As you know, I have a love hate relationship with acronyms.

I love to hate them… and any other language device that seeks to disguise meaning and act as an obstacle to communication.

So… time for a little hypocrisy then.

BPO.

No, I am not referring to the Baltic Ports Organization, Business Process Offshore, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra or a Benign Prostatic Obstruction.

I’m talking about Business Prevention Officers.

BPO’s are the ‘can’t dos’ in any organization. Among a number of distinctive features they:

• will give a short, sharp intake of breath when you suggest something new
• invoke any number of laws going back to the 12th century as reasons for inaction
• use the word compliance—or probably non-compliance—in every sentence
• will tell you which Division in your company won’t like your new initiative (so, for example,<sharp intake of breath> ’sales won’t like that’)
• will remind you of a number of business constraints that prevent adoption of your new idea (using the words ‘budget’ and ‘headcount’ a lot).

Now, don’t get me wrong. Organizations often need people who are willing to pull on the handbrake when ludicrous ideas start to gain traction.

No, it’s the automatic naysayers I’m talking about. There will be some in your organization armed with a bucket of cold water ready to douse the flames of a good idea.

It will be up to you to help champion that idea past them.

Tags: 12th century acronyms adoption baltic ports berlin philharmonic orchestra business constraints business process champion cold water compliance distinctive features flames handbrake headcount hypocrisy inaction language device naysayers obstacle sharp intake of breath