Wanna have some techy fun? Test yourself.
Which IT architecture processes data as close to the originating source as possible?
- edge computing
- contextual computing
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Technology seems to have shrunk the world to its smallest size as internet access, mobile phones, computers and gadgets speeded the ways the world bands and runs business via global communications. However, competitiveness between technology and users may sometimes diverge: technology advancements evolve like a bullet train, while users toddle in learning new processes and understanding technical jargons. Such challenge may defy focus to users in acquiring new skills and knowledge, more so, for marketers communicating with IT leads.
For IT experts, proficient practitioners or those adequately knowledgeable, usage and understanding of technical jargons is just like breathing air, but marketers may find it challenging like gasping for air.
Words like Security, Networking, Data Storage, Debugging etc. are a few familiar tech slangs to a vast of people but how would a marketer understand jargons like hybrid flash array, Converged infrastructure and ScaleIO?
Let’s first get to know some definition of terms to help us out.
Jargon is the language used for a particular activity or by a particular group of people (Merriam-Webster). The definition per se is simple and does not connote any complication at all, so why worry?
Marketing is the process or technique of promoting, selling and distributing a product or service. That means you may either follow a process or use a certain technique to market a product.
Alright, so let’s check out some techniques and helpful tips on understanding technical jargon when communicating with IT leads:
MSPblog says big words won’t make you sound smart all the time but being able to intelligibly express knowledge to others does.
- Speak at an appropriate pace so that you’ll be well understood by the prospect
- Pronounce words clearly
- Simplify the words you use especially jargons so that the prospect would do the same
Related: Don’t be Annoying: 3 Sales Mistakes that Make You Look Dumb
MSPblog added that most decision makers are focused on doing business and are more interested to know how you can help them instead of hearing you techno-speak.
- Your introduction speech about the product should be short and simple, remember decision makers are busy most of the time and can only spend around 5 minutes for a discussion.
- Let the prospect speak and answer their question to your best capability; probe to discover the prospect’s needs
- Position the benefits of your product for the prospect
Related: Why You Shouldn’t Ask, “Is this a bad time to talk?”
But how do you deal with prospects who speak technical jargons that sound strange to you?
- Simply excuse yourself and politely ask for further clarification of the word or statement
- Or you may verify the meaning by rephrasing
- Take note of the jargons spoken by the prospect and double check using references like retailtoolbox.com.au or whatis.techtarget.com
Enhance comprehensive communication between you and IT prospects by intelligibly expressing knowledge, focusing on how you can help them and verifying word meanings that you hardly understand. This will ensure quality on your IT leads and Deep learning about understanding technical jargon to improve your marketing sales pitches and tactics.
