Intro
Remember those cheeky business comics I’ve been sharing? Well, they needed a name. And how better to name them than with… another comic? 🎪
Meet Cirque du Biz – our Circus of Business! Inspired by the drama of Cirque du Soleil and the wit of Dilbert, we’re serving up a satirical spotlight on the corporate world. Dive into today’s comic and see how we landed on that zany title. Welcome to the show! 😄
The Comic for the Comic Series
Context
In the heart of the IT jungle, the boss, donning his flamboyant Tuesday wig, rallied his team. “Folks, we’re more than code! Let’s brew a tagline with some zest!” Cue a room ready for a whirlwind of witticisms.
Meet the Characters
Wiggs – The Wig-Wearing Don (Boss) of the Company!
Buzzo – The Blabbering Sales Dynamo!
Waggz – The epitome of the “Yes Boss” mantra!
Chirpii – The HR Songbird of Mentorship & Discipline!
Diggz – The witty sidekick of the Boss!
The Cartoon
<< From “Cirque du Biz”, A sridvana’s Comic Strip Conceived in 2015 >> — Excuse me for the PPT visuals! I once dreamt of jazzing it up with a cartoonist’s flair and a dose of humorous dialogues. But here they are, shared in their untouched charm for your blog-reading pleasure!”
Wigss, Serious: Can you guys fix a new punchy tagline for our company?
Buzzo, Enthusiastic: “We pitch often, listen seldom!”Waggz, Sighing: “We build software that works, at times!”
Wigss, Confident: “Yeah, my man!”Chirpii, Helpfully: “We help people earn, somewhat!”
Wiggs, Sarcastic: “Ppssh, obvious!”Diggz, Wittily: “We are in the “Cirque du Business”.
Wigss, Confused: “Wwwhhhat?
Cirque du Biz (Circus of the Business)
Dusted off from years ago, some of these comics might echo past vibes, yet they still resonate. While nostalgia is golden, stay tuned for fresh takes on today’s business quirks. The circus of business is ever-evolving, and so is our satirical lens!
Characters
Wigss – The Wig-Wearing Don (Boss) of the Company!
In board meetings, pay-rise days, client meetings, or evening get-togethers, Wigss has a unique wig for every occasion. Steering the company like a Don, he extracts the best from everyone. And amidst all this, he’s ever ready to personally help his crew out.
Waggz – The epitome of the “Yes Boss” mantra!
While Waggz is a touch on the gullible side, there’s no questioning his dedication. He’s the one always nodding in agreement, fervently wagging away at every directive. Secretly, he wishes he had the wit of Diggz, but for now, he’s content being the loyal sidekick, even if it means occasionally getting lost in the shuffle
Diggz – The witty sidekick of the Boss!
Diggz is all about those zesty one-liners. He secretly dreams of swapping places with Wigss, but hey, not everyone can rock those wigs. With a knack for sharp jabs that shake up the old ways, Diggz is the spice in every corporate meeting!
XYise – Questions and Graphs, Written All Over His Face!
Introducing XYise, the guy with a face that’s graph-tastically alive! He’s the number-crunching maestro, speaking dimensions, models, and fancy analytics jargon like it’s his second language (because, well, it kinda is). And guess what? He’s your money-saving superhero, ready to rescue your finances with a cape that’s just a bit too short for dramatic effect!
Chirpii – The HR Songbird of Mentorship & Discipline!
Beneath Chirpii’s soothing lullabies of mentorship lies a fierce protector of the company. Sweet in her counsel but with a hidden beastly side, she ensures harmony reigns supreme. Cross a line, and she’ll transition from gentle chirps to roaring notes. Don’t be fooled, when it comes to company’s interests, she’s the songbird you don’t want to mess with!
Buzzo, The Blabbering Sales Dynamo!
Meet Buzzo, our Sales Guy extraordinaire! Like a buzzing bee, he’s always on the move, generating leads with his non-stop chatter. While he may not have all the qualifications of a seasoned pro, Buzzo’s enthusiasm and talkative nature make him a memorable character in our corporate circus.
Guru BOT – Old Wisdom, New Circuitry!
Imagine this: he’s a robot with the face of the advisor on the wall! Guru BOT is part wise old-timer, part futuristic tech guru. He’s Wigss’ quirky best friend and advisor, and he’s got a switch – “Say with heart” or “Say with head” – that lets him switch between emotional and logical, sometimes in hilarious ways!
Breezey – The Jet-Setting Salesy Captain CEO of the Ship!
Always on the move, Breezey rarely settles at the office. Convinced a CEO’s true role is in sales, he often clashes with the Sales Head. While his attention might be fleeting, his knack for sealing deals is legendary. Occasionally, he breezes in with jargon-filled wisdom, leaving the team scratching their heads!
(Will introduce a few more female and male characters donning Scientist, Techie, Strategy, Marketing etc. roles, as I progress)
Contrarian Views
While many people enjoy and appreciate humor in business settings through comics and jokes, there are several contrarian views on the matter:
- Unprofessional Image: Some believe that using humor, especially satire, in a business context can undermine the professional image of an organization or individual. They argue that it may make stakeholders, clients, or employees question the seriousness with which business matters are taken.
- Misinterpretation Risk: Humor, especially satire and sarcasm, is subjective. What’s funny to one person might be offensive or confusing to another. There’s always a risk that the message will be misinterpreted, leading to misunderstandings or even conflicts.
- Distraction from Core Issues: Critics may argue that humor can sometimes serve as a distraction from more pressing business concerns. Instead of addressing real issues head-on, humor can be seen as a way of glossing over or avoiding them.
- Cultural Sensitivities: In our globalized world, businesses often have stakeholders from various cultural backgrounds. What’s humorous in one culture might be deemed inappropriate or even disrespectful in another.
- Overuse Diminishes Impact: If humor is overused, it can lose its impact. It might start to feel forced or inauthentic, and stakeholders may begin to ignore the intended message altogether.
- Not Everyone Relates: Not everyone has the same sense of humor. While some might find business jokes relatable and hilarious, others may feel left out or that the humor doesn’t resonate with their personal experiences.
- Potential for Misuse: There’s a thin line between humor that highlights issues in a constructive manner and humor that belittles or makes fun of individuals or groups. Critics worry about the potential for misuse or the propagation of harmful stereotypes.
It’s important to remember that while humor can be a powerful tool for communication and engagement, it’s not always the right tool for every situation or audience. It requires careful consideration of context, audience, and intent.
MidJourney Prompt with inputs from ChatGPT
Generate an image that captures the essence of Cirque du Soleil within the corporate world of ‘Cirque du Business,’ a satirical cartoon series. Imagine an imaginative office environment where employees engage in a wide array of acts and performances reminiscent of the diversity seen in Cirque du Soleil. Picture tightrope walkers navigating the delicate balance of office politics, employees juggling an assortment of tasks and responsibilities, and acrobats gracefully maneuvering through the corporate hierarchy. The boss, resembling a charismatic ringmaster, orchestrates this corporate circus with flair, while the mundane office setting is transformed into a mesmerizing big top, complete with colorful lights and a circus tent atmosphere. Ensure that the characters maintain a conventional appearance, avoiding any unusual extra limbs. The tone should be both humorous and thought-provoking, capturing the quirks and absurdities of professional life through the lens of a whimsical circus. –ar 16:9
Listening and Patterns 