“KILLER PHRASES”

(often used excuses for why it won’t work)

1. We tried that before
2. Our place is different
3. It costs too much
4. That’s beyond our responsibility
5. That’s not my job
6. We’re all too bust to do that
7. It’s too radical a change
8. We don’t have the time
9. Not enough help
10. That will make other equipment obsolete
11. Let’s make a market research test of it first
12. Our office is too small for it
13. Not practical for operating people
14. The men will never buy it
15. The union will scream
16. We’ve never done it before
17. It’s against our company policy
18. Runs up our overhead
19. We don’t have the opportunity
20. That’s too ivory tower
21. Let’s get back to reality
22. That’s not our problem
23. Why change it? It’s still working OK
24. I don’t like the idea
25. You’re right, but…
26. Your two years ahead of your time
27. We’re not ready for that
28. We don’t have the money, equipment, room, or personnel
29. It isn’t in the budget
30. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks
31. Good thought, but impractical
32. Let’s hold it in abeyance
33. Top management would never go for it
34. Let’s put it in writing
35. We’ll be the laughing stock
36. Not that again
37. We’d lose money in the long run
38. Where’d you dig that one up?
39. We did all right without it
40. That’s what we can expect from the staff
41. It’s never been tried before
42. Let’s shelve it for the time being
43. Let’s form a committee
44. Has anyone else ever tried it?
45. Customers won’t like it
46. I don’t see the connection
47. It won’t work in our plant
48. What you are really saying is…
49. Maybe that will work in your department, but not in mine
50. Don’t you think we should look into it further before we act?
51. What do they do in our competitor’s plant?
52. Let’s all sleep on it
53. It can’t be done
54. It’s too much trouble to change
55. It won’t pay for itself
56. I know a fellow who tried it
57. It’s impossible
58. We’ve always done it this way