backHunting down more weasels

In our last blog, we talked about several species of weasel. We hunted down the strength suckers (somewhat improved), the vague (research shows) and the passive (it has been decided).

Let’s now set our sights on those other weasel species that pop up in business writing – euphemisms and mealy-mouthed management-speak.

Are we fooled when managers talk about critical reorganisation, downsizing or right-sizing? Not for a minute. We know it’s time to brush up our CV. Do we really think that an accounting irregularity is anything else but fraud in a nice suit?

And what’s our poor reader to do with furry language like negative uplifts or cost optimisation? They would be better served if we told them that they need to cut costs.

Here are some words that are in danger of being weasels, depending on their context and what else you put with them. We’ve added a translation, plus some suggestions for keeping them honest.

• It’s a defensible position = we could back up our decision with data (but we haven’t).
  [Give solid reasons for recommendations and back them up with facts.]
• It’s industry standard = it’s the most common solution for this situation (so you should be impressed).
  [Show why it’s the best in this situation and, if needed, show specific, related situations where it works well.]
• This is best practice = it’s what most people think is the best way (so you should too).
  [Show why it’s the best in this situation.]
• We have sufficient buy-in = someone supports this idea (but we are not saying who and how many, or who thinks it’s terrible idea).
  [Say who supports it, and preferably why.]
• Pathfinder project = we have never done this before (so we are experimenting on you).
  [Be honest about taking on something new, but show how you will protect the client’s interests.]

Great business writers show courage by refusing to trot out lazy, vague statements. They use concrete, factual, precise words that say what they mean.