We all know that some business jargon phrases can be pretty annoying. From “low-hanging fruit” to “ideate”, these 12 business jargon phrases people love to hate are often overused and misused in the workplace. Whether you’re a manager, an employee, or a customer, it’s important to recognize when these phrases are being used and why they can be so frustrating.
In this blog, we’ll explore why these phrases can be so polarizing and offer some tips on how to avoid using them in the future.
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Business jargon
Business jargon is a collection of buzzwords and business terms used to communicate in the corporate world. Most of the time, people within the industry understand the meaning of these phrases but outsiders looking on from the outside often find them confusing and annoying.
Everyone loves to hate these 12 business jargon phrases that are routinely used in the corporate world. The first phrase is “think outside the box”. In this context, it’s referring to creatively developing solutions to a problem.
But to many people, it’s just a way of getting creative ideas without really putting in any hard work. The second phrase is “core competency”. This phrase is used to refer to something that a company does very well and that will give them a competitive advantage.
It involves determining what skills are essential for the company to remain successful in their industry. The third phrase is “drill down”.
This phrase is used when trying to find root causes of problems or seeking more information on a particular topic. Generally, this phrase means “dig into the issue” or “look deeper into the situation”. The fourth phrase is “touch base”.
Business jargon for this phrase is pretty straight forward. It means to meet up with someone or get in contact with that person.
It’s typically used when following up on an action plan or making sure someone is aware of something. The fifth phrase is “go to market strategy”. This one basically means a plan that is used to launch a product or service in a market. It includes a variety of activities such as advertising, public relations, product positioning, promotion, and pricing. The sixth phrase is “low-hanging fruit”. This phrase is used to describe an easy win or a task that will require minimal effort to reach a goal. A project manager might use this phrase to encourage the team to tackle an easy task before moving onto a more challenging one. The seventh phrase is “value-add”. This phrase is used to describe how a product or service has the capability to make something better, faster, or more efficient. Anything that provides an improved experience for customers or greater efficiency internally would be considered a value-add proposition. The eight phrase is “action item”. This phrase is used to describe something that needs to be done or an action that is required to complete a task. For example, a project manager may use this phrase to tell employees what their individual tasks are. The ninth phrase is “thought leader”. This one is used to describe an individual who is an expert in their industry and is often sought out for advice. This could be someone who is considered to have an innovative Point of view or has made significant contributions to the field. The tenth phrase is “right-size”. This one is typically used when a company is looking to restructure or downsize an existing process. This phrase is used to refer to changes and adjustments to a team or business unit that would improve their efficiency or productivity. The eleventh phrase is “know your customer”. This phrase is used when talking about customer experience and knowing who your target market is. Knowing your customers will help you understand their needs and develop the products and services that will meet those needs. The twelfth phrase is “paradigm shift”. This phrase is used to discuss a major change in the way a problem or idea is viewed or approached. It’s used to refer to a transition from one way of thinking to another, often due to new technology or other advancements. Business jargon may be seen as confusing and unnecessary, but it is a necessary part of the corporate world. It is helpful in getting ideas across more clearly, and it can also be used to get across more complicated concepts in a simpler way. With the right context and understanding, these 12 business jargon phrases can be quite helpful.
The 12 most hated business jargon phrases
It’s an unwritten rule that one should always practice brevity and simplicity when communicating in the office. That said, many of us can admit that modern business is bursting with jargon, buzzwords, and acronyms.
These phrases have become so pervasive in our day-to-day discourse that we’ve accepted them. But that doesn’t mean we don’t cringe each time we hear them. The 12 most hated business jargon phrases are “low-hanging fruit,” “take it to the next level,” “value added,” “move the needle,” “no-brainer,” “buy-in,” “back to the drawing board,” “corporate speak,” “walk it back,” “best practice,” “thinking outside the box,” and “bleeding edge.
”Whether these terms mean anything or simply exist to puff up resumes and cover letters, most of us can agree that they are annoying. “Low-hanging fruit,” for example, is used to denote tasks so simple that it doesn’t take much effort to complete them.
“Taking it to the next level” is an overused means of saying that the user should strive for more than just competent goals. “Value added” is the result of a product or service that goes beyond what’s expected of it. “Move the needle” is another term for improvement or advancement, while “no-brainer” is obviously an easy task.
None of these phrases mean much, but yet we use them every day in the office. Instead of relying on meaningless phrases, our conversations would be much more effective and meaningful if we stuck to simple, straightforward statements.
The phrase “best practice,” for example, could be replaced with “the most efficient course of action. ” Before using any of the 12 hated phrases in your own vocabulary, it’s recommended that you take a step back and assess whether or not your conversation wouldn’t benefit from simple, direct .
How to avoid using business jargon
Are you guilty of using business jargon phrases that sound good in the meeting room, but leave your colleagues thinking ‘what did he/she just say’? While jargon can be useful at times, it is likely that most of us can remember having uttered phrases that made us look good at the time, but were not understood by everyone in the room. Business jargon is the use of technical, often made up or unwieldy words to describe everyday tasks and ideas.
In fact, the use of business jargon has become so commonplace in many companies that it can be hard to avoid it at times. However, there are some phrases that do more harm than good, and it’s best to avoid using them if you want to sound professional.
Here are a few of the top 12 business jargon phrases people love to hate: “Let’s touch base” “Think outside the box”
“At the end of the day” “Take this offline”
“Synergy” “Run it up the flagpole” “Circle back”
“Drill down” “Move the needle”
“Utilize” 1 “KPI” 1 “Low-hanging fruit” In order to avoid using business jargon, you should strive to communicate in a concise way. First, be as clear and specific as possible. Rather than using jargon words or “flowery” , describe the problem or situation with accurate and leave out any unnecessary words or phrases. This will ensure that your message is understood by everyone in the room. Second, show empathy. When you understand the perspective of others, you can craft a message that is more likely to be heard. Use active listening techniques and be aware of potential cultural opportunities for misunderstanding. Finally, be open to questions. If you are clear and specific in your communication, your audience will better understand your message. If there are questions, be open to hearing them, and don’t be afraid to provide more information or clarification. This promotes better understanding and encourages collaboration. By avoiding the use of business jargon phrases such as those mentioned above and using simple instead, your message will be delivered in a more direct and understandable way. Making an effort to communicate more effectively and listen more attentively will make meetings more productive and enjoyable.
The benefits of not using business jargon
Business jargon is frustrating for many people, especially when it is used in an attempt to make a simple topic or idea sound more important and complex than it really is. There are several phrases that are commonly used in the business world, but are not often well understood or appreciated. The most annoying of these is likely the 12 business jargon phrases that people love to hate.
An irritating feature of business jargon is that in an effort to appear conversant and smart, its users often fail to explain the essence of what they are saying. Ultimately, this can be counterproductive, as the person trying to make a statement is actually making it more difficult to follow.
To avoid this, business conversations must be crafted in a concise, clear, and jargon-free manner that comes through as sincere and relatable. By opting to not use business jargon, conversations become easier to understand, leaving them clear and concise. This allows everyone in the discussion to concentrate on the main points being made instead of spending time deciphering what is being said.
This can help foster collaboration, as everyone is able to understand each other, and it can actually help build better relationships at work. In the end, skipping the jargon can help people convey their messages effectively and efficiently.
This in turn can lead to more timely decisions, a better understanding of processes, and improved communication. It also allows teams the opportunity to focus on their work and make the most out of their day.
In short, the benefits of not using business jargon are well worth any dangers it may present.
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Bottom Line
This article discussed 12 business jargon phrases that people love to hate. These phrases are often used in corporate settings, but are often seen as overused and annoying. The article provided examples of each phrase and discussed why they are disliked.
It concluded that, while these phrases are often necessary for communication in the business world, they should be used sparingly to avoid sounding cliche.
FAQ
What is the definition of ‘blue-sky thinking’?
Blue-sky thinking is a creative problem-solving approach that encourages people to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems. It involves looking at a problem from a different perspective and considering all possible solutions, no matter how far-fetched they may seem.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘low-hanging fruit’?
The origin of the phrase “low-hanging fruit” is believed to have come from the agricultural practice of harvesting fruit from trees that are easily accessible. It is used to refer to tasks or opportunities that are easily achievable and require minimal effort.
What is the meaning of ‘boil the ocean’?
The phrase “boil the ocean” is an idiom that means to attempt something that is impossible or overly ambitious.
What is the purpose of ‘drinking the Kool-Aid’?
The phrase “drinking the Kool-Aid” is used to describe a situation in which someone blindly follows a leader or idea without question. It is used to suggest that someone is so devoted to a cause or belief that they are willing to accept anything without question.
What is the significance of ‘thinking outside the box’?
Thinking outside the box is a metaphor for thinking in a creative and innovative way, often to solve a problem or find a solution that is not immediately obvious. It encourages people to look at a situation from different perspectives and to come up with unique ideas and solutions.
What is the implication of ‘pushing the envelope’?
Pushing the envelope means to go beyond the accepted limits or boundaries of something. It is often used to refer to taking risks or pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
