Do you abhor it when decision makers strategically leverage the utilization of unnecessary verbiage in their disruptive business communications? So do we.

Let’s free our content from the superfluous shackles of business jargon!

What Is Jargon, and Why Is It So Terrible?

Jargon is language that obfuscates makes it harder to get your point across. While it’s sometimes unavoidable, it’s rarely appreciated by those who have to read it. Too much of it can make your business communication annoying, garbled, and downright unintelligible.

Business jargon often crops up as a shorthand for expressing complex ideas. In a business setting, jargon can serve as a convenient tool for quickly communicating technical terms and concepts. The problem is when these industry terms are used for a wider audience outside your organization. Most readers will get confused (or vexed) when faced with unclear phrases and buzzwords. So, make sure to put their needs first by writing as plainly as you can.

Top 5 Business Jargon Offenders

Agile

These days, it seems like everyone’s describing their teams as “agile.” While this term used to carry a very specific meaning for project workflows, it’s now generally used as a catch-all term for flexibility and adaptability. The thing is, who wouldn’t describe themselves this way? “We’re a sluggish and obstinate team” isn’t something you’re likely to hear from a prospective vendor. So, choose a word that carries more weight and less baggage: nimble, deft, lean, etc.

Ideate

You mean … think of ideas? Just because you can make a noun into a verb, doesn’t mean you should. Watch out for idealized words like this one, and keep yourself grounded by refusing to take part in acts of ideation. We think brainstorming works just fine (plus, it has an added bonus of conjuring a striking visual).

Leverage

Leverage can mean a lot of things: use, learn from, make the most of. So, which is it that you mean? Being clear will go a long way toward preventing your readers from leveraging their ability to roll their eyes.

Synergy

This take on teamwork makes collaboration sound like a science experiment. Equally annoying in its verb form, synergize. And don’t even get me started on synergistic, another business jargon serial offender.

Utilize

See leverage. Why use a big word when a small word can do the trick? Use the word “use” when its use is usable!

Closing Thoughts: Avoid Business Jargon

Business jargon can not only confuse your readers, but it can turn them off to your brand. Now that you know what the top offenders are, you can avoid using them. Instead, employ clear and simple language that appeals and helps build trust with your target audience.

Looking to Clarify Your Content?

Tap Tendo’s editorial services and work with our team of experienced content marketers and strategists, who can create content that gets your messages across in a clear and compelling manner—sans all the unhelpful business jargon commonly found in B2B marketing materials. Get in touch today.

First published December 6, 2021