MarketWatch · 23 Oct, 12:30 · Finance briefing

Smart financial advisers are dropping ROI, NAV and QCD for plain English when talking to clients

Financial advisers are increasingly abandoning technical jargon such as ROI, NAV, and QCD in favour of plain English when communicating with clients.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Financial advisers are increasingly abandoning technical jargon such as ROI, NAV, and QCD in favour of plain English when communicating with clients. This shift, highlighted by MarketWatch, reflects a broader industry move towards clearer, more accessible language. The trend suggests that clarity now outweighs technical precision in client interactions, aiming to improve understanding and trust. Professionals are advised to simplify their terminology to ensure clients fully grasp financial concepts without confusion or misinterpretation.

Employer demand for Business And Management skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

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You must prioritise clear communication over technical complexity. This shift elevates the value of plain-language skills and emotional intelligence, making them critical for career advancement in advisory roles. If you rely on jargon to appear expert, you risk alienating clients who seek transparency. Pay close attention if you work in finance, law, or consulting, where clarity drives trust. A smart professional would immediately audit their client communications, replacing acronyms with simple explanations. Invest in courses on persuasive writing and active listening. You should practice translating complex data into relatable narratives. This approach not only retains clients but also differentiates you in a crowded market, proving that accessibility is a competitive advantage.

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Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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