Become Bi-Lingual – Learn the Industry Languages Having participated in a number of student events recently where I shared a number of secrets I have as a direct result found myself inspired to put together a Business Boot Camp Series of Secrets/Tips for students. After all, our students today are the talent that will take our industry forward. My advice is that each student needs to differentiate himself/herself from the competition (which includes friends/classmates/non –student employees). Here I share my next tip –Learn the Industry Languages.
Communication Challenges
As an avid reader of my earlier posts and as a student/new entrant who is keen to soak up all the information and knowledge that you can, I know you will have been talking to people in the industry and presenting your business cards. My guess is that you were doing well until the moment when someone said “so just what do you think of our DDR?” or “what exactly does the work of the JMIC aim to accomplish?” – Now at this point you either answered perfectly or you would have experienced a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach and wondered how to remove yourself from this now difficult conversation. But to benefit you now and for your future let’s walk through the various languages that you will come across. I’ll also provide some signposts and tips on where to go for information to enable you to become very good at the languages you will need to master.
3 Different Languages
The Language of Business
If you walk into any office you have to know the difference between gross and net profit, what turnover is, what strategy means, whether leadership is actually just really management, and so on. The list is endless. I can tell you now that there are many businesses out there not knowing these basic terms. So get ahead and make sure you can walk into any boardroom with confidence.
Industry Language (Jargon)
This is where it becomes more involved. You now have to know the business language and also the specifics of the industry you work in. This is really understanding the jargon (and there is so much of it) Simple questions that you need answers to: What is ROI? What is ICCA? Is MICE still a recognized term? I’ll stop there as the list is one that never ends. Every day new words are being created, shortened or abused in some way.
There are problems with Jargon:
- There is so much of it It keeps flourishing
- Some people actually think it is good to speak/write in jargon
- It doesn’t help anyone who is not inside the industry
However, all that being said, you have to know all this jargon so that you can act accordingly. You have to know what it all means.
Overseas Jargon
So now you understand the language of business and you are mastering the industry language (jargon) so all is going well. I just need to add a third language for you and that is the one that is just as important as the first two which is overseas industry jargon. There are many jokes about USA/English translating the same language but in reality it is true a lot of the words on both sides just don’t have the same meaning and this can lead to all sorts of confusion. For example; Pants in the UK are entirely different to pants in the US. I can talk to you about “reaching out” in the States but in the UK we might just say “getting in touch”. The same rationale applies to other countries and you have to know that what you are communicating is being translated correctly.
Why You Have To Understand all 3 Languages
This is simple – because not being able to communicate effectively will limit your career opportunities in a big way. Event professionals will soon work out if you really know the industry, overseas colleagues will worry if you keep using your own language and not theirs, and business people outside of events will not take you seriously if you can only talk in your industry jargon.
Let’s not forget that you actually need a fourth language to understand and that is for your day to day conversations when you are not with work colleagues but you are just socialising with friends in your leisure time.
Relax…
There is Good News and an Opportunity for You
The good news is that there are numerous sources of help that you can call upon to enable you to become bi-lingual and many event professionals will not mind you asking questions because after all you are just starting your career. The opportunity is that by taking the time to truly understand the languages you will differentiate yourself in a major way. I still come across so many people that can only speak in jargon and (worse still) people that are not prepared to help their customer by presenting a proposal in a way that the customer will understand.
Summary
The subject of language will keep evolving and you have to move to its pace to make sure you stay ahead in your career. People will keep speaking in jargon but you don’t need to follow. Use the jargon when necessary but if you don’t need to then you can differentiate yourself by communicating in a way that can be easily understood.
Eight Top Tips
- Start now – Read business books, business news, trade press, etc
- Watch industry videos and listen to industry podcasts
- Become familiar with the many event associations & visit their websites often
- Read the industry business books – CMP, CIC, APEX Codes
- Talk to people in the #eventprofs community on Twitter
- Use the PP Reports section to become familiar with industry language
- Ask questions
- Remember this is another of those business tasks that will always need your attention
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About Paul Cook
Paul Cook, Managing Director of Planet Planit, is passionate about the events and production industries. He is keen to raise the importance and awareness of effective planning across the industry. Paul already runs a successful business providing insurance for special events Clarity Event Insurance and is recognised as a leading figure in the events industry. Paul is International Development & Student Programme Director for Meeting Professionals International UK and Ireland Chapter, (MPI) the leading professional development and networking body for the events industry, having already served a term as President during 2007/08. He is also currently serving on the Chapter Advisory Council of MPI’s global body.
In 2008 he was voted Number 15 in the Power 50 of people making their mark in the events industry by Haymarket’s industry leading publication – Conference and Incentive Travel.Paul frequently guest lectures at Universities and Trade Shows. He has also written for a number of trade journals and his opinions are frequently published by online magazines.
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Tags: #eventprofs, event planner, event planners, events, Volunteer, Volunteer Series
