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Here are my top twenty abbreviations that all baby boomers need to know to communicate with tech savvy Millennials.

Press play to watch this brief video (6:18) to learn 20 acronyms that Millennials use everyday in their messaging from the IT industry.


If the business slang (and jargon) in your inbox, from your clients, co-workers, or even your boss is starting to look more and more like the sender just bashed their head on the keyboard a few times, you’re not alone…

Millennials, like every generation, have their quirks

Brought on by faster and more efficient communication methods than ever, business slang, jargon, abbreviations, and acronyms are beginning to dominate the conversation these days—especially in certain industries.

With millennials growing to occupy the largest share of the workforce, their communication style is spreading faster than ever.

With all the business slang, jargon, abbreviations, and acronyms, comes more efficient (and possibly more fun) communication, but it can suck if you’re out of the loop. Just don’t discount them yet, PLZ.

Now, TBH if YDK WTF I’m saying here so far, hopefully this list will help you figure it TF out. YW, EOM.


About the Author:

Michael Martin has more than 35 years of experience in systems design for broadband networks, optical fibre, wireless and digital communications technologies.

He is a Senior Executive with IBM Canada’s Office of the CTO, Global Services. Over the past 14 years with IBM, he has worked in the GBS Global Center of Competency for Energy and Utilities and the GTS Global Center of Excellence for Energy and Utilities. He was previously a founding partner and President of MICAN Communications and before that was President of Comlink Systems Limited and Ensat Broadcast Services, Inc., both divisions of Cygnal Technologies Corporation (CYN: TSX).

Martin currently serves on the Board of Directors for TeraGo Inc (TGO: TSX) and previously served on the Board of Directors for Avante Logixx Inc. (XX: TSX.V). 

He serves as a Member, SCC ISO-IEC JTC 1/SC-41 – Internet of Things and related technologies, ISO – International Organization for Standardization, and as a member of the NIST SP 500-325 Fog Computing Conceptual Model, National Institute of Standards and Technology.

He served on the Board of Governors of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and on the Board of Advisers of five different Colleges in Ontario.  For 16 years he served on the Board of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), Toronto Section. 

He holds three master’s degrees, in business (MBA), communication (MA), and education (MEd). As well, he has diplomas and certifications in business, computer programming, internetworking, project management, media, photography, and communication technology.