Copyright 1996 - 2007 by William Wieker.
All rights reserved.
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Management uses a great deal of jargon to explain things to their employees. Employees,
wishing to clearly understand their management, must understand this management
jargon. They must not be misled by the words and phrases used by management.
Management jargon is a combination of words, phrases, and sentence constructs which
can be used to obscure a statement. Jargon is less specific and thus less clear than
ordinary English. When management uses jargon to clarify a point it frequently obscures
the truth. Occasionally, management may use jargon to hide their own lack of knowledge
when answering employee's questions.
This book attempts to clarify the meaning of management jargon. The explanations of
the terms may not be accepted by all. Common use may dictate completely different
meanings. New words are added to management jargon all the time. Also, the meanings
of individual phrases change over time.
While every effort has been taken in the preparation of this book, the author assumes no
responsibility for any errors and/or omissions, or for any damages resulting from the use
of the information contained herein.
Sentence Constructs
Managers are less accountable when they are less precise. They can use a variety of ways
to obscure their meaning. Their vague sentences can be agreed to by more people.
Successful managers gain agreement from a vast majority of employees by the use of
vague sentences. Politicians are the real experts at being vague.
The following are some constructs that are inherently vague.
Circular reasoning When a reason is the same as the object being explained. Thus, no
explanation is offered.
Example: We are giving small raises because we are not giving large raises.
Empty Statements Descriptions which add little to understanding.
Example: Our profits are better than they seem.
I think To state that the following is one's own opinion. The speaker protects the firm
by stating something as his own opinion. Also, the opinion is accurately stated even if
the opinion is poor. No promise or commitment has been made. The statement must be
assumed to be an honest opinion. Few would disagree that it is an opinion.
Example: I think raises will be good this year.
List of rhetorical questions Unanswered queries vaguely outline what is not being said.
Negative declaration Giving a statement about what is not the case. The statement that
something is not the case does not say what is the case.
Example: Our president will not be fired.
This does not imply the president will not leave the firm. He may retire, quit, pursue a
better offer, change careers or be forced out.
Opposite qualifiers When a description contradicts itself.
Example: A small box which is large on the inside.
Proof by example The listing of supportive anecdotal evidence. Giving cases where
something has happened does not prove the line of reasoning. Anecdotal evidence can be
interesting but rarely reliable.
Statements of desires A statement that something is hoped for does not imply any
action is to be taken to ensure the desired outcome.
Example: I want us all to be happy with our compensation.
Vacuous Reasoning When a non explanative statement is given as a reason.
Example: Since this is this year, our sales are good.
1 Give a slow introduction over time 2 Incrementally spoon feed small amounts of possibly misleading information until the whole concept is accepted 3 Withhold distasteful information
1 Projected dollar amounts estimated ahead of time for a project 2 the company's overall costs and revenues 3 Any estimate before or after any or all facts are known
"Let's revise our budget after the project starts"
1 Great lies told by a great authority
2 Overly exaggerated claims of validity about a heterogeneous collection
3 Giving assurance with a quick smile and a chuckle
4 Claiming new information is true because it is common knowledge
1 Either increase in revenue or a decrease in costs 2 A decrease in costs caused by a more efficient production method 3 A production method that requires fewer employees and/or less plant and equipment
"Your idea has some interesting cash flow benefits"
1 Give employees something of value. Some are paid for by the firm, the employee, or both. Some are paid by the firm and taxable to the employee. Some are chosen by the employee
"We can provide an employee benefit by allowing our people to buy group life insurance"
1 The number of years before an employee owns his employer paid benefit 2 The percent owned by the employee that grows over the entire period. This increase is rarely steady and can be from 0 to 10 years or more