Corporate jargon, also known as "corporate speak" or "workplace jargon" is the business English used by corporates the world over. Like any other profession that has its own jargon, the corporate world too boasts of having its own lexicon of jargon known to and appreciated by only those belonging to the corporate world. But corporate jargon is complex - so complex, that even among the corporate circle, it has created chaos and confusion. For years now it has been proved and disproved several times over that corporate jargon is more a bane than a blessing. The argument still continues.
Here are a few priceless gems:
a. Descope: Syncope at the desk? No. This means reducing goals.
b. Bandwidth: If you think this has something to do with your internet connection, think again. In the corporate world, this term refers to a person's mental, physical and emotional capacity
c. Best of breeds: No, we are not talking horses and dogs here, but the best in the market or a particular industry.
d. d. Human capital: Employees.
e. Boil the ocean: This refers to doing something very inefficiently.
There are hundreds like these used every day at the work place. They are, in a way, nothing but a bunch of words put together that make no sense at all. Thus making them unpopular and the brunt of many a joke.
It's not just the layperson who has been affected by corporate jargon; there are those within the corporate circle too who find this sub-dialect of the corporates bizarre. According to a study conducted in the UK, a good majority of the workforce would rather do away with them.
In an endeavour to create a good and lasting impression among colleagues and friends, longer words are used in place of shorter words; many words are used where a single word will do the job. They are used recklessly at meetings, group discussions, interviews, in internal e-mails and even dragged into social gatherings. But due to their lack of substance and unclear meanings, businesses have been lost, misunderstandings created and time lost.
Being adept at pelting out corporate jargon does not guarantee that an individual is a good communicator. In fact, more often than not, jargons have been conveniently and convincingly used to hide one's inability to communicate in plain, straightforward English. What is conveyed to the audience is empty words, blank thoughts and sentences that lack information.
Sadly, even after being satirized and discredited by those outside (and even within) the corporate family, corporate jargon has stood the test of time and now flourishes like never before. Corporates believe that these jargons cannot be done away with and that it is a part of who they are. They believe that it gives them a sense of belonging and identity.
Should corporate jargon be done away with completely? Perhaps not. They sound smart and can convey a message when used at the right time and in the right place. They are beneficial only when used between two people who understand their significance. They can also be used, within reasonable limits, in internal emails. There are companies who expect their employees to be aware of a few jargons that are used regularly - which is again alright. However, at the end of the day, there is nothing like communicating in plain, simple English - an age-old, time-tested concept.
Here are a few priceless gems:
a. Descope: Syncope at the desk? No. This means reducing goals.
b. Bandwidth: If you think this has something to do with your internet connection, think again. In the corporate world, this term refers to a person's mental, physical and emotional capacity
c. Best of breeds: No, we are not talking horses and dogs here, but the best in the market or a particular industry.
d. d. Human capital: Employees.
e. Boil the ocean: This refers to doing something very inefficiently.
There are hundreds like these used every day at the work place. They are, in a way, nothing but a bunch of words put together that make no sense at all. Thus making them unpopular and the brunt of many a joke.
It's not just the layperson who has been affected by corporate jargon; there are those within the corporate circle too who find this sub-dialect of the corporates bizarre. According to a study conducted in the UK, a good majority of the workforce would rather do away with them.
In an endeavour to create a good and lasting impression among colleagues and friends, longer words are used in place of shorter words; many words are used where a single word will do the job. They are used recklessly at meetings, group discussions, interviews, in internal e-mails and even dragged into social gatherings. But due to their lack of substance and unclear meanings, businesses have been lost, misunderstandings created and time lost.
Being adept at pelting out corporate jargon does not guarantee that an individual is a good communicator. In fact, more often than not, jargons have been conveniently and convincingly used to hide one's inability to communicate in plain, straightforward English. What is conveyed to the audience is empty words, blank thoughts and sentences that lack information.
Sadly, even after being satirized and discredited by those outside (and even within) the corporate family, corporate jargon has stood the test of time and now flourishes like never before. Corporates believe that these jargons cannot be done away with and that it is a part of who they are. They believe that it gives them a sense of belonging and identity.
Should corporate jargon be done away with completely? Perhaps not. They sound smart and can convey a message when used at the right time and in the right place. They are beneficial only when used between two people who understand their significance. They can also be used, within reasonable limits, in internal emails. There are companies who expect their employees to be aware of a few jargons that are used regularly - which is again alright. However, at the end of the day, there is nothing like communicating in plain, simple English - an age-old, time-tested concept.
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