Have you noticed that certain industries have their own jargon, which they use but do not appreciate that we haven’t a clue what they are talking about?

That’s all probably fine when you are talking with your peers. After all you talk the same language, but if you are presenting to “outsiders” or folks that are new to a profession, unless you spell it out simply, you will lose them.

And that goes for potential customers and funders too. I know when I worked in government we had all these acronyms, which probably made sense to us, but just added to the confusion when talking to anyone else.

If you are new to a company too, you don’t like to keep asking what it all stands for. It’s like you need a glossary or dictionary so you can cheat and nod at the right moments and act like you understand, until you have learnt it all.

And then there’s the English language. When I came here from the UK, there were times when I would come out with an expression to meet blank faces. Little things like “drawing pins.” What??? You may be asking. Here you call them thumb tacks. We may think we talk the same language, but sometimes we don’t. Sometimes, just for fun, I would use cockney rhyming slang. Now that would really get the discussion going.

I guess what I am saying is that we shouldn’t assume that others know what we are talking about. It’s therefore important to explain stuff in simple terms, give examples or visuals to illustrate your point.

We are always saying that people buy from people they know and trust. Maybe add to that, who they also understand.

Knowledge is power. Share it.

Anne Day

Anne Day

Company of Women
