When the word “jargon” first appeared in the 14th century it referred to the jumbled chirping of birds. Over time it took on a general meaning – confused unintelligible language. These days we think of jargon as the words that members of a group use to describe specialized concepts. Jargon serves a social purpose, too. … Read more
Word Nerd Wednesday: Jargon
Word Nerd Wednesday: Vacation
“Word Nerd Wednesday” is a weekly series that uses language to help us think differently and solve old problems in new ways. I’ve always been a fan of staycations, likely because I travel so much for work (well, I did, pre-pandemic). The word staycation is technically redundant, though. The original meaning of “vacation” is simply … Read more
Word Nerd Wednesday: Slideument
“Word Nerd Wednesday” is a weekly series that uses language to help us think differently and solve old problems in new ways. Today’s word is one I made up…slideument. We need this new word to distinguish between presentations and written documents that just happen to be in Powerpoint or similar format. There is nothing wrong … Read more
Word Nerd Wednesday: Journey
“Word Nerd Wednesday” is a weekly series that uses language to help us think differently and solve old problems in new ways. While designing a survey on customer journeys, I started debating with colleagues what counts as a “journey”. My first thought was, of course, to check the dictionary. #wordnerd) The formal definition of … Read more
Word Nerd Wednesday: Neighborly
“Word Nerd Wednesday” is a weekly series that uses language to help us think differently and solve old problems in new ways. The definition isn’t what I thought it would be. It’s not just “characteristic of a neighbor”. It’s characteristic of a *good* neighbor. But are most neighbors (geography) really neighborly (experience) these days? In … Read more
Four Ways To Improve An Anxious Customer’s Experience
Anxiety levels are high due to coronavirus, but let’s not forget – plenty of people were stressed out before this started. Many will be after, too. Organizations need to think about emotional context – how someone feels when they start a journey with your company – at all times.
Word Nerd Wednesday: Prescient
“Word Nerd Wednesday” is a weekly series that uses language to help us think differently and solve old problems in new ways. To be prescient is to have foresight – to know about things before they happen. Wouldn’t that be nice right about now?! It’s a mashup of “pre” (ahead) and a Latin verb “scientia” … Read more
Word Nerd Wednesday: Enterprise
“Word Nerd Wednesday” is a weekly series that uses language to help us think differently and solve old problems in new ways. In business we use “enterprise” to refer to a large company, but it has another meaning: an undertaking that is difficult, important, or requires boldness. Sounds like the CX and culture work we do, doesn’t … Read more
Word Nerd Wednesday: Discombobulate
“Word Nerd Wednesday” is a weekly series that uses language to help us think differently and solve old problems in new ways. A memory from the Milwaukee Airport, ca. 2012. A sign read – Recombobulation Area. Best sign ever, in my opinion. It prompted a long discussion with my geek friends about whether “combobulate” and … Read more
Word Nerd Wednesday: Corporate
“Word Nerd Wednesday” is a weekly series that uses language to help us think differently and solve old problems in new ways. This week’s word: “corporate.” It comes from the Latin “corporare,” to form into one body. What if being a corporation was a cultural designation instead of a legal one? To earn corporate status … Read more
