Business meetings and conference calls are usually boring.The answer to this problem can be found in Bullshit Bingo, a classic office game that was created in 1993.Adding a team of trusted coworkers to quietly play Bullshit Bingo can add a lot of secret fun and humor to an otherwise mundane event.Pick a variety of tired industry cliches and face off with your friends to see who will drink for free at Happy Hour.
Step 1: Bullshit Bingo can be played with one or more friends.
You should be looking for coworkers with a sense of humor who are also annoyed at having to waste time in a meeting or on a call with you.It's probably a bad idea to try to get the office snitch to play.
Step 2: Make a list of industry cliches.
There is equity.Buy-in.There is engagement.Accountability.Team-culture.The future is forward- thinking.Pick words or phrases that will come up in the meeting.The phrases that make you want to roll your eyes are the ones that come up so often.Creating your own buzzwords is more fun than creating automatically generated lists on websites that allow for mobile and tablet play.You will have to decide if you and your opponents will be sharing a common phrase bank or individual ones.Common phrases that your opponents won't think of are valuable if you use your own phrase bank.You want to have a few unique phrases that will make you stand out from the crowd.
Step 3: Decide which version of Bullshit Bingo you will play.
Bullshit Bingo requires a 3x3, 4x4, or 5x5 grid of words.The list of words and phrases that need to be matched in order to win is what Simplified Bullshit Bingo requires.If anyone in your game can't come up with enough words to fill the grid, you can add "Wild" spots to it.Some players choose where on their grid they want them to be listed, but others share a pool of cliches.The skill aspect of the game is eliminated by shared words.
Step 4: Decide if you want to play bingo.
While saying "Bullshit" or "Bingo" would be a clear declaration of victory, either word might be frowned upon during a conference call or meeting.The winner will need to say a funny double-entendre or inside joke in order to declare victory.One option is to include all of the winning cliches in the winner's speech.It can require a lot of creativity.
Step 5: Decide on a prize.
The refreshing taste of your favorite beverage is what makes victory sweeter.Happy Hour drinks for the winner are often a great prize, but lunch in the office or cafeteria exemptions from coffee run duty are also good.Pick a prize that works for you and your friends.
Step 6: The meeting or conference call should start.
With your list or grid created, you and your fellow players can begin their meeting without a sense of dread and boredom.It is possible that you will want to send each other pictures of your grids.
Step 7: Listen for what you say.
If you have "TPS Reports" as one of your phrases, your boss will remind everyone that a cover page is required for their reports.As cliches come up, cross off or check the grid.
Step 8: Race to bingo.
Your meeting has become a game and you are racing against your friends.If you have created a good list and have had your cliches called, you will be on your way to victory.
Step 9: Declare bingo!
Or something like that.You have a pre-arranged phrase.Be sure to declare yourself the winner as soon as possible.Your fellow players are waiting for the right time to speak.Don't allow anyone else to steal your glory, you can all enjoy subverting an otherwise mundane meeting with a little secret fun.