Comments on: Is the Word “Solution” Dead? http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/ Everything about writing and marketing white papers Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:35:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: mikeyg11 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-63082 mikeyg11 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:41:39 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-63082 Anyone's "solution" implies I have a problem which needs solving, presumably by them. Commercials or websites offering the same seem to say "You, average American, must have problem X, so we offer solution Y." Obviously their implication is more subtle: "You may have this pesky little problem to which we have the answer." but the usage is too aggressive to be humbling for those wishing to sell a product or service. They would be as well as off selling, like the bandwagoners of old, miracles or cures. Anyone's “solution” implies I have a problem which needs solving, presumably by them. Commercials or websites offering the same seem to say “You, average American, must have problem X, so we offer solution Y.” Obviously their implication is more subtle: “You may have this pesky little problem to which we have the answer.” but the usage is too aggressive to be humbling for those wishing to sell a product or service. They would be as well as off selling, like the bandwagoners of old, miracles or cures.

]]> By: Matt http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-62033 Matt Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:40:01 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-62033 I don't think there should be a single replacement for the word "solution" otherwise that word will become just as overused. I think best judgment should be used to select the appropriate word for the circumstance. If a company is selling a product, use "product"; if it is a service, say "service". If it is a combination of both, say "products and services." Or, better yet, call it by what it is (the product name, it's description, etc.) Case in point: I was just on a product website that used the word "solution" 22 times. The name of the product was only used 12. I would have cringed less if the web page author used their product name more frequently, or at least picked up a thesaurus, and found synonyms for the word "solution." The bottom line is, when I'm looking for a product to fill a need or desire, don't call it a solution. Because first, not having the product is not a problem on my part, and second, the product doesn't "solve" anything. See my pen example in the post above. I don’t think there should be a single replacement for the word “solution” otherwise that word will become just as overused. I think best judgment should be used to select the appropriate word for the circumstance. If a company is selling a product, use “product”; if it is a service, say “service”. If it is a combination of both, say “products and services.” Or, better yet, call it by what it is (the product name, it’s description, etc.)

Case in point: I was just on a product website that used the word “solution” 22 times. The name of the product was only used 12. I would have cringed less if the web page author used their product name more frequently, or at least picked up a thesaurus, and found synonyms for the word “solution.”

The bottom line is, when I’m looking for a product to fill a need or desire, don’t call it a solution. Because first, not having the product is not a problem on my part, and second, the product doesn’t “solve” anything. See my pen example in the post above.

]]> By: Kontador http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-61997 Kontador Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:32:04 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-61997 I just googled for " a better word for solution" and found this article. After doing a bit of my own thinking for I cam up with the word "methodology" as a replacement word. Now it may not always be appropriate but for what I am busy with I am not going to my client with the word "Solution" in my initial presentation as for me it creates the feeling that I have the perfect solution already for my client. Sales people are so often criticized for not understanding the clients business they are selling to. But if I use the word "Our methodology" it could work as an intelligent way of selling the solution as a methodology can be improved with understanding. So it is kind of like saying I do not fully understand your business, I have to in a way co-develop the "solution" with you. This indicates keen interest to put the effort into understanding the clients business first. This assessment could be a freebie and after going through this process I would be more comfortable using the word solution when I see them the second time around. I would have done my research, be more confident and I would have made sure they are in agreement :-) Ok.. back to work! I just googled for ” a better word for solution” and found this article. After doing a bit of my own thinking for I cam up with the word “methodology” as a replacement word. Now it may not always be appropriate but for what I am busy with I am not going to my client with the word “Solution” in my initial presentation as for me it creates the feeling that I have the perfect solution already for my client. Sales people are so often criticized for not understanding the clients business they are selling to. But if I use the word “Our methodology” it could work as an intelligent way of selling the solution as a methodology can be improved with understanding. So it is kind of like saying I do not fully understand your business, I have to in a way co-develop the “solution” with you. This indicates keen interest to put the effort into understanding the clients business first. This assessment could be a freebie and after going through this process I would be more comfortable using the word solution when I see them the second time around. I would have done my research, be more confident and I would have made sure they are in agreement :-) Ok.. back to work!

]]> By: Matt http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-61917 Matt Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:42:59 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-61917 I think the real question is: why is my non-ownership of someone's product, or non-use of someone's service viewed as a "problem"? My wants, needs, and desires (even in a business capacity) are not necessarily problems. Contrary to an earlier post, the word "solution" is not the word that I key on to understand company X can "solve my business problem." The word makes me cringe. It is a mistake to believe my need is a problem to be solved. And what arrogance to think that the word "solution" is the only one a customer understands! To the author of that post: let's suppose you manufacture pens, and I am a writer. I need a pen to write. I go out and buy yours. But it is not a solution, it is only a tool to help me write. A true "solution" would be for you to give me $100k a year so I no longer have to write. I think the real question is: why is my non-ownership of someone’s product, or non-use of someone’s service viewed as a “problem”? My wants, needs, and desires (even in a business capacity) are not necessarily problems.

Contrary to an earlier post, the word “solution” is not the word that I key on to understand company X can “solve my business problem.” The word makes me cringe. It is a mistake to believe my need is a problem to be solved. And what arrogance to think that the word “solution” is the only one a customer understands!

To the author of that post: let’s suppose you manufacture pens, and I am a writer. I need a pen to write. I go out and buy yours. But it is not a solution, it is only a tool to help me write. A true “solution” would be for you to give me $100k a year so I no longer have to write.

]]> By: Erick http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-61520 Erick Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:11:54 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-61520 Maybe the solution to the word "Solution" is to put it down and walk away for a while. It's like buying a new car... the car you just bought is really not that unique. It's been on the market and car lots for months. You only noticed it after you picked it up and handled it (bought one.) Now that you have it, suddenly you see them all the time on the road. You can do the same thing with the word "and." It's a conjuction but there are other conjuctions you could use. Is it really a thorn in our side or just a sudden realization of how close it is to us each and every day? Maybe the solution to the word “Solution” is to put it down and walk away for a while. It’s like buying a new car… the car you just bought is really not that unique. It’s been on the market and car lots for months. You only noticed it after you picked it up and handled it (bought one.) Now that you have it, suddenly you see them all the time on the road. You can do the same thing with the word “and.” It’s a conjuction but there are other conjuctions you could use. Is it really a thorn in our side or just a sudden realization of how close it is to us each and every day?

]]> By: Narconon http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-60700 Narconon Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:27:43 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-60700 The word 'solution' is just that, a word. So many companies have gone on to offer many a solution and have failed to deliver. I think that it's not that the word has gone out but that the companies of today have gone out ethics meaning that they are no longer priding themselves as being able to actually offer their customers solutions. They are more motivated at getting customers to produce income and make more money and giving the costumers the bare minimum. So, the words is not dead, it's the promise of what the words offers that is. The word ’solution’ is just that, a word. So many companies have gone on to offer many a solution and have failed to deliver. I think that it’s not that the word has gone out but that the companies of today have gone out ethics meaning that they are no longer priding themselves as being able to actually offer their customers solutions. They are more motivated at getting customers to produce income and make more money and giving the costumers the bare minimum. So, the words is not dead, it’s the promise of what the words offers that is.

]]> By: Jonathan Kantor http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-36490 Jonathan Kantor Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:17:36 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-36490 Dead huh? So what's your selection for a one-word replacement for the word "solution"? And it better not be "results", because results can't be guaranteed. At least a company can guarantee that they can provide a "solution" to their customers. I'll gladly take that bet. I expect that the word "solution" will be around for a long time. You see, business people understand the word and they understand what it means for their business. They're not driven by a bunch of marketing writers trying to win the next clio award in an attempt to be fashionably innovative. Here's my take on the word "solution": http://www.whitepapercompany.com/blog/?p=630 Dead huh?

So what’s your selection for a one-word replacement for the word “solution”? And it better not be “results”, because results can’t be guaranteed. At least a company can guarantee that they can provide a “solution” to their customers.

I’ll gladly take that bet. I expect that the word “solution” will be around for a long time. You see, business people understand the word and they understand what it means for their business. They’re not driven by a bunch of marketing writers trying to win the next clio award in an attempt to be fashionably innovative.

Here’s my take on the word “solution”:

http://www.whitepapercompany.com/blog/?p=630

]]> By: Rob Kennedy http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-36311 Rob Kennedy Sat, 13 Oct 2007 06:31:39 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-36311 Couldn't believe my eyes the other day...went into my local food emporium and saw a sign hanging above the meat counter..."Halaal meal solutions" Surely "Halaal meals" would have sufficed? !! People are just trying to make things sound too fancy these days instead of focusing on the quality or the service. "Solutions" is just another hype word similar to ball park, fast track,intervention and so on. Like all the others it will die, given time. Couldn’t believe my eyes the other day…went into my local food emporium
and saw a sign hanging above the meat counter…”Halaal meal solutions”
Surely “Halaal meals” would have sufficed? !!

People are just trying to make things sound too fancy these days instead
of focusing on the quality or the service.

“Solutions” is just another hype word similar to ball park, fast track,intervention and so on. Like all the others it will die, given time.

]]> By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-25130 Michael Stelzner Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:34:40 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-25130 Barry; I see that Keiths book came out in 2003, the height of the "solution" frenzy. I think the word is less important now than the concept. We still solve problems, but perhaps the word solution has been too watered down. Mike Barry;

I see that Keiths book came out in 2003, the height of the “solution” frenzy.

I think the word is less important now than the concept.

We still solve problems, but perhaps the word solution has been too watered down.

Mike

]]> By: Barry Kirby http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-25127 Barry Kirby Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:05:14 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/02/20/is-the-word-solution-dead/#comment-25127 Does this mean that "Solution Sales" is dead...hmmm, puts a dent in my buddy Keith Eades Book "The New Solution Selling" Does this mean that “Solution Sales” is dead…hmmm, puts a dent in my buddy Keith Eades Book “The New Solution Selling”

]]>