"You sound stupid" — Shark Tank star Mark Cuban shares a business buzzword that annoys him

Mark Cuban, the renowned entrepreneur, and Shark Tank investor, recently opened up in a YouTube video for Wired, released on October 25, 2024. Cuban answered a fan's question about annoying business buzzwords. Highlighting the word “cohort,” Cuban said,

“There’s no reason to ever use the word cohort when you can use the word 'group'. A cohort is a group of people. Say group, you sound stupid when you use the word cohort because you’re trying to sound smart.”

The video, titled Mark Cuban Answers Business Questions From Twitter, showcased Cuban’s unfiltered take on the business world. Known for his straightforward style, Cuban emphasized his preference for simplicity in language.

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Who is Mark Cuban from Shark Tank?

The Shark Tank star, Mark Cuban, is a TV personality, a billionaire, and an investor with a diverse portfolio. Born in Pittsburgh, Cuban’s entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 12 when he sold garbage bags door-to-door.

After graduating from Indiana University in 1981, he moved to Dallas, where he founded MicroSolutions, a computer consulting company that he later sold to CompuServe for $6 million. Cuban’s big break came in 1995 when he co-founded AudioNet, later rebranded as Broadcast.com.

Yahoo! acquired the streaming platform in 1999 for a staggering $5.7 billion during the dot-com boom. This sale catapulted Cuban to billionaire status. Reflecting on this milestone, he said on the podcast hosted by Jules Terpak on December 17, 2024,

“I remember I was like sitting…refresh, refresh, till I hit it. And I just started jumping up and down dancing.”

In addition to his business ventures and Shark Tank appearances, Cuban owns the Dallas Mavericks NBA team, which he purchased in 2000. Under his leadership, the team became a powerhouse, winning the NBA championship in 2011.

Cuban’s influence also extends to entertainment, where he has been an executive producer for Academy Award-nominated films and a competitor on Dancing with the Stars. Cuban is also a philanthropist and author, known for his book How to Win at the Sport of Business: If I Can Do It, You Can Do It.

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Financial tips from Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban’s financial philosophy is rooted in practicality and long-term stability, a mindset shaped by his upbringing and early experiences. Cuban has shared some insights that guided his path to success:

1) Live like a student

Cuban emphasizes frugality and smart spending, even when wealth begins to accumulate. He recalled in the podcast hosted by Jules Terpak,

“After earning $2 million from MicroSolutions, I literally remember calling up my broker and saying, I want you to invest for me like a 60-year-old.”

He avoided luxury purchases and instead focused on saving aggressively.

2) Focus on simplicity

Cuban advises against overcomplicating financial decisions. For example, he avoided luxury cars and opted for "the worst house in the best neighborhood," prioritizing value over vanity.

3) Be patient in negotiations

The Shark Tank star believes patience is critical when striking deals and one can't win if they are the loudest in the room. In an interview with CNBC Make it on October 31, he said,

“One: They’re patient because they know what they’re trying to accomplish. Two: They don’t try to win every deal point. It’s OK to give something in order to get the deal done.”

4) Adaptability is key

Speaking to CNBC Make It, Cuban highlighted the importance of agility, curiosity, and adaptability in navigating a rapidly evolving job market. He admitted that he has no idea where AI is going.

“But I do know that I am going to pay attention, and be agile, and be curious,” he said.

5) Turn trends into hustles

Cuban credits his wealth to leveraging emerging trends, from personal computers in the 1980s to audio streaming in the 1990s. If starting today, he’d focus on AI, teaching businesses to utilize tools like ChatGPT.

“Doesn’t matter if I’m 16... I’d be teaching [businesses] as well,” he said in the CNBC interview.

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New episodes of Shark Tank, where Cuban stars as one of the primary investors or 'sharks,' air Friday nights at 8/7c on ABC.