Straw Man

[Prudie]

In a work situation what do you understand by a 'straw man' and do you know the origin of the phrase, is it new speak?

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I see a straw man as a distraction from the main point. An irrelevance to detract from what's really meant.
I've seen it used in arguments as a tactic, and at work as a cover for underhand management.
I've known it a long time but I don't know its origin I'm' afraid.

[Prudie]

Thanks mo-jo but that is completely different to my poor understanding so that's got me more confused! I thought it was something like a 'first stab' at something?

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Here's the wiki link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man

[Prudie]

Thanks, I've looked it up and you are right. However I find what I was really after is a 'straw man proposal' which is different and what I've been asked to do!

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Oooo I don't know about that one I'm afraid.
Good luck though.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Here's the Wiki for that. :)
http://en.wikipedia.o...ki/Straw_man_proposal

[EcclesCake]

In my experience a strawman is an outline idea that you pick apart until you have the bare bones that you can then develop in to a solid, reasoned proposition.

[Barmaid]

Not quite the same, but a "man of straw" is one with no money! (Ie one not worth suing).

[Prudie]

http://en.wikipedia.o...ki/Straw_man_proposal
Seems a straw man and a straw man proposal can both be called an Aunt Sally although completely different and yes BM seems the phrase in Law is something else yet again.

[factor-fiction]

It was a common phrase 10 years ago, prudie, when I was involved in management consultancy work. Whether the term was used correctly I'm not sure but it a 'straw man proposal' was taken to be an outline idea to be explored or pulled part if appropriate.
I don't miss all the jargon of getting all my ducks in a row, running an idea up the flagpole to see if any one salutes it, long-grassing ideas or at least putting them on the back burner, etc etc

[EcclesCake]

You should try some blue sky thinking outside of the box Factor...... ;-)

[Prudie]

LOL you should factor. I often spend my days fighting off the nearest crocodile to the canoe until close of play.

[factor-fiction]

Yes, fortunately I'd forgotten those. There was also 'doing nothing isn't an option'- it was used to justify every change. We also had to re-engineer or transform processes- we couldn't just change them. I'm sure lots more will come back to me later tonight.

[ludwig]

I work in farming, so to me a straw man in a work situation is a type of pest deterrent.

[EcclesCake]

I recommend that if they do come back to you Factor, you ignore that elephant in the corner!

[factor-fiction]

At the end of the day I did too- just make sure you're not so busy fighting off crocodiles that you forget to drain the swamp. And always go for the low hanging fruit first. Ans why is there an elephant in the room. Can you give me a heads up on that?

[factor-fiction]

^ that was in response to Prudie.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

We'll bump brains for a pro life tip on that going forward Factor.

[factor-fiction]

I agree on the going forwards, but I don't know what the "bump brains for a pro life tip" is all about. Do people still stay 'thought showers' instead of 'brain storming'?

[EcclesCake]

I wish I had my bull$h!t bingo game card to hand......