An acronym or shortened name makes whatever you’re doing sound more important.  If you tell your boss you’re going to D.S.O.P – “Good work Johnson.  Keep it up.”  If you tell your boss you’re going to “Do Shots of Patron,”  you probably won’t get the same pat on the back from HR.  I say to you, HR or should I call you…HUMAN RESOURCES . Sometimes my resource is tequila and I think you want me to forget what HR stands for!  Dammit HR!

There are plenty of examples of acronyms and shortened names that work well for brands.  Saab is a great example – in 1937 the Swedish automaker’s name was Venska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget which is a mouthful if you’re not from Sweden.  SAAB – much better.  In 1991, Kentucky Fried Chicken made the transition to KFC to get rid of “Fried” and all that guilt from their brand.  And its not because of the urban myth that they got rid of “chicken” because  they have genetically engineered an animal with 6 drumsticks for legs.  The Chickenpillar.  Sheesh – that is just ridiculous.   Although they HAVE made chickens that poop popcorn chicken.  Finally, on a rare but welcomed occasion,  pop culture decides to shorten your brand name for you – such as the trendy PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon), whose rise to popularity is MGD’s (Miller Genuine Draft) wet dream.

But, many B2B companies assume that the acronym that is popular internally will be effective in branding to prospective customers.  Sometimes, year’s worth of brand equity can be lost due to internal brand boredom or because an acronym looks cool on the company softball shirt.

When can you get safely away with an acronym? If you’re massive, like GE. Or if you’ve dated Ben Affleck.

Which is why I’d like to announce today that I’m changing my name to General Electric Lopez.   My shortened nickname will be the most powerful name of all time.  GE-Lo.  (Hey, Ben – call me.  Muah!)

So the reason for this Blog post is that we’re here in Houston at a hotel and meeting right next to a group that should have never made acronmymized their name.  This is Josh and I enjoying the scene in front of the "TRD Meeting."  We’d like to thank the TRD group for playing right into our 13 year old senses of humor.  Insert your own TRD meeting comments.