Guide 129 / 200 4 alternatives 2-minute read
Better ways to say “Disrupt”
A Clayton Christensen term, now a deck slide.
i · Why avoid itTwo lines, no filler
"Disrupt" had a technical meaning in innovation theory. In decks it means "change something big." Say what you mean: "replace," "transform," "upend," "change the economics of."
ii · Before & afterDrop-in demo
Before
We are disrupting the insurance industry.
After
We cut the cost of underwriting small-business policies by 60%.
iii · The alternatives4 ways out
- 01Transform neutral
reshape at scale
Transform underwriting.
- 02Upend neutral
invert the way things work
Upend the pricing model.
- 03Replace neutral
substitute an old model
Replace legacy underwriting systems.
- 04Reinvent neutral
rebuild from scratch
Reinvent small-business insurance.
iv · Brew tipKeep this one
If you use "disrupt," pair it with a concrete change in cost, time, or access.