The business world, with its complex strategies and endless jargon, can often seem overwhelming and daunting. But what if there was a way to simplify and demystify it all, even make it fun? Enter the 'Business Coloring Book' meme, a genius mashup of adult coloring books and corporate lingo that's taken the internet by storm. Let's dive into this fascinating phenomenon.

At its core, the Business Coloring Book meme is a humorous commentary on the intricacies of business speak. It pedestrianizes complex strategies, breaking them down into simple, childlike language and accompanying illustrations that can make even the most seasoned CEO crack a smile.

The Origin and Rise of the Meme
Like many internet sensations, the exact origins of the Business Coloring Book meme are unclear. It's believed to have started on Tumblr, with users creating and sharing their own pages, often riffing on popular business books, like 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People', or inventing their own 'Business Classic' titles with hilarious results.

Thanks to its relatable and, dare we say, 'adult-babyish' humor, the meme quickly spread across social media platforms. It's not uncommon to see variations of the meme in company office spaces, on LinkedIn, or even in real-life conference materials.
The Anatomy of a Business Coloring Book Meme

The structure of a Business Coloring Book meme is as much a part of its humor as the content itself. It typically consists of three main elements: the 'title', the 'objective', and the 'steps'. The title is usually a serious-sounding business book title, often parodying real books, while the objective and steps are the clichéd business outcomes and tactics, rendered in banal simplicity.
Take, for example, a meme titled 'The 5 Disciplines of the Learning Organization'. The objective might be something like 'Learn stuff and never forget stuff'. The steps? 'Step 1: Learn stuff. Step 2: Remember stuff. Step 3: Not forget stuff. Step 4: Repeat. Step 5: Interview other people who learned stuff and did not forget it.'
Why It's More Than Just a Laugh

While the humor in these memes lies in their absurdity, they also highlight a truth about corporate culture. They parody the sometimes convoluted and jargon-laden language that's often used to describe straightforward processes. It's a gentle reminder that honesty and clarity are often the best policies.
Moreover, the Business Coloring Book meme has sparked conversations about accessibility and inclusivity in business. If the same strategies and ideas can be broken down into such simple terms, we should strive to make our business communications more accessible, jargon-free, and inclusive.
The Evolution of the Meme

Since its inception, the Business Coloring Book meme has evolved. Now, you'll find variations of the format applied to other areas, like tech (hello, 'The 12 Factors of Microservices'), pop culture, and even current events. There are even accounts dedicated to creating and sharing these memes.
And, of course, being the internet, there are now 'generator' tools where users can create and customize their own Business Coloring Book memes, adding to the ever-growing library of these witty and insightful riffs.









Business Coloring Books IRL
Believe it or not, the Business Coloring Book meme has made its way into the real world. There are actually physical coloring books, like 'The Aviation Leadership Coloring Book: AParentheticalGuideToMakingComplexDecisionsAt35000Feet', which uses similar humor and structure to teach leadership skills.
The meme has also inspired real-world applications, like 'Business Book Club' events where participants discuss business books, guided by the meme's format. It's a testament to how even the most jargon-laden fields can be made accessible and fun.
So, the next time you find yourself bogged down by corporate speak, crack open a Business Coloring Book (meme or physical), and remember, at its heart, business is about people, not platelets of jargon. And hey, sometimes, a little laughter goes a long way in making the workday a bit brighter.