Many people dream of becoming entrepreneurs, and often the biggest...
Letting technology do the heavy lifting for certain monotonous tasks...
Financial reporting often appears to be a routine...
Financial operations encompass the systems and processes that...
February 16, 2022
Our choice of words in business communications not only affect teamwork and morale, but they also potentially affect every business outcome. Psychological research has shown our sentences can significantly influence our listeners’ choices and opinions. That means using the correct verbiage in business is vital for achieving success.
Choosing nonspecific words and meaningless expressions in business communication can weaken the value of your message and cast doubt upon your expertise. Nevertheless, poor word choices and reckless phrasing can be blamed for many communication failures in the workplace. The repercussions range from disengagement and low productivity levels to financial losses.
Odds are your audience finds empty corporate buzzwords unoriginal and dull. Here are some examples of meaningless syntax that listeners would be grateful to have you eradicate from your business communication.
After two years of working from home, the phrase “new normal” has become an outdated cliche. Experts believe that there will be no “normal” with the global pandemic, and that we all have to learn to be more agile in response.
John E. Walker, founder and managing partner at PR agency Chirp, advises clients to stop using the phrase “new normal” altogether and embrace the concept of “next to normal” instead. “As the world and society evolve, so does business and we should consider the next pandemic phase to be the next normal,” Walker said.
These phrases are flabby and vague. If you can’t describe your products in real-world terms that truly mean something, you will not be able to convey how your product or service helps your customers. Use words such as latest, advanced, purpose-built or high-performance instead.
Companies often write about having a strong culture. However, the phrase doesn’t actually articulate what that culture represents and what makes it unique. “When I read that a company has a strong culture, I often wonder if it’s a culture where people are encouraged to grow and to work together, or if it’s a culture where one is expected to be on-call 24/7 and compete for advancement,” said Farone Advisors founder Deborah Farone.
The cliche “paradigm shift” is overused and trite. Instead, tell listeners what the shift is and why they should care.
“Now more than ever” is trite and suggests ignorance of history. There have always been challenging times; the current pandemic is just the latest. Use “better” or “greater” than something else to provide context and meaning.
Every company describes itself as leading something or other. If everyone is claiming to be the leader, then who really is? “Use that precious space to define who you are and why you matter,” said Welltok Chief Marketing Officer Erica Morgenstern. “That’s more important than trying to say you are a leader in a category or space with a bunch of qualifiers around it.”
All tech companies claim to develop “innovative solutions.” But it doesn’t communicate what makes them innovative. How is their innovation different or better than that of their competitors? It’s better to be specific and show success by providing customer examples. For instance, “We help businesses use artificial intelligence to decrease financial errors” is more powerful than “We offer businesses innovative financial solutions.”
“Putting people first” is a tired phrase that has come to lose its meaning. It’s better to talk about the actual initiatives that will help the organization and your stakeholders.
Here are some of the other top offenders among overused and passive-sounding business communication words and phrases, alongside classier examples of what to use instead.
Our team is made up of seasoned professionals who bring years of industry experience to the table. You gain a trusted advisor who understands your business inside out.
Say goodbye to the hassles of hiring, training and managing in-house finance teams. You will never have to worry about unexpected leave of absence or retraining new employees.
Whether you’re a small business or a global powerhouse, our solutions scale with your needs. We eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and help you focus on growing your business.
Financial reporting often appears to be a routine exercise, but for small businesses, it can be the difference between reactive...
Financial operations encompass the systems and processes that govern every monetary aspect of a business—from managing payables and receivables to...
For many small business owners, running payroll is a time-intensive chore that requires meticulous calculation, familiarity with tax codes, and...
Managing your business’s finances can often feel like juggling too many tasks at once, especially when you’re trying to keep...
Small business owners often grapple with tax obligations that can swallow a large portion of their profits if not managed...
Human Resources (HR) might feel like an afterthought for many small business owners juggling day-to-day demands, yet it has a...
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just for tech giants anymore—it’s increasingly accessible to small and mid-sized businesses seeking a competitive edge...
Setting up a payroll system is an essential step that helps small business owners pay their employees accurately and on...
While small businesses must handle day-to-day tasks—like managing payroll or closing monthly books—long-term planning is the compass that keeps them...