Speaking in hieroglyphics

“Creation of a Hybrid Cloud infrastructure to host the new Business Intelligence services with outsourcing of IT Managed Services.”

No, it’s not a hieroglyphic.

It’s part of an IT services offer that a company owner has received.

He forwarded it to me by mail asking me if I could review it for him.

Which, basically, means if he could decipher it.


Let’s see… This was not as it really was.

Some of the words were in English.

So it looks more… professional?


Why do computer scientists speak such intelligible jargon?

Let’s take it one step at a time. This is not unique to computer scientists. The same is true if you go into almost any profession. It doesn’t matter if they are lawyers, electricians or even bricklayers.

There are technical words to describe certain jobs or elements that can only be explained correctly using those terms.

And that makes sense.

When they talk to each other, of course.


But there is something else.

It is that unique language that distinguishes the members of the cult from those who are laymen.

It’s that secret sign that allows us to quickly verify that the speaker is on the same level as us.

And that is good.

Using it among members of the sect is no big deal.

It’s cheaper than sticking your guild pin on the lapel of your sweatshirt.


The problem is when you use that language with people outside your sector.

The purpose of any message is to communicate something.

And communicating is not only the part of expressing a concept that the sender does.

It is also the part of interpreting it that the receiver does.

If, in this case, the customer is likely to be unable to interpret the message, then the sender has a problem.

Translate it into clear terms. Add a glossary. Sit down with him to ask him, “Do you want me to clarify something?

But don’t send it as is.

Do you risk them throwing away your offer because they simply don’t understand you?


Luckily, the business owner understands numbers. If the numbers convince them, then they may make the effort to seek clarification, either from the same supplier or, as in this case, from someone else they trust.


Before sending a message, think for a second.

Will my customer be able to understand clearly what I am offering, why he needs it and what he will get out of it?

What’s more, if you explain it well, you might make him see benefits of your offer that other competitors have been unable to explain.

And that’s a big advantage.

If you are not clear, show it to someone you trust who is not in your sector.

Your mother, your neighbour, your paddle partner.

And if it passes the cotton wool test, then fine. Hit send.