A Guide To Business Jargon

One of the things that I don't like about my chosen career field is the amount of jargon that people use.  "Jargon" is when people use overly complex or sophisticated words to describe what could be said in simpler and easier to understand ways.  This post contains an interpretation guide for some of the most common snooty business words out there.

The Jargon word is bolded, followed by equivalent words in plain english.

Human Capital - Human Resources, People
Talent Acquisition - Recruitment
Talent Management  - Performance Management, Workforce Development
Paradigm - A way of seeing the world.  Sometimes referred to as "the box" as in "We must think outside the box."
Authenticity  - Being true to one's self.
Impactful - Makes a difference.            
Utilize - Use
Capital - Money or Equivalent 
Optimize - Customize
Rightsizing - Layoff
Core Competencies - What you are best at.   
Face Time - Meeting Time (In Person)    
Learnings - Lessons
Monetize - To get money from something. (a concept, a product)
Deliverable - Task

Why do people use jargon?  Sometimes they use it to sound smart and sometimes they use it to fit in.  In any case, I think that while we all fall short of perfection from time to time, a world with less word-snot can't be a bad thing.

See you later.  I need to go optimize my deliverables for a new human capital initiative and plan for some impactful face time with a new client.  Ta Ta!
   

Comments

[Raven]

Hi Cheri - This is awesome! I have to admit I often think of Hollywood when I see the phrases "Talent Acquisition" &
"Talent Management" ;)

My favorite word in your list is "rightsizing", because it sounds SO much more positive than downsizing, layoffs,reduction in force, etc. Ha!