In the corporate world, a silent and insidious problem exists – jargon. โ ๏ธ
It’s a language filled with fancy words and complex phrases that confuse and disengage people during meetings.
Some common symptoms of “jargon monoxide” exposure include:-
๐ Eyes glazing over during presentations
๐ตโ๐ซ Sudden confusion about the meaning of words being used
๐ต An irresistible urge to play “buzzword bingo”
For example, a manager once tried to “leverage” and “synergise” to “facilitate a paradigm shift.” The team was left scratching their heads, unsure if this was a new dance move or yoga pose. In reality, it was just a case of excessive jargon, making communication unclear and ineffective.
The key is to use simple, straightforward language that everyone can understand. Avoid complex terminology and aim for a conversational tone. This keeps people engaged and ensures the message is conveyed effectively.
Letโs review a couple of examples and possible cures.
๐ฉ๏ธ The Outbreak of Disruptive Innovation โก
Things got out of hand when the marketing team caught the ‘disruptive innovation’ bug. Every idea was ‘disruptive,’ and every plan was ‘innovative.’ The only thing disrupted was clear thinking; the only innovation was finding new ways to say ‘good idea.’
๐ The Epidemic of Low-Hanging Fruit ๐
The sales team was next, seemingly obsessed with ‘low-hanging fruit.’ Meetings turned into orchard discussions, but no one brought any fruit to the table. The only thing low-hanging was the team’s patience.
Treatment and Prevention:
- ๐ Open a window. Fresh air helps.
- ๐ซ Introduce a ‘jargon jar.’ Offenders contribute to the coffee fund.
- ๐ฃ๏ธ Use plain language. It’s refreshing and, surprisingly, more efficient.
- ๐จ Communicate plainly and clearly. Straightforward speech is surprisingly refreshing and efficient.
Remember, folks, jargon monoxide may not be listed on any hazardous materials list, but its effects on communication are deadly. Keep it simple and clear, and save the jargon for Scrabble night. ๐ก
Steve Towers, an expert in customer experience, enjoys spreading his enthusiasm for this field through coaching, keynote speeches, books, and social media content.
He helps companies win the triple crown – the simultaneous ability to increase revenues, decrease costs, and enhance service – through the CEMMethod, which is now in version 15.
With over three decades of experience working with large enterprises worldwide, Steve has distilled the successful strategies of top-performing organizations into a proprietary methodology that can be easily imparted to CX teams and executives.
His forte lies in envisioning the future of customer-centricity, customer experience, process management and realizing long-term benefits from business transformation. Steve’s approach combines customer-focused thinking, cutting-edge technologies, and a human touch.
Steve is also an entrepreneur and an early-stage investor in software companies like Parallel.
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