Michael VanPutten » Communication http://www.michaelvanputten.com My personal blog: A little bit of everything all on one web site. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:57:02 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc Friends, comedy, life http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2010/01/30/friends-comedy-life/ http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2010/01/30/friends-comedy-life/#comments Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:47:42 +0000 Michael VanPutten http://www.michaelvanputten.com/?p=501 Continue reading →]]> Today I shared a meal with an old friend in a cozy restaurant in downtown Kalamazoo, MI. More than a year passed since we last enjoyed real-time, face-to-face communication. I was glad to learn about what he had been up to both at work and in life. We talked technology and productivity — like so many times before. I learned that he has been working on some storytelling and comedy material, which he might try out at an open mic session in the near future. I can’t wait to hear the routines and see him perform on stage.

To all my friends out there, know that I think of you often. I wish time would slow down a bit, and that we could hang out more, enjoy some good food, and talk about all the great things we are planning to do.

]]> http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2010/01/30/friends-comedy-life/feed/ 0 37 Signals criticizes buzzwords and makes a good argument for simplicity http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2006/09/26/37-signals-criticizes-buzzwords-and-makes-a-good-argument-for-simplicity/ http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2006/09/26/37-signals-criticizes-buzzwords-and-makes-a-good-argument-for-simplicity/#comments Wed, 27 Sep 2006 01:21:12 +0000 Michael VanPutten http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2006/09/26/37-signals-criticizes-buzzwords-and-makes-a-good-argument-for-simplicity/ Continue reading →]]> Matt Linderman over at 37 Signals wrote a thought provoking article titled “Buzzwords say all the wrong things“. Matt advocates the use of simple speach that is easy for all to understand. He indicates that it has been his experience that for many individuals:

“These buzzwords are often a mask. People who use them are covering up their ideas — or the lack thereof. They are overcompensating. They don’t have anything substantial to say so they try to use impressive sounding words instead.”

I think Matt misses an opportunity to observe that some people may tend to use buzzwords to fit in with co-workers or associates — there can be a strong drive to be part of the “IT Crowd”. Others may use complex language and exhausted sounding buzzwords to gain recognition from supervisors or upper management.

In addition to speaking in simple terms it may be helpful to slow down. Fast paced, intense deadlines may prevent people from gaining the understanding they need to master the task at hand.

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