Stop Using These Phrases Today

Pragmatic Live Chat

I think elevator music exists for a reason, but isn’t really what you should strive for” – Kirsten Butzow

What do the phrases “thinking outside the box,” “give 110%,” and “new normal” have in common?

Answer: They. Mean. Nothing.We’ve overused these phrases so much that they, at best, mean nothing and, at worst, harm your messaging.

In this episode, our host, Rebecca Kalogeris, interviews Kirsten Butzow, Senior Vice President at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, about the problems these phrases cause and why we should stop using them.

They discuss:

  1. What to say instead of common corporate jargon
  2. Why corporate speak drifts out to the marketplace
  3. Why you shouldn’t work 110%

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  • Pragmatic Editorial Team

    The Pragmatic Editorial Team comprises a diverse team of writers, researchers, and subject matter experts. We are trained to share Pragmatic Institute’s insights and useful information to guide product, data, and design professionals on their career development journeys. Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Since 1993, we’ve issued over 250,000 product management and product marketing certifications to professionals at companies around the globe. For questions or inquiries, please contact [email protected].

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