The NICE Tool
One of the tasks that we sometimes struggle with as we’re building out the components of our business is coming up with a memorable title or phrase that communicates what we want potential clients to know about what we do.
If you’re like me, you’ve experienced a strategy that makes it easy to remember a list of words … yep, I’m talking about acronyms. That’s where the first letter in a series of words spells another word.
My first recollection of using this strategy was in my college anatomy class … I was a PE major and we had to know all the bones and muscles. One set of muscles, the rotator cuff, consists of the SITS muscles:
- Supraspinatus
- Infraspinatus
- Terres minor
- Subscapularis (I confess I had to look this one up … but that class was a long time ago!) 🙂
I’ll bet that you’ve run across some businesses with the coolest acronyms for their systems, signature programs, podcasts, and more.
My friend, Estelle Kelly, helps people make decisions about their retirement at Desire to Retire. Her signature plan is DISIRE – I love this because it captures what she does! It’s also fun because it’s not a perfect spelling!!
One note before we move on, use acronyms sparingly. I remember getting my first full-time professor position and being overwhelmed with how everyone talked in acronyms … shaking my head!
So just choose one area of your business where you’re going to use an acronym … the major process or information that you want people to recognize.
Here’s my newest find: The Acronym Generator!
One note before we move on, use acronyms sparingly. I remember getting my first full-time professor position and being overwhelmed with how everyone talked in acronyms … shaking my head!
So just choose one area of your business where you’re going to use an acronym … the major process or information that you want people to recognize.
The Acronym Generator is based on concept mapping or mind mapping.
The tool works in two ways. First, reverse engineering, where you start with the word you want to use. Below you’ll see how Acronym Generator started with NAME and then generated words beginning with each of the letters.
The second method is to use synonyms and start with descriptive words to produce an acronym. Begin with words that describe your target concept and see where it goes. Notice that the end product is the same: NAME … if you didn’t notice, it’s in the upper left corner of the image 🙂
Choice 1: Reverse Engineering
Once you finish and click GENERATE, the tool will begin providing acronyms. Even though the completion percentage is at a low percentage. Scroll down and you can start reading the acronyms that have been created.
As you can see above, I used this tool to generate words for THAT in my title: Create THAT Online Course. I want THAT to be memorable and to explain the system that I clients follow when they work with me to create their online courses.
- Teach – provide instruction that meets your learners
- Heart – meet the urgent need and pain point
- Act – provide a systematic approach
- Transform – empower and equip learners to move from where they are to where they want to be
The generator helped me expand my thinking and find new words that fit my word.
If you don’t have a word in mind, click on Show Options for the synonym finder.
Choice 2: Synonyms
Experiment with the choices in the two columns. They give you some interesting combinations of choices.
Recap & Invitation
You can use either method for creating an acronym. Play with this tool … it’s not perfect, but it can ramp up your brainstorming results.
Start with your word or start with words that describe your concept.
So I’m wondering … is THAT course calling you? Is it time to put your expertise out to as many tribe members as possible? Visit my website and see some of the ways that I can help you create and launch your course.
Sign up for the Digital Learning Zone Newsletter or set up a time for a complimentary strategy call and we’ll start working on your acronym!
