TMA - Too Many Acronyms!

"Can you get the YTD, B2B sales by CBU from the CRM and then align KPI’s by FTE?”* Is just one example sentence with a few placed acronyms that we often use within business. There are hundreds, and every business might have some of their own unique ones too. But do we overuse acronyms to replace actual language and words? Have we brought text speak to the way we operate and communicate within business?

  Acronyms can simplify and facilitate communication, enhance recall, and save time, and effort for everyone involved. But to what gain? If you are communicating to an individual that isn’t aware of the acronym, they may not always be confident enough to ask what you mean, and then they will undoubtably go away and spend more time trying to figure out the abbreviation than the time it would have taken you to simply say it. Worse still, they are likely to try and figure it out whilst continuing the conversation with you and lose their focus and stop listening.

  Not only can acronyms be confusing they can also be misinterpreted. One acronym can mean one thing in one organisation and something completely different in another. For example, a PA in one business is a Personal Assistant, in another it is a Performance Appraisal. So, asking ‘how did your PA go?’ would have two completely different meanings. Likewise, P&O in one major FMCG* manufacturer is referring to their Human Resource department (Personnel and Organisation), rather than a trip on a ferry. I also vividly remember a MD* once addressing his UK team at a conference and referring to FIFO, it took a while for the delegates to realise that he wasn’t referring to ‘First in First out’ rather ‘Fit in or…..go away’! Confusing, and needless to say, not very motivating!

  There is a time and place for when to use short form and when not to. Be aware of your audience, if they work in a different department to you, they may not know your functional abbreviations. Don’t overuse acronyms, just because you know them, you don’t have to say them, otherwise you might find yourself being the subject of a ‘Bull* Bingo’ game in meetings! If you are the recipient of acronyms, don’t be afraid to ask what it stands for and means. Better to ask upfront than go away, try to figure it out to no avail and then have to go back and ask the question!

  Jargon busters are also really useful, not just to new starters, but to all employees in the organisation. A crib sheet stored centrally can really aid in understanding; but ensure it is one that is continually reviewed and updated as new acronyms are forever being created.

  If you want to be clear on what and how you and your teams are communicating, contact us at help@pureblueocean.com

  *P. s if you are unclear as to what the opening acronyms were:

YTD – Year to date; B2B – Business to Business; CBU – Customer Business Unit; CRM – Customer Relationship Management; KPI – Key Performance Indicator; FTE – Full Time Employee.

Also used in this blog: FMCG – Fast Moving Consumer Goods; MD – Managing Director