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“Firm” Alternatives

July 1, 2008 by Andy Brudtkuhl  - Leave A Comment

I am looking for an alternative to the word “firm” in description of my business. When people asks what my company does, I am forced to say “we are a web strategy and consulting firm”. I hate the connotations associated with the term “firm” in reference to my company. When I think of “firm”, I think…

  • sounds stuffy and too old school – “law firm”, “marketing firm”, “brokerage firm”, “design firm” – we are new school
  • sounds expensive – we have a la carte
  • sounds bureaucratic – we are agile
  • sounds “corporationy” – we are anti-corporation
  • sounds big - we are small, for a reason
  • sounds fluffy – we are pragmatic
  • sounds preachy - we don’t preach, we teach

What are your ideas for an alternative to the term “firm”. What do you use to describe your company? Are we stupid for thinking this? Let us know in the comments…

100 Total TweetBacks: (Tweet this post)
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  • en: Either these kids are the coolest kids at their school or they'll end up shooting everyone in a columbine style massacre http://is.gd/1mvZ6 07/03/09 05:20pm
  • en: going to spend the next hour or so cleaning the bathroom 07/03/09 05:20pm
  • en: @kimmielalala Yeah maybe she got two vaginas or something. 07/03/09 05:20pm
  • en: @freddie515 That's not possible unless you cheat or use a different Electivire (which isn't allowed). 07/03/09 05:20pm
  • en: Just had a cup of tea. Did nothing to calm the nerves. Must pop to the loo or I will wet myself. Wimbledon is so stressful. 07/03/09 05:20pm
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  • en: @mrsgoose I like oriental or chicken and I make it w/ almost no water. I also add hot pepper flakes 07/02/09 03:26pm
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Filed Under: Business
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  • since you "guide" and "create" web/interactive solutions, why don't you use "Mentor" or "Facilitator"

    e.g. - we're Web Solutions Facilitators; or We mentor our clients to effective web and interactive solutions...

    Just ideas.

    Andrew
  • I like faciliator, but that doesn't roll off the tongue very well.
  • Kathy Landin
    Enterprise?
  • @Kathy - eew Enterprise
  • Kenneth Younger
    How about a Collective?
  • Collective - Not bad. Sounds a tad socialist :) but I like the connotations.
  • Kenneth Younger
    Yeah, I almost hesitated saying that - my libertarian side did not prevail though.

    Is Consultancy a word?
  • Kenneth Younger
    It is. I like it.
  • BornLiar
    how about \"gurus\" or just \"group\"?
  • i like group, consultancy, and gurus.... leaning towards guru, being that my title is "chief web guru"....
  • I talk about Dosovo as being a marketing and web strategy consultancy, mostly because it clearly illustrates the consultative approach.

    I actually don't mind firm myself, but I see where you're coming from.
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