How to Tactfully Use Business Abbreviations and Emojis at Work (2024)

Acronyms and abbreviations have developed as their own language in the texting sphere and the social media world in the last few decades. With the rise of cellphones and social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, our online communication has naturally evolved to favor brevity and also, interestingly enough, expressiveness.

With the emergence of internal communication tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, more and more people are transferring this new diction of abbreviations and emojis into their workplace communication.

Is this acceptable? Many studies have stated that yes, it is, but we should use them with discretion.

In this post, we take you through a history of texting acronyms/abbreviations and emojis and then delve into how these have started to take root in workplace communication. We end the blogpost by explaining how to use and apply this new language tactfully in business settings.

*Disclaimer: We will be using abbreviations to encompass both acronyms and abbreviations from here onwards.

Table of content

• What are texting abbreviations?
• 50 texting abbreviations and their meanings
• Where do emojis fit into all of this?
• Abbreviations and emojis at work
• How to tactfully use abbreviations at work
• How about emojis at the workplace?
• When should abbreviations and emojis not be used at the workplace?
• Glossary for workplace abbreviations  
• Conclusion

What are texting abbreviations? 💬

Texting abbreviations, also known as SMS shorthand or texts, are shortened versions of words or phrases commonly used in text messages and online communication to convey information quickly and efficiently.

The history of texts can be traced back to the early days of mobile messaging, particularly with the advent of Short Message Service (SMS) technology in the 1990s. As SMS became increasingly popular as a means of communication, users began to develop shorthand abbreviations to convey messages more efficiently within the constraints of character limits and limited typing capabilities on mobile phones.

The occurrence and popularity of these abbreviations have continually increased in digital communication due to the constraints of character limits, the desire for brevity, and the fast-paced nature of texting and instant messaging platforms.

50 texting abbreviations and their meanings 📱

Where do emojis fit into all of this? 👍

Emojis are small digital icons or symbols used to convey emotions, ideas, or concepts in electronic communication. Over the years, emojis have become a natural companion to texting abbreviations.

Emojis help to easily convey emotions or expressions. They also add nuance, tone, and context to their messages, making messages more expressive and engaging.

Additionally, they add an extra layer to textual communication by helping to convey emotions that text alone would not be able to capture.

Below is a timeline of emojis and their presence in the online world:

Here are the top ten emojis used in 2023

1. 😂 Face with Tears of Joy

2.  🤣 Rolling on the Floor Laughing

3.  ❤️ Red Heart

4.  🙏 Folded Hands

5.  😭 Loudly Crying Face

6.  😍 Smiling Face with Heart-Eyes

7.  ✨ Sparkles

8.  🔥 Fire

9.  😊 Smiling Face with Smiling Eyes

10. 🥰 Smiling Face with Hearts

Abbreviations and emojis at the workplace 💼

No longer are abbreviations and emojis deemed as unacceptable. They have been a growing presence in internal communications at work.

When I worked at Airbnb, we had an "Air-dictionary," which was a glossary filled with abbreviations specific to Airbnb work. For example, we would say "reso" for "reservation" because the word was too long to type. This abbreviation was understood across Airbnb as "reservation." However, I also knew that if I used this term "reso" with people outside of Airbnb, they would be very confused and I would have to provide a long explanation about this abbreviation.

How to tactfully use abbreviations at the workplace 🖊️

Abbreviations can be used, but with caution.

Abbreviations can be an efficient method to shorten communication and build a sense of camaraderie, but they run the risk of creating nonsensical and unnecessary diction and excluding others.

Elon Musk famously decried the overuse of abbreviations in a company-wide email to SpaceX.

Elon Musk explains all the negative implications that could occur when using acronyms in this short paragraph.

"There is a creeping tendency to use made up acronyms at SpaceX. Excessive use of made up acronyms is a significant impediment to communication and keeping communication good as we grow is incredibly important. Individually, a few acronyms here and there may not seem so bad, but if a thousand people are making these up, over time the result will be a huge glossary that we have to issue to new employees. No one can actually remember all these acronyms and people don’t want to seem dumb in a meeting, so they just sit there in ignorance. This is particularly tough on new employees." - Elon Musk

How should you use abbreviations at the workplace then?

You can use the most commonly understood ones, but use them only with people you trust; even then, use them with discretion.

At the same time, you can also educate yourself on different abbreviations to avoid being the one sitting in a meeting in ignorance.

If you have to use a technical abbreviation that is uncommon, be sure to first spell out the term and then enclose its abbreviation in brackets. From then on, you will be free to use this abbreviation throughout your written work.

How about emojis at the workplace? 📋

Emojis can also be used, but with caution.

Emojis are more universal than abbreviations and have become increasingly acceptable, as a fun and engaging way to converse with someone. Many people had initially been hesitant to use emojis in the workplace, but the tides have changed. Emojis have shown to reap a lot of positive benefits.

That said, emojis can be ambiguous and have the possibility of being misunderstood.

Below is an infographic that shows the general benefits that emoji usage brings to a workplace.

How should you use emojis at the workplace then?

Like abbreviations, emojis should only be used in internal communication and between close colleagues or people with whom you have an understanding.

Content-wise, use the emojis that have the least possibility of misunderstanding, such as a thumbs up, if you want to be seen as professional and avoid any misinterpretations.

When should abbreviations and emojis not be used at the workplace? ❌

The medium and recipient of the message would determine whether you can use abbreviations and emojis. We have listed a couple of situations in which you should avoid abbreviations and emojis entirely.

1. Formal business correspondence: Emails to clients, partners, or stakeholders.
2. Professional reports: Formal reports, proposals, or presentations.
3. Official documents: Contracts, agreements, or legal documents.
4. Job applications and resumes: Cover letters, resumes, or job applications.
5. Professional networking: LinkedIn messages or professional networking platforms.
6. Professional meetings: Discussions during formal meetings or presentations.
7. Client-facing communications: Customer support interactions or client meetings.
8. Technical documentation: Instructions, manuals, or technical guides.
9. Academic or educational settings: Research papers, academic presentations, or educational materials.
10. Serious or sensitive topics: Discussions involving serious or sensitive subjects require professionalism and clarity.

Glossary for workplace abbreviations📚

We are providing a list of abbreviations associated with professional communication, business, and marketing, so that you can remain knowledgeable about the changing jargon at your workplace and fully participate in important meetings.

Professional communication

OOO : Out of Office

e.g. OOO – Out of office until 08/23

Using "OOO" typically involves adding it to the subject line or body of an email to indicate that you are currently unavailable. You can also use it on a status update on Slack before you head out for your PTO.  

EOW : End of Week

e.g. Please hand in the presentation by EOW.

"EOW" is used in workplace communication to indicate deadlines or expectations for tasks, projects, or deliverables to be completed by the end of the workweek, ensuring timely progress and effective time management. 

EOD : End of Day       

e.g. We need to finalize the report by EOD.

"EOD" signifies the deadline or expectation for tasks or assignments to be completed by the conclusion of the workday, facilitating timely progress and effective time management in the workplace.  

COB: Close of Business

e.g. Please provide the receipt by COB today.

"COB" refers to the end of the business day or the time when operations cease, typically marked by the completion of daily tasks, meetings, and transactions within a company or organization.

RSVP: Please Respond

e.g. Please RSVP to confirm her attendance.

RSVP stands for "Répondez s'il vous plaît," which is French for "please respond." It is commonly used on invitations to request a response from guests indicating whether they will attend an event or not.

N/A : Not Applicable      

e.g. Marital Status: N/A

"N/A" indicates that a particular item, question, or category does not apply to the situation or context being discussed.

TBD: To Be Determined     

e.g. The venue for the retreat is TBD.

"TBD" indicates that a decision or outcome has not yet been finalized or specified.

ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival  

e.g. Our delivery team will provide you with an ETA for the arrival.

"ETA" represents the anticipated time when a person or object is expected to reach a particular destination or location.

• NWR – Not Work-Related

e.g. NWR discussions during lunch breaks can help foster team camaraderie and reduce workplace stress.

"NWR" indicates that a topic, conversation, or activity does not pertain to work or professional matters.

• Re – Referring To

e.g. Subject: Re: Project Proposal Meeting

"Re" is commonly used in email subject lines or headers to indicate the subject or topic being addressed in a response or communication.

• CC – Copy To

e.g. I will CC you on the email to the client so that you can stay informed about the project updates.

"CC" indicates that a person or multiple people are being copied on an email for informational purposes.

• ASAP – As Soon As Possible

e.g. Please review and return the contract ASAP so we can proceed with finalizing the deal.

"ASAP" indicates a request or requirement for something to be done with urgency and minimal delay.

• IMO – In My Opinion

e.g. IMO, the new company policy will greatly benefit employee morale and productivity.

"IMO" indicates that the statement or viewpoint being expressed is subjective and represents the speaker's personal perspective rather than an objective fact.

• LMK – Let Me Know

e.g. Could you review the proposal and LMK if you have any feedback or suggestions?

"LMK" is a casual expression used to request information or updates from someone. It indicates a desire for the recipient to inform the speaker about a particular matter.

• NVM – Never Mind

e.g. I found the information I needed on the website, NVM about the document you were going to send me.

"NVM" indicates that the previous statement or request is being dismissed or is no longer relevant. It's commonly used to retract or negate a previous message or inquiry.

• TL;DR – Too Long, Didn’t Read

e.g. I wrote a lengthy report, but here's the TL;DR version: our sales increased by 15% last quarter.

"TL;DR" indicates a summary or brief overview of a longer piece of text or content. It's often used to acknowledge that the reader hasn't read the entire text and provide a condensed version for convenience.

• FYI – For Your Information

e.g. FYI, the meeting has been rescheduled for 2:00 PM tomorrow.

"FYI" indicates that the recipient should be aware of the information provided, but no immediate action is required. It's commonly used to share information or updates with others.

• POC – Point of Contact

e.g. Please contact Sarah Smith, our POC for the event, if you have any questions or need further information.

"POC" refers to an individual or entity designated as the primary liaison for communication or coordination on a particular matter or project. It's commonly used to identify who to reach out to for inquiries, updates, or assistance.

• BTW – By the Way

e.g. BTW, I wanted to remind you about the team meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 10:00 AM.

"BTW" is a phrase used to introduce additional or tangential information in conversation or written communication. It's commonly used to add supplementary details or comments.

General business

• CEO - Chief Executive Officer

e.g. The CEO of the company announced a new strategic initiative aimed at expanding into international markets.

The CEO is the highest-ranking executive in a company and is responsible for making major corporate decisions, managing overall operations and resources, and representing the company to stakeholders both internally and externally.

• CFO - Chief Financial Officer

e.g. The CFO presented the company's quarterly financial report to the board of directors.

The CFO is a top executive responsible for managing the financial actions of a company.

• COO - Chief Operating Officer

e.g. The COO implemented new operational procedures that streamlined production and increased efficiency across the organization.

The COO is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a company.

• CTO - Chief Technology Officer

e.g. The CTO is leading the development of innovative software solutions to enhance the company's digital capabilities and improve customer experiences.

The CTO is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the technological direction of a company.

• CMO - Chief Marketing Officer

e.g. The CMO spearheaded a comprehensive digital marketing campaign that resulted in a significant increase in brand visibility and customer engagement.

A CMO is a top executive responsible for overseeing all aspects of a company's marketing efforts.

• HR - Human Resources

e.g. The HR department is conducting interviews to fill the vacant position in the marketing team.

HR is a department within an organization that is responsible for managing the people-related aspects of the business.

• IT - Information Technology

e.g. Our company relies heavily on IT to maintain our online presence and manage our digital assets efficiently.

IT encompasses the use of computer systems, software, networks, and other technologies to manage and process information.

• CRM - Customer Relationship Management

e.g. The company implemented a CRM system to centralize customer data and improve communication with clients.

CRM refers to a strategy and technology used by businesses to manage interactions with current and potential customers.

• ROI - Return on Investment

e.g. The marketing team analyzed the ROI of their recent advertising campaign to determine its effectiveness in generating revenue for the company.

ROI is a financial metric used to evaluate the profitability or efficiency of an investment.

• KPI - Key Performance Indicator

e.g. The sales team monitors several KPIs, including conversion rate and customer acquisition cost.

KPI is a measurable value that indicates how effectively a company is achieving its key business objectives and goals.

• B2B - Business-to-Business

e.g. Our company specializes in providing B2B marketing solutions tailored to help businesses reach their target audience effectively.

B2B refers to transactions or interactions between two businesses rather than between a business and individual consumers.

• B2C - Business-to-Consumer

e.g. The company sells its products directly to consumers through B2C channels.

B2C refers to transactions or interactions between a business and individual consumers. In B2C commerce, businesses sell products or services directly to end-users for personal consumption or use.

• SME - Small and Medium-sized Enterprise

e.g. The SME sector plays a crucial role in driving economic growth and innovation in many countries around the world.

SME is a business with a limited number of employees and relatively low annual revenue compared to larger corporations.

• IPO - Initial Public Offering

e.g. The technology startup announced plans for an IPO to raise funds for its upcoming expansion projects.

An IPO is the process through which a privately-held company offers shares of its stock to the public for the first time.

• M&A - Mergers and Acquisitions

e.g. The M&A team is currently evaluating potential acquisition targets to expand the company's market presence.

M&A refers to the process of combining two companies through various types of financial transactions. In a merger, two companies of roughly equal size agree to join forces to become a single entity. In an acquisition, one company buys another, often as a means of expanding its market presence or gaining access to new technologies, products, or geographical areas.

• P&L - Profit and Loss

e.g. The finance department analyzed the P&L statement to assess the company's financial performance for the fiscal year.

P&L is a financial statement that summarizes the revenues, expenses, and resulting profit or loss of a business over a specific period of time.

• R&D - Research and Development

e.g. The pharmaceutical company allocated a significant portion of its budget to R&D initiatives.

R&D refers to the activities undertaken by a company or organization to innovate, create new products or services, and improve existing ones.

• SOP - Standard Operating Procedure

e.g. All employees are required to follow the SOP for handling confidential information.

SOP is a set of step-by-step instructions or guidelines established by an organization to standardize routine processes and ensure consistency, quality, and compliance with regulations or best practices.

• SWOT - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

e.g. We performed a SWOT analysis to assess our competitive position in the market.

SWOT is a strategic planning tool used to identify and analyze the internal strengths and weaknesses of a business, as well as the external opportunities and threats it faces in the marketplace.

Marketing terms

• SEO - Search Engine Optimization

e.g. The digital marketing team implemented SEO strategies to improve the company's website visibility.

SEO refers to the process of optimizing a website or online content to improve its visibility and ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs).

• SEM - Search Engine Marketing

e.g. The company invested in SEM campaigns to increase its online visibility.

SEM involves promoting websites by increasing their visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) through paid advertising methods such as pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns.

• PPC - Pay-Per-Click

e.g. The digital marketing team allocated a portion of the budget to PPC advertising to target specific keywords.

PPC is an online advertising model where advertisers pay a fee each time their ad is clicked. It is commonly used in search engine advertising, social media advertising, and display advertising to drive traffic to websites and generate leads or sales.

• CTR - Click-Through Rate

e.g. The marketing team analyzed the email campaign's CTR to gauge the effectiveness of the subject lines.

CTR is a metric used to measure the percentage of people who click on a specific link or advertisement out of the total number of individuals who view it.

• CPC - Cost-Per-Click

e.g. The company optimized its online advertising campaign to improve CPC by targeting more relevant keywords.

CPC stands for Cost-Per-Click, which is a pricing model used in online advertising where advertisers pay a fee each time their ad is clicked. It is a common metric in pay-per-click (PPC) advertising campaigns.

• CPM - Cost-Per-Thousand Impressions

e.g. The company analyzed CPM rates to select the most efficient advertising platforms.

CPM refers to the price an advertiser pays for one thousand impressions or views of their advertisement. CPM is a common pricing model used in online advertising, particularly for display ads and banner ads.

• ROI - Return on Investment

e.g. The marketing campaign generated a high ROI, resulting in significant revenue growth for the company.

ROI is a financial metric used to evaluate the profitability or efficiency of an investment relative to its cost. ROI measures the ratio of net profit generated from an investment to the initial cost of the investment, expressed as a percentage or ratio.

• CTA - Call to Action

e.g. The website's homepage features a prominent CTA button, encouraging visitors to sign up for the company's newsletter.

CTA refers to a prompt or instruction designed to encourage a desired response or action from the audience.

• CMS - Content Management System

e.g. The marketing team used the CMS to update the website's content and publish new blog posts.

A CMS is a software application or platform that allows users to create, manage, and publish digital content on the web without requiring technical expertise.

• USP - Unique Selling Proposition

e.g. The company's USP lies in its commitment to using sustainable materials in manufacturing.

USP refers to the distinctive feature or characteristic of a product, service, or brand that sets it apart from competitors and provides a compelling reason for customers to choose it over alternatives.

• A/B Testing - Split Testing

e.g. The team used A/B testing to optimize website performance.

A/B testing, also known as split testing, is a method used in marketing and web design to compare two versions of a webpage, email, advertisement, or other content to determine which one performs better.

• SMM - Social Media Marketing

e.g. The team implemented an effective SMM strategy to boost brand presence on social media.

SMM refers to the use of social media platforms and websites to promote a product or service and engage with audiences to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, and generate leads or sales.

• CRO - Conversion Rate Optimization

e.g. CRO techniques boosted website conversions, enhancing customer engagement and sales.

CRO involves improving website performance to increase the percentage of visitors who take a desired action, such as making a purchase or signing up.

• UX - User Experience

e.g. The UX team improved website satisfaction through research-driven enhancements.

UX refers to the quality of interaction users have with a product, system, or service, aiming to optimize usability and satisfaction.

• GA - Google Analytics

e.g. The marketing team analyzed GA data to identify website traffic patterns and optimize online advertising campaigns for better performance.

GA is Google Analytics, a tool for tracking website traffic and user behavior, enabling data-driven decisions to improve user experience and achieve business objectives.

• SERP - Search Engine Results Page

e.g. When you search for "best pizza in town" on Google, the SERP will display a list of local pizza restaurants along with reviews and ratings.

SERP is the page displayed by search engines in response to a user's query. It typically includes a list of organic search results, paid advertisements, featured snippets, and other relevant content based on the search query.

Conclusion

To abbreviate or not to abbreviate? To use an emoji or not use an emoji? Those are the questions. The rule of thumb at the workplace should be to acquaint yourself with common abbreviations, but only use common abbreviations and universally understood emojis with people with whom you have an understanding. If you want to be more cautious, first practice them with people close to you who fully understand your personality and communication style.

Talk to you later (TTYL) in another blog post from Engram. 👋

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