Business conversation is becoming more informal these days with the use of email and texting. The need to respond quickly has given birth to an entirely new vocabulary and acronyms. Many small business owners need to look them up to understand what people are talking about.
Here is your short guide to the most common acronyms and what they really mean:
EOM
End of Message. This is especially useful on mobile phones that only download the header for the message. By putting EOM in the title, the receiver knows that is the entire message and does not need to read further.
NRN
No Reply Necessary. A perennial favorite for the cluttered email box, this message means that it is FYI or “For Your Information” and does not need to be replied to (so don’t).
TLTR
Too Long to Read. Some people send long volumes of emails or very detailed text messages. This acronym is used to tell the sender to shorten it up and just send a summary. Sometimes it is written TL:DR or “ Too Long, Did Not Read.”
Y/N
Yes or No. This asks for a simple answer from the receiver. Any further explanation is not required. They may respond IDK or “I Don’t Know.”
EOD
End of Day. This typically refers to when a task will be completed by or sets a deadline. It is interchangeable with COB or by “Close of Business.” Another acronym used instead is PRB or “Please Reply By.” A longer time frame is signified as EOW or “End of Week.” This is the opposite of TYT or “Take Your Time.”
WFH
Working from Home. It is an increasingly popular option to not work in an office. This acronym is used to let the receiver know you are working, but will not be able to meet at the office. However, they are not OOO or “Out of the Office”.
LET
Leaving Early Today. Fewer jobs are 9 to 5 these days and this acronym is used to alert the receiver on a work schedule change.
SFW
Safe for Work. Many people are afraid to open attachments especially at work for fear of a virus. This signifies that it is okay to open whatever has been sent.
IMO or IMHO
In My (Humble) Opinion. No one wants to sound like they know everything at work. This adds humility to a response instead of stating it as fact. FWIW or “For What It’s Worth” can also be used.
ITT
In This Thread. Many times a receiver needs to follow the email thread to make sense of the entire conversation. This reminds them to read more.
BTW or “By The Way”, there are more acronyms that are important to know so you can LMAO. Look it up!
Republished by permission. Original here.
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Sarah Streep
These acronyms difficult to remember yet these are used in day to day texting. Sometimes it feels that I am reading garbage of acronyms. It has become habit now and I am used to.