Jargon
We've all overheard conversations from people sitting behind us on a plane, in the next cubicle over, or in the cafeteria at work. Ever wonder what in the world they were talking about, and wonder further if their colleague knew what they were talking about?
With more tasks on your plate, less time to get things done, and the need balance it all, don't let your communication create more work for you and others.
Which of these examples most clearly delivers the meaning it is intended to convey? Click on your answer.
a. Let's skype to do a fast SWOT on the Jones RFP. Do you think PMC would want to link in for the CRM portion? I already pinged Mary about it.
b. John's dialed in his wish list for the building project, and I suspect that some of his ideas are Rube Goldberg. I hope Sue recognizes that we'll be boiling the ocean if we do it his way.
c. Did you see the report they published last week? I think we need to circle about it; there are a lot of actionable stats we need to discuss. If we don't change our tactics going forward, we'll have problems when we go live.
d. Kim, I'd like to get together later to discuss those suggestions you sent me. There were some really good ones in there that I think we can use right away. Would you be available close to the end of the day, maybe around 4?
When I prepared this quiz, I laughed at several business and personal examples of jargon that came to mind where I do this! When we choose our words, we are typically motivated by efficiency and clarity. Often, though, we get more of one at the expense of the other. For example, we get more efficiency at the expense of clarity when we make heavy use of jargon.
On its own, there is nothing wrong with jargon; it is a natural outcome when people with a common interest and goal spend time together. We instinctively create our own vocabulary in these situations to streamline spoken communication. In that context, jargon is useful.
Jargon, though, has become overused and abused. In the business world, the "MBA-Speak" lexicon is littered with phrases that are neither clear nor efficient.
We certainly all know people who use jargon as a sort of insider's code, like a secret handshake in a neighborhood kids' club. Some may think that jargon makes them sound like a knowledgeable insider, but it often has the opposite effect.
With that in mind, consider whether your spoken communication could use an injection of plain English. If you rely less on jargon, you will likely be perceived as more approachable and well-spoken.
BONUS: Translations
a. Let's skype to do a fast SWOT on the Jones RFP. Do you think PMC would want to link in for the CRM portion? I already pinged Mary about it.
Translation: Let's talk, or talk with video conference via skype to do a fast SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) on the Jones request for proposal. Do you think Pete McCarthy would like to join the call for the customer relationship portion? I already emailed Mary about it.
b. John's dialed in his wish list for the building project, and I suspect that some of his ideas are Rube Goldberg. I hope Sue recognizes that we'll be boiling the ocean if we do it his way.
Translation: John has included his wish list for the building project, and I suspect some of his ideas are overly complicated (or, trying to accomplish simple things in a complicated way). I hope Sue recognizes how inefficient his way is.
c. Did you see the report they published last week? I think we need to circle about it; there are a lot of actionable stats we need to discuss. If we don't change our tactics going forward, we'll have problems when we go live.
Translation: Did you see the report they published last week? I think we need to meet to discuss this; there are a lot of things in the report that we can act on. If we don't change our plan of action, we'll have problems when we start selling the product.
