For people working in tech, the appeal of buzzwords and complex terminology is ever-present. Automation is no different – but the industry does itself no favors by focusing on putting things into boxes with names, rather than delivering the actual value of the technology on offer.
Today we’re diving into a few bits of tech talk and we’ll hopefully build your automation glossary and dispel some myths about what is actually a very accessible set of tools.
The Real Value of Terminology
Tech terminology is important in understanding the definition and context of concepts. Once you start to understand the common acronyms it’s almost like being able to speak a new language and it can aid your learning as you dive into deeper topics. But – and it’s a big but – for most people complex jargon puts them off. First impressions are everything so when you want to engage a person you need to deliver your message without layering it in specialist slang.
Misleading Terminology in Automation
IA, RPA, BPA, WFM. Ok, that’s enough (!). There is an enormous amount of depth to each of those individual acronyms and the topics they represent. It’s so important to move past the names and understand the core concepts of the technologies. Once you understand them you can communicate them to others.
To someone who knows nothing about automation, the difference between Intelligent Automation and Robotic Process Automation could be anything. The same goes for Business Process Automation and Workflow Management. They are all concepts and technologies that represent real value for organizations if implemented correctly but you have to go deeper to demonstrate the differences and what the best choice is for a particular business case.
Don’t just let people google everything, leave the automation glossary at home, and instead, really explain how it works and what it does for a business.
A Stark Warning
It’s a problem that doesn’t just face tech though. It’s rife in finance and wider business with more jargon than you can shake a stick at. In our need to quantify and define, we often settle for surface-level definitions. After a quick search on another 3 letter acronym, we think we have a handle on a topic. But, the truth is, we don’t. More worrying still, is that while you might be the person who at least looks things up, many people just switch off when they are bombarded with technical talk.
If you’re talking to someone whose area of expertise isn’t the same as yours then tone it down with the techy lingo – you’ll have a more engaging conversation if they feel like they can participate. We always promise to cool it with the automation glossary and just speak to you about your business and how automation can help.
Want automation to add value to your business? Talk to PAteam today.
