Buzzwords of all kinds have bulldozered their way into the workplace. Consider your last team meeting or client email. Did you use phrases like “circle back,” “low-hanging fruit” or “I’ll ping you?” One study shows that 86% of employees have used popular jargon terms, with about 50% finding these buzzwords annoying or really annoying.

We may use buzzwords to feel like we’re part of the team and knowledgeable. However, these popular phrases may have the opposite effect – they can tarnish our professional image and irritate our clients and colleagues.

There are a few buzzwords you may want to leave behind when it comes to sales in particular, according to a post on the Ambition blog. We highlight seven of them to eliminate from your vocabulary in this issue of PromoPro Daily.

1. Touch base. According to the Ambition post, this is just plain annoying in sales. It’s a common utterance when you want to connect with someone on a specific topic. Instead of using this buzzword, just say something like, “I’d like to meet with you on XYZ.”

2. Eat our own dog food. Also known as “dogfooding,” there’s no need to use this phrase when you really mean, “Use our own product or service.” The Ambition post says this is one of those sayings that people started saying when they heard other people saying it.

3. Circle back. Like the buzzword “touch base,” you may be tempted to use this phrase in place of simpler language. However, it’s probably best to use “following up” or “reaching back out” instead. The post points out that when you say you’re “circling back,” it sounds like you’re a corporate drone instead of a real human being.

4. Pick your brain. This is a particularly bothersome buzzword in sales because you’re supposed to be adding value for your clients. If leaders and other decision-makers agreed every time someone wanted to “pick their brain,” they wouldn’t get anything done. The post recommends avoiding this question so you don’t appear selfish.

5. Honestly. This term is unnecessary in sales conversations. The Ambition post points out that it adds no value and instead calls into question the integrity of everything else you’ve already said. You should always be honest, which means you don’t need to interject the buzzword “honestly.”

6. Innovative. Instead of tossing around this buzzword, try showing prospects what makes your offering better than all the others. The post suggests pointing out specific examples.

7. Disruptive. You may be a promo visionary, but chances are you’re not introducing something that will force the rest of the industry to adjust. This is just a fluff word, so try not to use it.

You may find yourself unknowingly using buzzwords in your conversations or emails. Keep in mind you probably don’t need those words. Your message will be much more impactful – and less annoying – when you eliminate them.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Ambition is a coaching suite that allows sales and enablement leaders to maximize team performance.