Contrary to popular belief, business communications is not about products or services. It’s about people. It’s about making human contact.

Problem is, when business people communicate the first thing that goes is humanity. One of the biggest culprits is jargon. If you don’t think so, check your last few pieces. Do they talk directly, clearly and plainly or are they filled with complex sentences of self-absorbed technical talk intended to impress the reader with your intelligence rather than your humanity?

Check your humanity. See if you can rewrite these sentences to make them clear, direct and human. Heck, see if you can even understand them. When you’re finished with each click the sentence to compare your rewrite with the actual saying.

1. Visible vapors that issue from carbonaceous materials are a harbinger of imminent conflagration.

your rewrite

1. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

2. A revolving mass of lithic conglomerates does not accumulate a congery of small bryophitic plants.

your rewrite

2. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

3. Top leadership helicoptered this vision.

your rewrite

3. the boss is looking past next week.

4. Your job, for the time being, has been designed as retained.

your rewrite

4. you’re not fired yet.