“Firm” Alternatives

by Andy Brudtkuhl on July 1, 2008

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…

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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

Andrew B. Clark July 1, 2008 at 7:54 am

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

Reply

Andy Brudtkuhl July 1, 2008 at 9:22 am

I like faciliator, but that doesn’t roll off the tongue very well.

Reply

Kathy Landin July 1, 2008 at 9:29 am

Enterprise?

Reply

Andy Brudtkuhl July 1, 2008 at 9:39 am

@Kathy – eew Enterprise

Reply

Kenneth Younger July 1, 2008 at 9:50 am

How about a Collective?

Reply

Andy Brudtkuhl July 1, 2008 at 10:07 am

Collective – Not bad. Sounds a tad socialist :) but I like the connotations.

Reply

Kenneth Younger July 1, 2008 at 1:11 pm

Yeah, I almost hesitated saying that – my libertarian side did not prevail though.

Is Consultancy a word?

Reply

Kenneth Younger July 1, 2008 at 1:12 pm

It is. I like it.

Reply

BornLiar July 2, 2008 at 9:38 am

how about \"gurus\" or just \"group\"?

Reply

Andy Brudtkuhl July 2, 2008 at 9:47 am

i like group, consultancy, and gurus…. leaning towards guru, being that my title is “chief web guru”….

Reply

Mike Templeton August 7, 2008 at 1:58 am

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.

Reply

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