Teddy Cheek

Jargon: The Marketing Smoke Bomb

You know in movies when a ninja drops a smoke bomb so they can make a stealthy escape? 

It’s not just ninjas that use smoke bombs. Marketers do it too.

Here’s what I mean:

An executive asks a difficult question and BOOM the marketer disappears into a cloud of complicated jargon. 

By using jargon, the marketer raises points no one can challenge and starts a discussion no one can participate in. The truth is safely obscured in the fog. 

It seems like a sound strategy. You get to avoid the question and sound like a marketing genius.

But in truth, company leadership is smart and can see what you’re doing. If your goal is credibility, the smoke bomb is a credibility killer. 

The truth is, marketing jargon doesn’t make you sound smart.

Explaining complex marketing concepts in a succinct way that non-marketers can understand is what shows real mastery of the topic.

About Teddy Cheek

Hi, I’m Teddy

I’ve led marketing teams since 2013. I believe that good leadership is marketing’s only cheat code. More important than tactics or talent, it can send a team into hyperdrive. Fortunately for me, it’s a skill that can be developed. I hope my blog helps you build a dominant team and career you love.

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