Most irritating phrases in the English language
May 26th
Reader’s Digest has come up with a list of the 10 most irritating phrases in the English language. I agree with them all:
- At the end of the day
- Fairly unique
- I personally
- At this moment in time
- With all due respect
- Absolutely
- It’s a nightmare
- Shouldn’t of
- 24-7
- It’s not rocket science
I would add a few of my pet nails-on-chalkboard phrases to the list:
- In this economy…
- Supposably… (it goes with the “Shouldn’t of”)
- Axe (as in, “I need to axe him if he can go to the store”)
- Each and every one of you…
- K-Mart’s, Wal-Mart’s, Aldi’s, Target’s…
What else is on YOUR list?
Maybe Guide One Insurance *is* like all the others.
Apr 27th
I’m a pretty reasonable guy. I work hard, try to keep things going smoothly, create cool stuff, raise a family, and try to enjoy life.
But a recent encounter with my (former) insurance company, Guide One Insurance, is enough to make me go all crazy-n-stuff. This isn’t like me — I’m one of the more laid-back types you’ll ever see, but in the words of Judge Judy, “don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining.”
I’ve churned through several insurance companies over the years, and they all seem to offer the same options:
- Get a great sales pitch from an “agent” who pulls a credit report for no valid reason (as if it has anything to do with your driving skills or home value?)
- Sign up for their product, start paying exhorbitant premiums
- Get passed to the “corporate office” who then takes over all aspects of your account, mails you bills and propaganda once in awhile (by postal mail, because email is way too newfangled), handles all your claims and interactions on their toll-free 800 number, and then punishes you if you actually have a “claims experience” with them
- Have some sort of contact with your agent early in the sales process, only to never hear from him/her again (some agents still send out a Christmas card or annual calendar, but that doesn’t count, because they’re probably done by the Corporate Office anyway)
- Agent makes money from your business, but never contacts you for anything proactively — if you call him/her, you get transferred to someone else (possibly on the toll-free 800 number). Note: if you need to buy more insurance, however, the agent may reappear — but otherwise the agent flies the coop while collecting fat commission checks from the “corporate office.”
Great copywriting from Trozzolo
Feb 5th
I ran across a printed copy of the Trozzolo Communications Group newsletter called “High Return” at work today. It’s a really nicely-done piece (inserted into my Kansas City Business Journal). Pasquale Trozzolo wrote an article called “Pass the Malaise” encouraging business people to “educate [customers] on how your product or service can enhance what they do. Use persuasive communication that’s light on hype and heavy on facts and feeling.”
The whole newsletter is fantastic. It’s encouraging and shows off Trozzolo people and successful projects. It’s an enjoyable read.
Tabula Rasa
Jan 18th
This, friends, is what’s known as a “clean slate.” I’m going to make a conscious effort to start blogging more often and with more useful stuff. Watch this space for great excitement in 2009!
ENFP – Yeah, that’s me.
Nov 30th
From the intro to the ENFP Facebook group I just joined:
ENFPs are awesome! ENFPs are warm, enthusiastic people, typically very bright and full of potential. They live in the world of possibilities, and can become very passionate and excited about lots of things. Their enthusiasm lends them the ability to inspire and motivate others, more so than seen in other types. They can talk their way in or out of anything. They love life, seeing it as a special gift, and strive to make the most out of it.
ENFPs have an unusually broad range of skills and talents. They are good at most things which interest them. Project-oriented, they may go through several different careers during their lifetime. To onlookers, the ENFP may seem directionless and without purpose, but ENFPs are actually quite consistent, in that they have a strong sense of values which they live with throughout their lives. Everything that they do must be in line with their values. ENFPs are charming, ingenuous, risk-taking, sensitive, people-oriented individuals with capabilities ranging across a broad spectrum. They have many gifts which they will use to fulfill themselves and those near them, if they are able to remain centered and master the ability of following through.
Most ENFPs have great people skills. They are genuinely warm and interested in people, and place great importance on their inter-personal relationships.