will help you to identify when people use killer phrases that nip ideas in the bud before the idea has a chance to grow.
This card is meant to be used for awareness, rather than played as an actual BINGO game. If in a meeting you have more than one or two of these pop-up… Your team needs professional help. You should stop the meeting immediately because your team probably won’t create anything new and meaningful.*
Your next meeting should be about how your team needs to be less critical, pause before they pounce, and try to build on an idea – see where it can go… Instead of just killing it.
You can find more “killer phrases” at the Killer Phrase Central section of Chic Thompson’s What A Great Idea site.
*I’d be happy to point you in the direction of several great books that offer tips on how to let ideas flow more freely.
Paul, great post. Just this morning a response to a post told the poster to start over and his idea was not good. The poster, by the way, didn’t ask for a business opinion, but rather a marketing one.
Thanks for the blog.
So do you think I’d get in trouble if I brought this into the next meeting? If the entire “O” column was “Not A High Priority Right Now” all the way down…I’d be golden. B-I-N-G-O!
Have you considered the value of trademark and copyright on this sucker? This is instantly a very nice iPhone app, and has the potential to be a very nice line of men’s ties with the label on the back being a micro-version of the bingo card. Not that anyone wears a tie any longer but I like to do so at formal meetings and events, where such phrases as these can thrive. Very well played, Paul.
This is seriously funny, Paul, because it’s seriously true. Bravo!
As I said on Twitter, this reminds me of parenting, too. As grownups, we often have all the answers for our kids, and I’m always so tempted to be an “Idea Killer” to their spirit and fresh ideas (and I have in the past): “That’s a dumb idea because…”
There’s definite wisdom in holding back and letting them try things on their own, irregardless of the outcome. Within, you know, reason.
Harry – thanks for your comments, and kind words!
Tracy,
Do you need me to make you a custom version?
If it’ll help your team be more creative… I’ll be happy to help!
Thanks for commenting.
Paul
John,
Thanks for the compliment! I agree, it would make a neat iPhone app.
Have a nice weekend,
Paul
Ann,
You’re totally right.
“Because I said so” is a good one. Also, “I don’t know – ask your mom.”
Really it is gr8 post and too informative as well.
Thanks a lot Alok.
Paul
Ahh, your salary? That, uhhh, sounds “wild and crazy” at first, but has sorta chance to grow. Thanks!
Nice Post! Hey its very interesting and funny…
OMG I love this. Will have to print a couple out and maybe add a few new ones. Great job!