Space may be the final frontier, but it has no place in your business vocabulary. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve come across references to the “private equity space” or “ultra-high net worth space” in our client’s presentations, guest columns or podcast interviews. PLEASE STOP!

The word “space” is a prime example of business jargon run amok. Nowadays, it seems like every company is claiming to be in some kind of “space,” whether it’s the fintech space, the AI space, or the blockchain space. “Space” is a vague, catch-all term that often lacks substance. Stay away from it. Instead, be more specific about the industry, market, or sector to which you’re referring.

Greg Bauman of the Silicon Valley Business Journal explained that “space” is often used in business jargon to “puff up the speaker.” Beware of people who deploy it to imply mastery of a topic when their knowledge may be thin, he advised.

If you’re using AI, Grammarly, etc., to assist you that’s fine. Just don’t let those tools cause you to become lazy. Here are six more of our corporate-speak pet peeves. Chances are they’re bugging your clients, staff and stakeholders, too.

1. “Synergy” – This word is often used to describe the potential combined effect of two or more things working together, but it has become a cliché and is frequently used without much substance.
2. “Disruptive” – This term is overused to describe any new idea, product, or service that challenges the status quo, even when the “disruption” is relatively minor.
3. “Pivot” – Originally used in the context of startups changing direction, this word is now applied to any shift in strategy or focus, often unnecessarily. Maybe it’s time to pivot from your usual choice of words in your presentations, articles and podcast appearances.
4. “Low-hanging fruit” – This phrase, which refers to easily achievable goals or opportunities, has become a tired cliché in business communication. Buzzwords like these are the low-hanging fruit of business communication.
5. “Value-add” – This term, which refers to additional features or benefits that add value to a product or service, is often used without much substance or specificity. Hence, it’s not adding much value to your communication.
6. “Game-changer” – Ugghhh. This phrase is frequently used to describe any new development or innovation, even when its impact is not truly transformative. Think about how cringeworthy it is when the teenagers in your life use the word “awesome.” It’s the same thing when corporate folks use “game-changer” or any of the other jargony shortcuts above.

Conclusion

We’re all super-busy these days, but that doesn’t give us the right to be lazy when it comes to our written and spoken communication. You’re an Elite Professional; Don’t Act Like a Jamoke.

What are you and your colleagues doing to improve your communication and efforts? I’d love to hear from you and why.

#businesscommunication, #practicemanagement, #corporatespeak