In specialized industries like institutional finance and fintech, beware of writers and content professionals with knee-jerk reactions related to jargon, simplicity, and clarity. Those reactions are often biased and self-serving. Saying “it might be confusing” often just means “I don’t understand.”
- They often use the label “jargon” as a way to disguise their ignorance. Sometimes jargon is the simplest and most direct way to refer to a concept in communicating with an intended audience. With no context, “securitization” is jargon. If you’re writing for ABS issuers and investors, “securitization” is the only clear way to say what you mean. Just because they don’t understand doesn’t mean that you and your audience don’t understand.
- They often apply generic standards of simplicity and clarity. Maybe they read about them in a blog or on LinkedIn. But the reality is that those standards are relative. “Simple” and “clear” to a layperson might have nothing to do with what is simple and clear for an expert audience. Decoding complex concepts without the right audience in mind can distort your meaning. Yes, you might be able to describe options risk variables to “your grandmother,” but it won’t help you get a point across to traders and risk analysts at hedge funds. Who benefits? Not you or your intended readers.
In other words, watch out for generic conventional wisdom that doesn’t apply. Don’t let the pseudo-expertise of “content” (which is a non-thing) intimidate you into garbling what you intend to say.
