Speaking the Language
Have you noticed when starting a new job, or becoming friendly with new group of people, that there’s a whole new language they’re using that you don’t understand?
I know when I first joined Vector Marketing I was overwhelmed with the acronyms that would fly around during meetings. One exchange that I was trying to follow went something like this:
How did PDI go today? Do you have a good guess on what the office’s CPO will be this week? Great…
Confused? So was I.
Why do we do this to ourselves and others? One explanation is that speaking in these codes makes us feel like we belong. For example, most organizations have their own acronyms, terminology and expressions that have become ingrained into the corporate culture. So, as a new hire, you can really speed up your assimilation to the company by quickly mastering the unique language of your work environment.
At the same time, it’s important not to overdo it with corporate lingo. Speaking clearly and avoiding jargon will help you stand out from the crowd, and will improve your communication with customers and others outside of the organization. This is especially true in sales. Just ask yourself which of these statements would likely result in an order: “Ms. Jones, I think the 1723 in classic will be just what the doctor ordered and fit into the feng shui you’ve got going on here” or “Ms. Jones, from everything you’ve told me, I believe our carving knife will do a great job for you, and the classic black color would go great with the décor here in your kitchen.”
So, the next time you hear yourself using jargon, or common cliches, stop for a minute and think, “Is this communication serving my objective?” If you want someone to feel welcomed into your circle, then the answer is probably “no.” If, on the other hand, you want to show that you speak the language – literally – and you’re part of the tribe, then go ahead – just don’t get carried away!
This is very true most people in an everyday setting that is the norm to them do not consider those who may feel alienated and may not even think of some thing so simple because their language much like other aspects of there culture are deeply embedded into their minds and so much as to not even be considered
Thanks for your comment, Paul. How has this affected you? Do you have any strategies that you think are useful for responding to these situations?
I just joined vector, and Im curious as to what CPO stands for, and what a “Career CPO” is?
Hi Kyle -
Great questions! CPO means “Commission Paid On,” or simply sales that generate commission. You may also hear this referred to as “Line #1″ sales – meaning line #1 of the order form which includes all items purchased by the customer (not free or bonus point items). Career CPO refers to the amount of sales an individual has made throughout their Vector career. So if someone in your office has a career CPO of over $60,000 that means they’ve sold over $60,000 of Cutco.
Good luck in your new role and welcome to the team!
Sarah, thanks for answering everyone’s questions on here, it really makes a difference.
I am just finishing up my initial training, and I can already tell Cutco will have a large impact on my life. The people and the environment are so positive and it is almost like a family atmosphere at the office where everyone helps each other, and no one is left out. I am excited to start working and getting to know my team/family here at Cutco.
I’m so glad to hear things are going well for youCurtis, and that you find the blog helpful. You may also want to “like” Vector’s Facebook page (search on Vector Marketing Corporation and select the Vector icon that says “Company”) so you can follow daily tips and get advice from other reps. Good Luck and welcome to the team!