by Todd Hicks

Created on: January 14, 2010   Last Updated: December 13, 2010

Are you accustomed to taking shortcuts and using shorthand? Do you like to communicate with jargon and acronyms? Although this can be a way to creatively express yourself, it is not always wise to do this. You will learn reasons to avoid business jargon and acronyms when you communicate on the job.

The use of jargon and acronyms can look and sound unprofessional. Some people who read material that contains gibberish or slang or hear someone speaking jargon are not likely to be impressed.

You are likely to turn off your fellow workers, especially if you send them E-mails that have jargon or acronyms. Although they might not mind if you talk this way in lunch hour conversations when they might be relaxed and willing to ask what you mean, they would not be able to quickly learn what you mean in an E-mail; furthermore, E-mail messages are more formal than face-to-face conversations in my opinion.

This can turn off the employees. Bosses are likely to lose respect from their workers if they use uncommon language to communicate with them.

The use of jargon and acronyms can offend the boss. He or she is likely to think less of an employee who has the gall to use this language on the job.

This type of language can cause confusion. Some slang or unusual words mean one thing to one person while having a different meaning to others.

Using jargon and acronyms at work can lead to a loss of precious time. Time is wasted when people must spend time trying to figure out what someone who used this language means.

Using gibberish might cause havoc on the computer. If you send an E-mail that contains this, the computer might misinterpret this as being something bad and either classify it as junk mail or think of it as spam and filter or block it.

Customers who read or hear communication that has jargon or acronyms are likely to be upset. This is a good way to lose business.

This is likely to be a bad reflection on you. If you communicate in a poor way, others will probably think you are not serious about your work or making things pleasant for others.

This could be a bad reflection on the company. If the public catches this, they are likely to see the entire company in a bad light.

You have learned reasons to avoid business jargon and acronyms in communication. By doing it, you are much more likely to have a successful career or business.

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