Overused Puzzle-Piece Stock Image Officially Banned For Good

By David Wilson

In what can only be described as a devastating blow to the business world, The National Business Review officially announced that the use of any stock image using what they refer to as a ‘puzzle piece metaphor’ must be immediately removed from corporate communication. The list includes corporate websites, company information kits, and any and all information.

Los Angeles based digital web company, Enterprise Connex, which places college graduates in the workplace felt the impact. “All of our corporate communication is now obsolete,” says John Manheim, C.O.O. “We always felt that we were THE company… The missing piece. There is no other image that can convey this.” Many others felt the same as evidenced by the uproar at Los Angeles City Hall. Thousands of business entrepreneurs large and small gathered in a rally against the ban of this metaphor as they collectively demanded that they maintain their uniqueness, shouting, “My business is unique! I am the missing piece!”

While the county mayor had no comment the National Business Review released a statement stating ‘people are sick and tired of seeing that damn missing puzzle piece’. The statement then went on to explain that when so many people use these puzzle piece stock images it ‘clogs the visual memory bank making them less impactful and downright lame. Let’s consider the missing piece found and the puzzle complete.’

 Apparently, The National Business Review is currently reviewing a ban on people saying the phrase ‘we think outside the box’ given that it’s not that out of the box to say anymore.