đź‘‹ Reader,
As detectives, we had roll call every day, where they shared important updates.
So, let's kick off this week with our version of the roll call.
🧑‍🏫 Advocating for UX Resources with NNg. It isn't too late to register for the FIRST session of this course. It is this Thursday and Friday! You can register here through the NNg website.
đź“° Make research relevant. The next cohort of Influential Research kicks off on January 30, 2025, at 8 am MST. You can join the 200+ satisfied students by registering here (save $100 off the Maven price here).
Now, let's talk language.
In my detective days, getting the lingo wrong during an undercover drug buy wasn't just embarrassing—it could get you killed.
Here's the thing: Whether you're working undercover or conducting product research, speaking the wrong "language" can destroy trust faster than a suspect spotting a wire.
Remember that scene in Inglourious Basterds? An undercover operative gets made because he orders three drinks using the wrong fingers. One tiny cultural detail, and suddenly... well, let's just say things got messy.
The same principle applies in research (minus the bloodbath):
- Talk to developers using PHP when they're a Python shop? Trust gone.
- Call it "percent" in fintech when they use "basis points"? Credibility shot.
- Use "bugs" when QA calls them "issues"? Amateur hour.
Look... anyone can memorize a discussion guide and fire off some cookie-cutter questions. But here's what separates the pros from the rookies:
True expertise means:
- Understanding the linguistic landscape
- Speaking their language naturally
- Demonstrating you've lived in their world
- Building trust through authentic communication
When you naturally drop "basis points" instead of "percent," you're not just using the right words. You're signaling:
- You've done your homework
- You respect their culture
- You understand their context
- You're worth their time
Here's how to level up your research game:
(1) Study Your Subjects. Learn their terminology, understand their daily challenges, know their tools and processes, and map their organizational culture.
(2) Build Your Linguistic Profile. Document industry-specific terms while noting company-specific language. Track role-based vocabulary and map common acronyms and shortcuts.
(3) Practice Natural Integration. Don't swing for the fences. Start small with key terms and build up to more complex concepts. Listen more than you speak and adapt to their communication style.
(4) Monitor and Adjust. Watch for confusion and note reactions to specific terms. Adjust your language in real-time and learn from any missteps.
The hard truth?
In research, just like in undercover work, you're either in or you're out. There's no middle ground. One wrong word can blow your cover and kill your chances of getting the insights you need.
But when you nail it and speak their language naturally and authentically, you unlock doors that no discussion guide or methodology could ever open.
Remember: While using the wrong terminology in research probably won't end with you in a bullet-riddled tavern (unlike some of my old detective work), it can leave your insights dead on the floor.
The bottom line: Learn the language. Live the culture. Build the trust.
Because in the end, speaking the "local dialect" isn't just about words—it's about proving you're someone worth talking to.
Stay frosty,
/ari
Real Quick...
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