I was browsing the web recently when a headline “Offensive Productivity” caught my eye. It was an article relating to an American sports team and was bemoaning the performance of the attacking members if the team (the offence).
Now, here in the UK, we don’t use productivity in relation to the performance of sports teams. (I’m not sure what the metrics would be).
So, why am I mentioning this?
It just reminded me of that old aphorism .. Britain and America are 2 countries divided by a common language …. but the real reminder is that some language – indeed some concepts – do not travel well across national – or cultural – borders,
Make your productivity – and other – pronouncements culturally neutral and certainly try to ensure you are avoiding ‘ offensive productivity’.
Of course, if you ever find our messages offensive, please give us the benefit of the doubt. Offence was not intended.