What is the ETA on the CDC RFP? This is a TMI.

Have you ever worked for a company with so many acronyms that they provided you with a list of definitions? Or has the increasing use of abbreviations for texting and social media left you scratching your head?

Acronyms can be helpful and time-saving in internal groups with mutual understanding of their meaning. However, communication is impeded when listeners misunderstand the acronym. Some common acronyms with multiple meanings include:

FDA- Food and Drug Administration, Flying Dentists Association
TMI- Too Much Information, Top Management Issue
CDC- Centers for Disease Control, California Department of Conservation
FBI- Federal Bureau of Investigation, Food Borne Illness
AIM- AOL Instant Messenger, American Institute of Mathematics

One way to ensure you will communicate a meaningful message to external audiences is to model effective language with internal audiences. Clearly identifying acronyms internally will help you and your co-workers communicate more effectively with external audiences, including the media.

Remember as you communicate that conveying your message is most critical. Slow down and clearly identify what your acronym means to ensure your audience is on the same page as you.