Business glossary and internal language

Agreeing what your own words mean. Prevents an entire class of confusion.

What it means

An internal glossary defines the terms the business uses — what counts as a lead, an active customer, a completed job, revenue.

Why it matters

Two departments using the same word differently produces reports that disagree and meetings that go in circles.

What it looks like in practice

Define the handful that appear in reporting: lead, opportunity, customer, churn, complete. Write them down where the reports are.\n\nIt is the same discipline as a chart of accounts, applied to non-financial data.

What to watch out for

Definitions that drift when somebody changes a report. Version the definitions with the reports.

Where to get proper advice

Your own figures.