How to take the BS out of business speak | Bob Wiltfong | TEDxVienna

Summary

The speaker humorously explores the prevalence of 'BS' or business speak in the corporate world, highlighting its elitist nature and potential for exclusion. Through personal anecdotes and audience interaction, he offers three strategies to demystify business jargon: inclusivity, simplicity in communication, and awareness of cultural differences in language. The talk encourages a more accessible and straightforward approach to business communication.

Takeaways

• 😀 Business Speak, or BS, is a specialized language used in the workplace that can sometimes obscure clear communication.
• 😅 The speaker was introduced to BS through his wife, a chief marketing officer, and was initially confused and amused by it.
• 📚 The speaker compiled a BS dictionary to understand and demystify the language of business speak.
• 🌟 A key point of the presentation is to highlight the rise of BS in the globalized economy and suggest ways to simplify communication.
• 👫 BS is often the language of the elite, with many of its fluent speakers being well-educated white males in high corporate positions.
• 🔍 Using BS can be a way to test someone's knowledge or to create a barrier and keep people apart, as experienced by the speaker's friend Emily.
• 💡 The speaker advocates for using simple language to be inclusive and avoid alienating those who may not understand complex jargon.
• 📉 Avoid using BS to show off or to sound sophisticated; clear and understandable communication is more valuable in business.
• 🎯 Recognize that BS terms can have different meanings or be completely unknown outside of specific cultural contexts, leading to miscommunication.
• 📚 Understanding the origin of phrases and idioms can provide insight into why they may not always be appropriate to use in a global business setting.
• 🌐 Be aware of cultural differences in business speak and strive to use language that is universally understood to foster clear and effective communication.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's presentation?

The main theme of the presentation is the rise of business speak (BS) in the globalized economy and the ways to simplify and demystify it to make communication more inclusive and understandable.

What does the speaker define as 'BS' or 'Business Speak'?

The speaker defines 'BS' or 'Business Speak' as the specialized language used in the business world, often filled with jargon and acronyms that can be confusing or exclusionary to those not familiar with the terms.

How did the speaker first encounter the language of BS?

The speaker first encountered the language of BS through his wife, who is a chief marketing officer for a global consulting firm, when she was using such language during a conference call at home.

What was the speaker's reaction to the unfamiliar language used by his wife?

The speaker was initially confused and even concerned that his wife might be a spy due to her use of unfamiliar terms. After she translated the terms for him, he made fun of the language relentlessly.

What did the speaker do in response to his experience with BS?

In response to his experience with BS, the speaker devoted years of his life to compiling, researching, and writing a BS dictionary.

What is the speaker's call to action (CTA) for the audience?

The speaker's CTA is to raise awareness about the prevalence of BS in the business world and to encourage the audience to take steps to simplify and clarify business language to make it more accessible.

What are the three ways the speaker suggests to take the BS out of business speak?

The three ways suggested by the speaker are: 1) Use BS to be inclusive rather than exclusive, 2) Express fresh ideas without relying on stale business cliches or complex jargon, and 3) Be aware that much of our BS can be lost in translation depending on the audience.

Why does the speaker argue that BS can be problematic in business communication?

The speaker argues that BS can be problematic because it is often the language of the elite, can be used to exclude or test knowledge of others, and may lead to miscommunication or confusion due to its specialized nature.

What is the significance of the phrase 'drinking the Kool-Aid' and why does the speaker mention it?

The phrase 'drinking the Kool-Aid' refers to succumbing to peer pressure or accepting something without question, originating from a tragic event involving a cult leader and cyanide-laced drink. The speaker mentions it to illustrate how certain BS phrases can have specific cultural origins that may not be universally understood.

What does the speaker mean by 'Lost in Translation' in the context of BS terms?

By 'Lost in Translation,' the speaker means that certain BS terms or phrases may have specific cultural or historical contexts that are not widely recognized, leading to potential misunderstandings or misinterpretations in a global business setting.

How does the speaker use humor and audience interaction in his presentation?

The speaker uses humor by sharing personal anecdotes and making light of his own experiences with BS, as well as through the use of funny phrases and cultural references. Audience interaction is employed through stomping feet and clapping hands to gauge understanding and involvement with the discussed terms.