Business metaphors are words or phrases that make direct reference to a company or person as a point of illustration, helping managers and employees better understand the company and its operating environment. They are usually informal speech and can become jargon in a company.
A business metaphor is a word or phrase that makes direct reference to a company or person as a point of illustration. For example, companies often label sales departments with high sales as cash cows. An individual who does not make decisions or execute operations due to impending change may be a lame duck. The uses of a business metaphor are almost endless in the course of a business and its normal operations. In some cases, companies may label themselves using metaphors, such as a supertanker or a three-ring circus, as in big and slow or with many departments vying for attention.
Companies use metaphors to draw pictures in people’s minds. This often helps managers and employees better understand the company and its operating environment or management style. In many ways, using a business metaphor is an analogous statement. It compares a complex or difficult-to-understand business concept or operation to an easily relatable belief or situation. It could be said that working for a company is like urinating in a pond; you see the activity, but it has little lasting effect on the business.
Many companies often use business metaphors that are universal. This allows everyone in the company to get the meaning or understanding of the words. Long-term managers and employees are often the individuals who use business metaphors to describe the business. The reason for this comes from access to higher business decisions or departments and the length of employment of employees. For example, a long-term employee might describe the owner as Queen Elizabeth I, an analogy for a powerful individual who sits in a dysfunctional company.
The use of a business metaphor is usually informal speech in business terms. While an individual may use these terms as highlights in formal text, they are usually infrequent. A common reason for this comes from the lack of understanding outsiders may have of the company’s internal business environment. Improper use of business metaphors can create confusion and may even lead an outsider to draw incorrect conclusions about the company. To that end, informal conversations or internal business meetings may be the best place to use business metaphors.
The heavy use of metaphors can become jargon in a company. Jargon is unnecessary language and difficult for individuals to understand. Boil the ocean, view from 10,000 feet, come to Jesus meeting, and best of breed are some examples of business jargon. These may be more colloquial phrases than actual business metaphors, which tend to be more purposeful than jargon.
Asset Smart.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
