So, what is business jargon<\/strong> in the first place? <\/p>\n\n\n\n It encompasses the language used by professionals across different industries, which may be difficult for the general public to understand<\/strong>. Think about your own workplace and you\u2019ll likely remember more than a few industry buzzwords<\/strong> that had you scratching your head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But if buzzwords often lead to confusion, why are they so widespread? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people use them because they want to sound more competent. This is unfortunate, as most examples of industry jargon have easy-to-understand alternatives<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result, workplace communication suffers<\/strong>, leading to misunderstanding, lengthy clarifications, and wasted time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why we’ve: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s start.<\/p>\n\n\n Corporate jargon differs from industry to industry, sometimes replacing much simpler words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This language can become a significant communication barrier<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> especially in groups and teams where not all members have enough experience or expertise to understand it<\/strong>. According to a workplace jargon survey<\/a> from Duolingo and LinkedIn, 60% of respondents stated they had to decipher jargon without any help.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The survey further revealed that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strengthen teams and simplify work with Pumble by CAKE.com \u2014 the all-in-one communication app.<\/p>\n\n These sentiments can grow into more serious issues. For example, one of business jargon\u2019s biggest downsides is how it can isolate new hires from more experienced colleagues. Consequently, their performance might suffer if they\u2019re too embarrassed to ask for help<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re unlikely to find a way to fully eliminate such language, but we can try to become familiar with widely used corporate jargon examples. The next step is then switching to clearer alternatives<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1 PUMPLE PRO TIP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Jargon is only one part of business communication. To learn which other words and phrases you should use and when you should avoid them, check out this helpful post:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Simplify communication with Pumble<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Business jargon\u2019s not going anywhere, so we\u2019ve compiled this overview, breaking down our examples into 4 categories. Their explanations, example sentences, and alternatives should hopefully minimize ambiguity and provide more clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Workplace communication should be the core of transparent and productive work<\/a>, not a hub of chaos. Yet, even a simple \u201cLet\u2019s talk about this!<\/em>\u201d can be translated into overly complicated business jargon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Example sentence:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHi, the onboarding interview cut off abruptly, my apologies for that. Are you by any chance free for a video meeting tomorrow afternoon? I\u2019d like to <\/em>circle back<\/em><\/strong> to a few things.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n What it really means:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n This typical example of office jargon means to have a conversation again at a later time<\/strong> or to revisit previous topics<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to say instead:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t have to \u201ccircle back<\/em>\u201d when you can just say: \u201cHey, can we <\/em>talk about this again<\/em><\/strong>?<\/em>\u201d<\/strong> or \u201c<\/strong>Let\u2019s<\/em> come back to this conversation<\/em><\/strong> later.<\/em>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Example sentence:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m still unclear about some details from past meetings. Are you free on Wednesday so we can <\/em>touch base<\/em><\/strong>?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n What it really means:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n If a colleague sends you the above message, they want to schedule a meeting to provide updates<\/strong> and discuss a certain task or project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to say instead:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A simpler alternative could involve a message like \u201cCan we <\/em>talk about the recent updates<\/em><\/strong> on our project?\u201d or \u201cWhen are you free to <\/em>talk about the progress<\/em><\/strong> on the project?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1 PUMBLE PRO TIP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Meetings are an essential part of remote work, and there are many other phrases besides \u201ctouch base<\/em>\u201d that will help you get your point across effectively. To learn more about what to say before, during, and after a meeting, check out this blog post:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Upgrade your meetings in Pumble<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Example sentence:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m looking over our campaign reports, and I would really appreciate <\/em>syncing up<\/em><\/strong> with you. Could we have a voice call after lunch hour, perhaps?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n What it really means:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This phrase means that we want to catch up with a coworker<\/strong> so that we can all be on the same page<\/strong> regarding a project, task, or idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to say instead:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn the same page<\/em><\/strong>\u201d is mostly familiar to workers across professions and industries, which lowers the odds of someone misconstruing its meaning. As a result, a sentence like this will do just fine: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/strong>This is a fast-paced project, and the reports are detailed. Would you mind scheduling a call so that I can make sure we\u2019re <\/em>on the same page<\/em><\/strong>?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example sentence:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPing me <\/em><\/strong>when you receive the updated client information.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n What it really means:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A ping signifies the sound of a notification in business messaging apps<\/a>. Remote workers are probably used to getting pinged, as they need to stay in touch with their coworkers. Additionally, many different interactions warrant a ping \u2014 usually achieved through a @mention \u2014 from starting a conversation to responding to a vacation request email<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n Now, we also use \u201cping<\/em>\u201d as a verb, with a meaning of texting or messaging someone<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What to say instead: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can easily substitute \u201cping<\/em>\u201d for \u201cmessage<\/em>.\u201d Thus, our example becomes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMessage me <\/em><\/strong>when you have the updated client information<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1 PUMBLE PRO TIP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even with mentions and notification alerts, starting a conversation and staying in touch can still feel like the toughest parts of the communication process. This blog posts will help you take the first step with confidence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example sentence: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe campaign is already underway, but we have new colleagues joining us today. We\u2019ll have an introductory meeting tomorrow to <\/em>loop everyone in<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n What it really means: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLooping someone in<\/em>\u201d means having a talk with a colleague to <\/strong>keep them informed<\/strong><\/a>. This generally involves sharing knowledge<\/a> that will help your teammates in carrying out their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to say instead: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A great one-word alternative is \u201cinform<\/em><\/strong>.\u201d We can rephrase our example into: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ll <\/em>inform<\/em><\/strong> you about the campaign during the introductory meeting tomorrow.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Business](\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Business-Jargon-cover.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe real cost of corporate jargon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/features@2x.png)
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The jargon blacklist: 32 Buzzwords & their alternatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Category #1: Jargon for \u201cLet\u2019s talk about this\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#1: Circle back <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
#2: Touch base <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Using](\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Using-simple-terms-to-arrange-a-meeting-over-Pumble-a-business-communication-app0D0A0D0A.png\")
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#3: Sync up <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
#4: Ping <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"In](\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/In-employee-communication-apps-like-Pumble-mentions-make-sure-no-ping-goes-unnoticed0D0A0D0A.png\")
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#5: Loop someone in<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Share](\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Share-knowledge-keep-your-team-informed-via-Pumble0D0A0D0A.png\")