I have a problem, I want to move more into the business world but it seems I only speak geek. This is a very serious problem, especially when you are working in a small company and the majority of people are non-geek. I have a solid command of the english language having been raised in an english speaking country however, translating technical jargon to the business unit is sometimes an issue. Here are a few things that I’ve found to be helpful:
Know your audience
Not everyone in your intended audience will be tech saavy, so always target your comments to the lowest common denominator. This does not mean that you have to speak to them as though they are stupid, you just need to ensure that what you are saying doesn’t get into technical detail, speak in generalities. Business units don’t care about technical implementation or even technology, they just want to know if it can be done or not.
Think
Thinking before you give a response is one way to ensure what you are going to say will be understood by your audience. Your brain will be racing with cool ways to solve the problem and before you know it you are talking AJAX and INNODB tables and you would have lost your group.
Use analogies
Many of the tasks you implement in the business world can be mapped to real world concepts, use those concepts as the basis of your response. Most people will be able to associate and understand what you are saying.
Communication is important especially when you work in a small unit where you are required to interact with the business directly.
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Effective communication between geeks and everyone else
I have a problem, I want to move more into the business world but it seems I only speak geek. This is a very serious problem, especially when you are working in a small company and the majority of people are non-geek. I have a solid command of the english language having been raised in an english speaking country however, translating technical jargon to the business unit is sometimes an issue. Here are a few things that I’ve found to be helpful:
Know your audience
Not everyone in your intended audience will be tech saavy, so always target your comments to the lowest common denominator. This does not mean that you have to speak to them as though they are stupid, you just need to ensure that what you are saying doesn’t get into technical detail, speak in generalities. Business units don’t care about technical implementation or even technology, they just want to know if it can be done or not.
Think
Thinking before you give a response is one way to ensure what you are going to say will be understood by your audience. Your brain will be racing with cool ways to solve the problem and before you know it you are talking AJAX and INNODB tables and you would have lost your group.
Use analogies
Many of the tasks you implement in the business world can be mapped to real world concepts, use those concepts as the basis of your response. Most people will be able to associate and understand what you are saying.
Communication is important especially when you work in a small unit where you are required to interact with the business directly.
Related Posts