Jorge Barba posted a list of 109 innovation-stopping phrases. Come on, people, you can think of more! Here are my additions:
- There's no time! (You might call this the Jack Bauer excuse.)
- Where's the supporting evidence? (Often stated by people who steadfastly refuse to provide any evidence for their position.)
- Customers don't know what they want.
- Customers don't know a good innovation until they see it. (Sometimes used to quash good ideas, when used as a synonym for the previous excuse.)
- You have no appreciation for what Development does. (While it may be true, this statement does not ipso facto invalidate the idea.)
- The CEO hates that sort of thing.
- But we have to invest our precious resources in beating the competition. (Rather than trying to differentiate yourself from the competition.)
- That's a pretty long-pole project. (Sometimes a synonym for, "I wouldn't enjoy working on that project.")
- We'll take that under consideration. (As opposed to, "Let's talk about the next steps.")
- If this works, we'll be heroes! (Which raises the question, why is a heroic effort required?)
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