10 Professional Synonyms for “Nice-to-Have”

Sometimes, we want to suggest something that would be nice but isn’t critical. Using the phrase “nice-to-have” can be too casual for some settings.

This article explores ten alternatives that fit professional environments better, explaining when and how to use them effectively.

Is It Professional to Say “Nice-to-Have”?

The phrase itself is informal and polite, but not always considered formal. It’s a handy way to express that something would be beneficial or appreciated, but not essential. This phrase is most suitable in situations where you’re talking to colleagues or clients with whom you have a somewhat casual relationship. It’s great for emails, meetings, and presentations where a relaxed, yet respectful, tone is acceptable.

Email example:

Greetings Team,

In our quest to make the employee onboarding process as smooth as possible, I've compiled a list of suggested improvements. A dedicated mobile app for onboarding tasks would be a nice-to-have, enhancing newcomer experiences without being critical to the onboarding itself.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Best,
Alex

Pros:

• Indicates that something is beneficial without being essential.
• Helps maintain a light and approachable tone in discussions.
• Useful for expressing extra, non-critical suggestions.

Cons:

• May not be suitable in very formal or high-stakes contexts.
• Could be perceived as too casual or vague in detailed proposals.
• May imply a lack of commitment to the idea being suggested.

While “nice-to-have” is a useful phrase, there might be times when you want to switch to a synonym or alternative expression. This could be because you’re looking for a term that fits a more formal context, or when you wish to convey a slightly different nuance. Finding the right synonym or alternative can help you precisely match the tone and formality of your message to its intended audience.

10 Other Ways to Say “Nice-to-Have”

When working in a professional setting, it can be useful to have a variety of ways to express that something would be beneficial but not essential. Here are ten professional alternatives to “nice-to-have” that fit well in workplace emails.

1. Beneficial Addition

This alternative is similar to “nice-to-have” but suggests that the addition has clear benefits. It compares by emphasizing the added value something brings. This term is professional and suitable for formal or informal workplace emails, especially when proposing new features or services.

It works best in situations where you want to highlight the practical advantages of an addition without implying it’s essential. The phrase fits well with both colleagues and external partners, and is ideal for email communications.

Here’s a sample email:

Greetings Team,

As we refine our strategy, incorporating a customer feedback tool feels like a beneficial addition. This could offer us direct insights and foster better engagement.

Best,
Liam

2. Useful Feature

“Useful Feature” shifts the focus onto the functionality of the proposed addition, similar to “nice-to-have” but with an emphasis on utility. It’s a professional, straightforward choice that’s slightly more formal. This term is especially suitable when addressing specific functionalities or tools in project proposals or team discussions.

This is a great alternative when you’re discussing enhancements that could improve efficiency or user experience. It’s more suited to communications with colleagues within the same department, where you’re delving into the specifics of what could be added to a project or system.

Here’s an email example:

Hello Team,

Considering user feedback, I believe a dark mode setting would be a useful feature for our app. Let's discuss its potential in our next meeting.

Regards,
Elena

3. Helpful Extra

By using “Helpful Extra,” there’s an implication that the addition is not just nice but also offers tangible assistance or improvement. This term is informal yet polite and sits well in messages that aim to suggest enhancements or additions in a friendly manner.

This alternative shines in emails focused on brainstorming or suggesting small but meaningful improvements. It’s perfect for internal communications with team members or with departments you have a close working relationship with.

Email example:

Dear Colleagues,

Quick thought—adding a quick-access toolbar for frequently used functions could be a helpful extra for our software. 

Cheers,
Mitch

4. Desirable Option

“Desirable Option” conveys a sense of preference and appeal, similar to “nice-to-have” but with a slightly more formal nuance. It’s a professional choice that suggests the option in question would be favorably received.

It is better suited for situations in which you wish to suggest an addition that has significant support or interest among stakeholders or team members. This phrase is most apt for emails to management or in discussions where you’re building a case for a particular feature or policy.

Email example:

Dear Project Team,

Exploring external partnerships for our new initiative is a desirable option we should consider to expand our reach.

Kind regards,
Sophie

5. Added Perk

The phrase “Added Perk” suggests an extra benefit or bonus, maintaining the positive connotation of “nice-to-have” but with an upbeat, informal tone. It implies something that not only adds value but might also increase satisfaction or morale.

This phrase is particularly effective in messages aimed at enhancing team enthusiasm about a potential improvement or addition—ideal for internal emails and less formal discussions, especially with teams that value a casual yet professional atmosphere.

Email example:

Hey Team,

Securing a company-wide subscription to a wellness app could serve as an added perk for everyone's health and happiness.

Best,
Jordan

6. Valuable Asset

Opting for “Valuable Asset” elevates the suggestion by framing it as something of substantial value, akin to “nice-to-have” but richer in terms of potential contribution. This term is professional and leans towards a more formal tone, making it suitable for discussions where you want to underscore the importance of a service or product.

It best suits communications with senior management or in client proposals where the inclusion of a particular feature or service can be seen as adding significant value to the primary offering.

Email example:

Dear Stakeholders,

Integrating advanced analytics capabilities would represent a valuable asset to our current service suite, enhancing our competitive edge.

Warm regards,
Taylor

7. Positive Enhancement

“Positive Enhancement” closely mirrors “nice-to-have” in sentiment but adds a layer of enthusiasm about the benefits. This professional alternative is great for suggesting improvements that could have a noticeable impact on performance or satisfaction.

This expression is particularly well-suited for internal project discussions or proposals, especially when you aim to build consensus around the adoption of new practices or technologies. It’s fitting for both formal and informal email communications within the organization.

Email example:

Hello Everyone,

Implementing a peer recognition program across departments seems like a positive enhancement to our culture and morale.

Cheers,
Hailey

8. Advantageous

Using “Advantageous” positions the suggestion as offering a clear advantage, conveying a similar but more succinct notion as “nice-to-have”. This term is professional and has a slight formal edge, which is perfect when you need to concisely communicate the benefits of a proposal.

This alternative is best when aiming to persuade recipients about the merits of adopting a new tool, process, or policy. It’s suitable for emails to management or in team discussions where concise argumentation is needed.

Email example:

Team,

Switching to a four-day workweek could prove advantageous for our team's productivity and work-life balance.

Regards,
Olivia

9. Good to Include

“Good to Include” strikes a balance between suggestion and recommendation, making it akin to “nice-to-have” but with a more informal undertone. This polite phrase is a versatile choice for emails, fitting for both internal and external communications.

It’s particularly effective in collaborative settings where you’re fleshing out the details of a project or initiative, and you want to put forward an idea without imposing it as a necessity.

Here’s an example email:

Hello Design Team,

In our upcoming project, a user feedback section would be good to include to gather real-time insights.

Best,
Zara

10. Welcome Addition

“Welcome Addition” suggests a high level of acceptability for the proposal, similar to “nice-to-have” but with a warmth that invites agreement. This term is professional, fitting, and polite, appropriate for both formal proposals and more casual team updates.

This expression works well in any scenario where you’re engaging with stakeholders or team members on potential improvements, innovations, or expansions. It’s equally effective in emails and meetings, particularly when aiming to foster a positive reception.

Email example:

Dear Team,

The introduction of team-building activities throughout the year would be a welcome addition to our workplace culture.

Kindest regards,
Leo

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right words in a professional setting can significantly impact how your messages are received. The ten alternatives to “nice-to-have” provided in this article offer a range of options that can match different levels of formality and situations. Whether in emails, meetings, or formal documents, using these alternatives can help convey your ideas more precisely. With these phrases, you can suggest enhancements and additions in a way that’s respectful, clear, and fitting for the workplace.