Business and Tech Terms and Jargon | How-to Guides for running your business from Business.com

If you're just starting out in business, much of the terminology that others seem to take for granted may seem like total Greek to you. Sales people especially like to toss around tech terms and other industry jargon like we should all know what it means. And even if you've been in business for years you can easily encounter unfamiliar terms as your business grows and you take on even more responsibilities. And then, of course, there's the whole realm of technology and the Internet where new terms are invented almost daily. Just understanding the language of the Web can be challenging. Wouldn't it be nice to have a series of Web-based "cheat sheets" that you could look to for help defining the terms and jargon that have you stumped? Becoming fluent in "biz-speak" or "tech-speak" can be as simple as 1, 2, 3:

When you encounter an unfamiliar term, don't just brush it aside or pretend like you know what it means.
Fire up your PC and run a quick check on the mysterious moniker via the term-cracking solutions below.
File the answers in your memory banks, but resist the urge to talk business jargon to others who might not have the same knowledge. Plain English often works best in the end.

Business.com's "What Works for Business" blog is a great way to keep up with the latest solutions, trends and strategies for small and medium business. Updates daily.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Discover your definitions at online business-specific references

A simple site like the Dictionary of Small Business can be a life-saver when you need a quick business term lookup.

I recommend: Bookmark Dictionary of Small Business so you'll have it handy when you need help. This refreshing site doesn't carry ads, so it's easy on the eyes. Definitions are short and easy to find in the alphabetical index. The Glossary of Financial and Business Terms on The New York Times Web site is another excellent source.

For computer and Internet definitions, use your computer and the Internet

The problem with some tech dictionaries is that the definitions are harder to understand than the term itself. But the tech experts at Internet.com have created a great online dictionary and search engine for quick and easy-to-understand computer and Internet-technology definitions.

I recommend: Webopedia works like a search engine. Type in your term and the definition pops up. You can search broadly or choose a category such as networking, software, wireless, etc. Even if the definition uses other unfamiliar terms, they will likely be linked to their definitions as well.

Stay timely - take the pulse of the latest tech terms

Want to impress others with your knowledge of cutting edge tech? Check regularly for new terms. You'll be surprised by how many there are.

I recommend: Get the absolute latest at the "New Terms" section of Webopedia. They also have a Term of the Day.

Alleviate your acronym anger

Acronyms - those annoying letter designations for a billion terms, names or phrases - can be very useful and maddening at the same time. In business, we encounter so many of them that it's next to impossible to keep them all straight.

I recommend: Acronym Finder is your answer. With more than 500,000 human-edited entries, this super-useful site is the world's most comprehensive dictionary of acronyms and abbreviations. Categories include Information Technology (71,000 definitions) and Business & Finance (58,000 definitions). A few examples: BOE, CEO, EBIDTA, FOB, GAAP, IKEA, IPO, MLS, P&L, TVM.

Put a wiki to work

But what the heck is a "wiki" you may be asking?

I recommend: Wiki defined. Now put wiki power to work by searching your term at Wikipedia, the most popular wiki on the Web.

Dive into accounting terminology

Consider a specialized resource for checking finance and accounting terms.

I recommend: The New York State Society of CPAs has a helpful Accounting Terminology Guide available free online.

Take your definitions deeper

If it's more than a simple definition you need, consider a full-blown business research library that can help.

I recommend: Since 1921, the James J. Hill Library has housed a world-class collection of practical business information resources and is considered one of the best business libraries in America. Even better, the James J. Hill Reference Library specializes in serving the information needs of small business.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Help your employees and other associated with your business understand key terms as well. Compile your own in-house dictionary of terms associated with your particular industry.
Help your customers understand terminology, too. Create a customer-centered version of your in-house dictionary with special emphasis on plain-English explanations of terms they may encounter.

The official source of Business and Tech Terms and Jargon is
the Professional Development page at Business.com

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