If you're just starting out in business, much of the terminology that others seem to take for granted may seem like total Greek to you. Sales people especially like to toss around tech terms and other industry jargon like we should all know what it means. And even if you've been in business for years you can easily encounter unfamiliar terms as your business grows and you take on even more responsibilities. And then, of course, there's the whole realm of technology and the Internet where new terms are invented almost daily. Just understanding the language of the Web can be challenging. Wouldn't it be nice to have a series of Web-based "cheat sheets" that you could look to for help defining the terms and jargon that have you stumped? Becoming fluent in "biz-speak" or "tech-speak" can be as simple as 1, 2, 3:
- When you encounter an unfamiliar term, don't just brush it aside or pretend like you know what it means.
- Fire up your PC and run a quick check on the mysterious moniker via the term-cracking solutions below.
- File the answers in your memory banks, but resist the urge to talk business jargon to others who might not have the same knowledge. Plain English often works best in the end.
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Discover your definitions at online business-specific references
A simple site like the Dictionary of Small Business can be a life-saver when you need a quick business term lookup.
For computer and Internet definitions, use your computer and the Internet
The problem with some tech dictionaries is that the definitions are harder to understand than the term itself. But the tech experts at Internet.com have created a great online dictionary and search engine for quick and easy-to-understand computer and Internet-technology definitions.
Stay timely - take the pulse of the latest tech terms
Want to impress others with your knowledge of cutting edge tech? Check regularly for new terms. You'll be surprised by how many there are.
Alleviate your acronym anger
Acronyms - those annoying letter designations for a billion terms, names or phrases - can be very useful and maddening at the same time. In business, we encounter so many of them that it's next to impossible to keep them all straight.
Put a wiki to work
But what the heck is a "wiki" you may be asking?
Dive into accounting terminology
Consider a specialized resource for checking finance and accounting terms.
Take your definitions deeper
If it's more than a simple definition you need, consider a full-blown business research library that can help.
- Help your employees and other associated with your business understand key terms as well. Compile your own in-house dictionary of terms associated with your particular industry.
- Help your customers understand terminology, too. Create a customer-centered version of your in-house dictionary with special emphasis on plain-English explanations of terms they may encounter.
