Business Jargon: What It Is and How to Avoid It
Business jargon is a set of words and phrases that are used in the business world but may not be understood people outside of it. It can be helpful for communicating with colleagues and clients who are familiar with the jargon, but it can also be confusing and off-putting to those who are not.
Here are some examples of business jargon:
- “Circle back”
- “Drill down”
- “Low-hanging fruit”
- “Moving the goalposts”
- “Out of the box”
- “Synergy”
- “Thought shower”
- “Touch base”
- “Value add”
- “Waterfall”
- “Whiteboard”
These terms can be difficult to understand for people who are not familiar with them, and they can also make your writing or speech sound vague and corporate.
If you want to avoid using business jargon, here are a few tips:
- Use plain language that is easy to understand.
- Avoid acronyms and abbreviations unless you are sure that your audience will understand them.
- Be specific and avoid using vague terms like “going forward” or “touch base.”
- Use active voice instead of passive voice.
- Proofread your work carefully to make sure that you have not used any jargon.
By following these tips, you can avoid using business jargon and communicate more effectively with your audience.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about business jargon:
- It can be used to make yourself sound more important or knowledgeable.
- It can be used to avoid saying anything concrete.
- It can be used to create a sense of urgency or excitement.
- It can be used to hide the fact that you do not know what you are talking about.
If you are not sure whether or not a word or phrase is considered business jargon, it is always best to err on the side of caution and use plain language instead.
