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10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

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Download the interview, read insights and more: http://33voic.es/infvd1r Erin McKean is the founder of Wordnik.com. Previously, she was the editor in chief for American Dictionaries at Oxford University Press, and the editor of the New Oxford American Dictionary, 2E. Her books include Weird and Wonderful Words, More Weird and Wonderful Words, Totally Weird and Wonderful Words, and That's Amore (which is also a collection of words). The Secret Lives of Dresses is her first novel, and really, her first book where the words are arranged in something other than alphabetical order. Erin lives in California south of San Francisco and spends her free time reading, sewing, blogging, roller-skating, and arguing about whether robots or zombies would win in a fight (lasers optional). She loves loud prints, quiet people, long books with happy endings, and McVitie's Milk Chocolate Hobnobs.

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Page 1: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

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10 INSIGHTS ON LANGUAGE AND BUSINESS

Page 2: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

This presentation consists of highlights from the interview with Moe Abdou,

founder & host of 33voices®.

Page 3: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

Erin McKean is the founder of Wordnik.com. Previously, she was the editor in chief for American Dictionaries at Oxford University Press, and the editor of

the New Oxford American Dictionary, 2E. Her books include Weird and Won-derful Words, More Weird and Wonderful Words, Totally Weird and Wonderful

Words, and That’s Amore (which is also a collection of words). The Secret Lives of Dresses is her first novel, and really, her first book where the words are ar-

ranged in something other than alphabetical order.

Erin McKean@emckean

Co-Founder of Reverb Technologies

Page 4: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

Observe closely and you’ll notice those with rare intelligence and wit reading creative non-fiction or great fiction full of metaphors.

Insight #1

Page 5: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

Insight #2

You’ll know that you’ve stumbled upon a great definition when a word just flows — no hitch in

your understanding of the broader topic or work.

Page 6: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

Insight #3

The lean entrepreneur always lives in the question, for she approaches each project with a mindset to

Listen first, then Test, Understand and React.

Page 7: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

Insight #4

Your hypothesis will crystalize the highest value application of your product or service.

Never stop discovering and validating it.

Page 8: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

Insight #5

Feedback is to a lean practitioner what oxygen is the body — fuel. Accept it in the spirit of the

gift it is and you’ll see with 20/20 vision.

Page 9: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

Insight #6

Any revenue model that isn’t based on happy users having a great experience is exploitive. Make someone really happy

and they’ll pay for your service.

Page 10: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

Insight #7

If you aspire to solve difficult problems, start with brainpower; especially engineers, and then listen intently to figure out how you

can deliver exactly what people need.

Page 11: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

Insight #8

Modern search is more like a discovery mechanism. Data will recognize your implicit desires and present you with explicit options

to bring them to life.

Page 12: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

Insight #9

Building an MVP for a mobile app? Try testing the basic features in Canada;

you’ll welcome the candid feedback.

Page 13: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

Insight #10

Those who go far in life work hard at being lucky, for they know that luck starts

with seeing what others don’t see.

Page 14: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

What’s your first step in approaching a difficult problem?

tweet us!

Page 15: 10 Insights on the Power of Language in Business — Erin McKean

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