Lars Vollmer is a well-known entrepreneur, coach, author, and speaker. Recently, in the “heise meets … the decision-maker talk” podcast, he discussed the origin and impact of buzzwords in the workplace. Vollmer believes that behind every buzzword, there is a hope for a recipe for success. Companies hope to find a solution to replicate and apply to their own businesses. However, it is mostly a fallacy as every company is unique.
Vollmer explains how buzzwords are created when a startup brings a successful product to the market. For example, if a successful team used a special board to collect and implement ideas, many companies assume that the board is the reason for their success. However, the board is not the reason for their success; it is the framework that allowed the team to concentrate solely on the project without any distractions.
Vollmer also believes that companies’ obsession with establishing a startup mentality within their larger organizations is a fallacy. He thinks that suggesting that employees lack passion and qualifications and need a startup spirit is not true. Startups operate differently compared to larger organizations, and it’s not necessary to hold regular meetings or carry out detailed annual reviews. They function more like a coffee or kitchen table based on demand.
Additionally, Vollmer points out that the desire to break out of silo thinking is not the solution. Instead, the problem lies in the existence of silos within organizations. Managers are given their own goals by the company management, and partially they’re allowed to operate separately without guidance. This results in executives not talking about their guidelines, leading to silo thinking, which is often seen as a hindrance to success. To abolish silos, Vollmer suggests proceeding intelligently and in a differentiated manner, avoiding simple solutions or buzzwords.
