Finding where the grass is greener...outside the box
We work hard to find and develop creative and original ideas to improve prosperity. The pursuit of new solutions has been described as 'thinking outside the box', suggesting that there is much to be discovered outside one's immediate and familiar terms of reference. I quite like the expression but have found, with just a little research, that it is considered to be the most annoying example of business jargon! I suppose it only depends on the context and frequency of use whether charming imagery becomes irritating 'meeting mantra'! 'Thinking outside the box' is not alone; it has much jargon hot on its heels. Here's one writer's 'hit list':
- Thinking outside the box
- Let's touch base
- Blue sky thinking
- Drill down to a more granular level
- Let's not throw pies in the dark
- I've got that on my radar
- Push the envelope
- Get all your ducks in a row
If you'd like a little entertainment take a short detour and read this article: http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/111790/The Most Annoying Business Jargon.
There is even 'post political correctness' jargon with someone suggesting that 'thought shower' should replace 'brainstorming' to avoid upsetting those who suffer epilepsy, honest! Follow this link: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/185204-dont-brainstorm-take-a-thought-shower. On reflection I think the complete lack of irony among proponents of corporate jargon is probably worse than the word combinations themselves!
OK, back to business and improving our mutual prosperity; read on in plain English as we outline our ongoing efforts to find the best ways to make your money grow in these 'interesting' times.
How do we go about this? Sometimes we need a ladder or another means of elevation so we can get a better view. From higher up you see more. Get a wider perspective. Make more informed choices and decisions. Is 'bird's eye view' jargon?!
In many respects the economic downturn of the last 3 years has had the effect of taking away all our ladders and chopping down all the trees so that we're unable to climb up and see what's going on further afield. It is easy to feel trapped in our immediate surroundings with the sense that 'things are bad everywhere' as the gloomy and pessimistic prevailing 'wisdom' is repeated and repeated...if we believe all we hear.
The thing to remember is that 'all we hear' is not all there is to hear. Although we live in a global community with access to the most sophisticated communication systems, most of the economic news we receive is quite insular. This is in spite of the fact that plenty of successful things are going on and good opportunities are to be found.
We just have to find new and different ways to climb high enough to see where the grass is greener and how to get there. How about standing on each other's shoulders? Or multiplying that idea into a human tower?
Sharing ideas, working together rather than in isolation and encouraging each other to find positives can have an infectious effect. Find the first solution and you'll be inspired to look for more!
This is what Giroma's Ant fund and Phoenix initiatives are all about. We've identified places at different stages of the cycle which present better growth possibilities and we're intent on making the most of them while they're available. There's no time like the present so seize the day. Come and share in the rewards.
The Ant fund takes any sum from £1000 for 12 months and gives a 7% return.
The Phoenix project is described on our dedicated website: www.phoenixsyndicates.com