In the business world, sometimes it is difficult to get through a conversation without using business jargon!
Below is a conversation between two colleagues.
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(a) Original conversation: Tim: Hey, can I get a little facetime? Randall: Sure, let’s dialogue. T: Great. I tried to ping you earlier, but you weren’t in. R: Yeah, I had to handle some pushback on my proposal. T: Really, why was that? R: Well, I’ve come up with a number of synergies in the value chain. My value proposition was to seamlessly integrate our customer service reps. T: Sounds like a win-win. How long is the ramp-up? R: That’s the problem. I projected a roll-out in two months. C-level people want to dial-in the project in two weeks. T: …but you’re proposing an end-to-end solution! R: Yeah, I know. I had the time-frame mapped out for all the deliverables, too. T: Sometimes you have to wonder about high-level management’s capabilities to leverage people like you! R: You’re much too kind! Anyway, what was it you wanted to talk to me about? T: Nothing much, I just wanted to give you a heads-up on some performance management issues I’ve been having with Pete. R: No room to breathe? T: You’ve got it ….
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(b) Translation into easy (well, easier) English: T: Hey, do you have some time for me? R: Sure, let’s talk. T: Great. I tried to contact you earlier, but you weren’t in. R: Yeah, I had to manage some complaints about my idea for the company. T: Really, why was that? R: Well, I thought of a number of tasks that can complement each other in how we provide our service. My improvement idea was to include our customer service representatives and our processes. T: That sounds like a good idea for everybody. How long will it take to put your plan into action? R: That’s the problem. I think it will take two months to put into place. The directors want to put the project into action in two weeks. T: …but you’ve suggested a complete solution to the problem! R: Yes, I know. I had developed a schedule for all of the improvements, too. T: Sometimes it’s difficult to understand why upper management can’t take advantage of people like you! R: You’re much too kind! Anyway, what was it you wanted to talk to me about? T: Nothing much. I just wanted to tell you ahead of time about some problems I’m having with Pete trying to control everything I do. R: No room for your own efforts? T: That’s it…
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Key Vocabulary
facetime (noun)- time together
to dialogue (verb) – to speak
to ping (verb) – to contact someone
pushback (noun) – to object to, complain about
synergies (noun) – combinations in efforts that improve something
value chain (noun) – the group of processes that provide something positive
value proposition (noun) – the improvement idea
seamlessly (adverb) – flowing smoothly
to integrate (verb) – to include in a process
win-win (noun, also used as an adjective) – successful outcome for everyone involved
ramp-up (noun, also used as a verb) – time it takes to do something
roll-out (noun, also used as a verb) – time it takes to do something
C-level (adjective) – upper management, directors
to dial-in (verb) – time it takes to do something
end-to-end (adjective) – complete
time-frame (noun) – amount of time needed
to map out (verb) – to plan
deliverables (noun) – specific improvements or products to be made
to leverage (verb) – to take advantage of something
heads-up (noun) – notice of something
performance management (noun) – way of managing someone
Some other common clichés:
Think outside the box – look at things from a new perspective
It’s not rocket science – it’s not difficult to understand
Let’s touch base – let’s keep in contact
Swallow the frog – do the most unpleasant task first
Push the needle – take things to the next level
Shoot the puppy – make a brutal decision
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