Pick two:
What really matters? That’s the question we ask in marketing.
The answer is what we focus on. I hope you picked the final two bullets.
While a leading question, it highlights something I believe:
Names are secondary, if not tertiary, to influencing the outcomes we’re aiming for.
So why do we focus so much damn time on them?
We were launching a SaaS product. I had worked at a consulting firm for 4+ years, and we had made the leap to selling software.
I’d estimate we spent over 20 hours discussing names.
While we had a product to improve (build!) and a culture to refine, we focused on the name instead. And I would say (till blue in the face) how this was a waste of time, and we must focus on the higher aims.
I dreaded the infinite loop of conversations on names and why they mattered.
I had little support. Because this is an unchallenged belief we hold:
Names impact the outcomes we desire.
I disagree. And I aim to prove that in the following essay:
I’ve had many experiences with naming.
Like what to name an internal newsletter, a new channel in Teams, or a podcast. I’ve also come across many names in my time and had many “thoughts.”