Technology today gives you so many different ways to talk to people. The two keys for you are to first realize that "talking" is NOT the same as "communicating" and then, secondly, to figure out which method of communication will be best for your message.
More and more often now, men are proposing marriage to women through text messages. Really. Perhaps thinking, "Since we text each other all the time anyway, why not?", they shoot off a little missive that says "OMG, IDK, want 2 get married?" or something like that. How romantic. Even Miss Manners says, "texting, which is a lightweight way of conveying instant thoughts, is unsuitable" for proposals. The technology may be at your disposal and may be appropriate for certain messages, but it isn't appropriate for all.
We've discussed examples, in the past, of companies handling mass layoffs through E-mail. In casual conversation, you'll hear of some "jerk" who ended a relationship by voice mail or text. As the title of this post says, "Because you can, doesn't mean you should".
You can "talk" to people how ever you wish. "Talking" simply means that you're telling people things. They may or may not be listening, may or may not be understanding, and may or may not care about your message. But, you're sending the message anyway, because you're just "talking".
"Communicating" is something more and something completely different. Communication is about reaching someone with your message, affecting him or her in some way, and often eliciting a response from him or her. When you need to communicate, consider which method will be most effective in reaching the other person. It may not be the most convenient way for you, or your preferred method, but if it is more likely to reach the other person than it is the method to use. If they need an address and they need it now, text it. If they need an explanation and they need it now, call them. If they need information and lots of details, E-mail it. And if you want to get married, ask them face-to-face. Any message that is going to affect the other person emotionally should be delivered face-to-face so that you can see the effect you're having on him or her and gauge the response you get.
This is the type of advice and discussion you'll get in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing it.
Showing posts with label receivers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label receivers. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
You're in the shallow end more often now
Scientists are starting to see and measure the affects today's society and the Information Superhighway are having on people. Their findings directly affect the way you need to communicate today. Your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar will teach you and your group the skills they need to be heard in this environment.
The book, "The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains" says, among other things, that people who are becoming accustomed to instant everything - information, news, answers to questions both pertinent and mundane - are developing patterns of distracted and shallow thinking. When people are used to the immediacy of social media, of constant texting and phone calls, and of "always" being able to to access someone or something, their methods of processing information change.
Memory development and usage are no longer necessary - instead of trying to remember who sang a song or what the name of a song is, you now simply hold up your phone and it tells you the title and artist. Instead of remembering what year such-and-such occurred, you know you can always find it online. Your phone will tell you your schedule. Your car will tell you how to get somewhere. You may consider these to be amazing developments that have greatly increased the quality of life, but they also affect how people process information, including your message. No one needs to remember anything anymore. Sadly, that applies to your message, too.
On a social media site, you see that a friend did something, or posted a photo, or announced something that has happened to them. You respond as soon as you see it. That's great. But then, you move on to the next thing from someone else. And what your first friend did, showed, or announced is replaced in your memory.
Your message is a small part of a large amount of information that your receiver will see and hear in a given day. They'll digest it for an instant or two, and then move on to the next thing. You need to take that into consideration when you are crafting your message. Understand that subtlety is often lost because it takes too long to develop. Grab their attention early in your message and capture their imaginations in order to try to keep them. You CAN do it, but it takes some work.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing so. Once they get their noses out of their mobile devices, that is.
The book, "The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains" says, among other things, that people who are becoming accustomed to instant everything - information, news, answers to questions both pertinent and mundane - are developing patterns of distracted and shallow thinking. When people are used to the immediacy of social media, of constant texting and phone calls, and of "always" being able to to access someone or something, their methods of processing information change.
Memory development and usage are no longer necessary - instead of trying to remember who sang a song or what the name of a song is, you now simply hold up your phone and it tells you the title and artist. Instead of remembering what year such-and-such occurred, you know you can always find it online. Your phone will tell you your schedule. Your car will tell you how to get somewhere. You may consider these to be amazing developments that have greatly increased the quality of life, but they also affect how people process information, including your message. No one needs to remember anything anymore. Sadly, that applies to your message, too.
On a social media site, you see that a friend did something, or posted a photo, or announced something that has happened to them. You respond as soon as you see it. That's great. But then, you move on to the next thing from someone else. And what your first friend did, showed, or announced is replaced in your memory.
Your message is a small part of a large amount of information that your receiver will see and hear in a given day. They'll digest it for an instant or two, and then move on to the next thing. You need to take that into consideration when you are crafting your message. Understand that subtlety is often lost because it takes too long to develop. Grab their attention early in your message and capture their imaginations in order to try to keep them. You CAN do it, but it takes some work.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing so. Once they get their noses out of their mobile devices, that is.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
It's a phone, not an appendage
A recently published list of phone tips for job seekers serves as a good reminder for you, too. The column of tips mentioned several examples of what not to do when talking on the phone. Tales of hearing someone flush a toilet during a phone conversation, of having the other person's words drowned out by wind noise because he or she is outside while talking, and of radios, kids, and dogs being so loud in the background that communication is nearly impossible are becoming all too common today. As phone use becomes more and more ever-present in today's world, it's easy to forget that you should treat each conversation as a special opportunity to communicate with someone. And that means that you should give them your undivided attention.
The practice of talking on the phone while driving, while shopping, while typing, while ordering food at a restaurant, and even while watching TV, means that your phone conversation suffers and your other activity suffers, too (see the 5/1/12 blog post). Multitasking doesn't work. That's why people are dying and killing others along with them because they're trying to drive while on their phone or texting. When you stop whatever else you were doing and focus on your phone call and the person(s) at the other end of the call, you can concentrate on communicating. Then and only then can you use the skills you learn in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar to help you communicate effectively.
If it's important enough for you to call someone, or for them to call you, it's important enough for you to care about your conversation. Put the focus on the other person and think about your conversation from their perspective. Will they be able to hear and understand you? Do you need to have this conversation at a later time when it's quieter for each of you, or you have better cell reception? Can you finish your conversation without any interruptions from other sources? Take all of this into consideration and you will make a better impression on the other person, and you will enjoy a more effective conversation.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing so.
The practice of talking on the phone while driving, while shopping, while typing, while ordering food at a restaurant, and even while watching TV, means that your phone conversation suffers and your other activity suffers, too (see the 5/1/12 blog post). Multitasking doesn't work. That's why people are dying and killing others along with them because they're trying to drive while on their phone or texting. When you stop whatever else you were doing and focus on your phone call and the person(s) at the other end of the call, you can concentrate on communicating. Then and only then can you use the skills you learn in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar to help you communicate effectively.
If it's important enough for you to call someone, or for them to call you, it's important enough for you to care about your conversation. Put the focus on the other person and think about your conversation from their perspective. Will they be able to hear and understand you? Do you need to have this conversation at a later time when it's quieter for each of you, or you have better cell reception? Can you finish your conversation without any interruptions from other sources? Take all of this into consideration and you will make a better impression on the other person, and you will enjoy a more effective conversation.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing so.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
You need to have handouts
Today, when you speak to a group, the emphasis is always on handouts - have your handouts to the organizers by a certain date, rate the quality of the speaker's handouts on the evaluation form, print out your slides and use them as handouts, etc.
This won't make you popular with the people who asked you to speak, but you should do all that you can to fight the handout fetish. Considering today's short attention spans and considering the "clutter" of everyday life in terms of forms of communication and various stimuli, handouts are a distraction instead of being an aid. Holding your audience's attention is tough enough. Why would you willingly hand them a reason to not listen to you?
More and more researchers are coming to the conclusion that multitasking is a myth. Yes, people can do more than one thing at a time. But it's becoming apparent that they can't do more than one thing WELL at a time. When the anesthesia is taking effect on the operating table, you don't want the last thing you hear to be the surgeon asking the nurse to bring his phone closer so he can check his text messages and E-mails. You want him to be focused on you.
People have different cognitive learning styles - some need to read things to understand them, while others need to hear things instead of reading them. But when you give your audience handouts - a meeting agenda, a proposal, your resume, or anything else that is written - it divides their attention between the written word and the spoken word. You are, in effect, creating interference for your own message. And that's self-defeating.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business. But don't expect there to be too many handouts. Call 913-631-2985, or E-mail bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing it.
This won't make you popular with the people who asked you to speak, but you should do all that you can to fight the handout fetish. Considering today's short attention spans and considering the "clutter" of everyday life in terms of forms of communication and various stimuli, handouts are a distraction instead of being an aid. Holding your audience's attention is tough enough. Why would you willingly hand them a reason to not listen to you?
More and more researchers are coming to the conclusion that multitasking is a myth. Yes, people can do more than one thing at a time. But it's becoming apparent that they can't do more than one thing WELL at a time. When the anesthesia is taking effect on the operating table, you don't want the last thing you hear to be the surgeon asking the nurse to bring his phone closer so he can check his text messages and E-mails. You want him to be focused on you.
People have different cognitive learning styles - some need to read things to understand them, while others need to hear things instead of reading them. But when you give your audience handouts - a meeting agenda, a proposal, your resume, or anything else that is written - it divides their attention between the written word and the spoken word. You are, in effect, creating interference for your own message. And that's self-defeating.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business. But don't expect there to be too many handouts. Call 913-631-2985, or E-mail bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing it.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Phone calls passe`?
It may already be true. Phone conversations seem to be almost a thing of the past. Particularly when you're trying to reach a younger audience with your message, reaching out and touching someone just isn't your best strategy anymore.
Loud, annoying cell phone calls made in public are falling by the wayside, replaced by text messaging. On one hand, it's great to not have someone in a restaurant or airport lounge forcing everyone else to listen to his or her phone conversation. On the other hand, a brand new etiquette needs to be followed now in this day of individuals focusing on their phones and ignoring those physically in their presence.
What does this mean to you? Several things, including practicing Economy of Words, and utilizing the most efficient forms of communication possible. In your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar, you learn the importance of editing your message so that it has a better to chance to break through the clutter of everyday life. With text messaging, you have no choice but to edit. In your seminar, you learn how to decide what to keep and what to edit out of your message. The voice-mail and E-mail strategies covered in your "Break Through the Clutter" seminar teach you to even use "Subject" lines to convey key points of your message. This is even more critical today if you've reached the point where you need to text or E-mail someone just to find out when you can call them.
While it may seem "old school" to call someone when you need to communicate, there are subjects that are still best left to face-to-face, or at least phone conversations, so that you can explain complex issues and gauge your receiver's reaction. That's another skill you'll develop in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar, information that's now even more critical for you in today's fast-paced world.
Call or e-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing it.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
OMG
The landscape of communication is changing with today's kids. Perhaps you spent hours on the phone with your friends when you were growing up. Or perhaps Instant Messaging on the computer was your generation's way of "talking". Texting is now the most dominant form of communication among those 12-17 years of age.
Here are survey results for you: nearly two-thirds text friends everyday while less than one-third talk on a cellphone with friends everyday; only 14% talk to their friends on a land line today while more than double that amount never use a land line to talk to their friends; and the median number of texts sent on a typical day is now 60, up from 50 in 2009 (for girls, the median is 100).
What does this mean for you and your communication style? Several things, beginning with editing your message. Abbreviations, such as the title of this blog post, might be handy. But you must be certain that your receiver understands what those abbreviations mean. You also need to focus on framing your message in a way that fits texting and will have an impact on your receiver.
These are among the communication skills you and the members of your group will develop in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar. It's information you need now and will need even more in the years to come. Call or E-mail today to schedule your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing so.
Here are survey results for you: nearly two-thirds text friends everyday while less than one-third talk on a cellphone with friends everyday; only 14% talk to their friends on a land line today while more than double that amount never use a land line to talk to their friends; and the median number of texts sent on a typical day is now 60, up from 50 in 2009 (for girls, the median is 100).
What does this mean for you and your communication style? Several things, beginning with editing your message. Abbreviations, such as the title of this blog post, might be handy. But you must be certain that your receiver understands what those abbreviations mean. You also need to focus on framing your message in a way that fits texting and will have an impact on your receiver.
These are among the communication skills you and the members of your group will develop in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar. It's information you need now and will need even more in the years to come. Call or E-mail today to schedule your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing so.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Footprints in cyberspace
Colleges and employers, both current and prospective employers, can and do check an applicant's digital footprints to help determine who might not be a good fit for their school or business. Tweets, photos and postings on social media sites, blog rantings, search results and more, can give screeners a clear picture of an applicant's behaviors and activities. Too often, it's not a very flattering picture.
In your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar, you learn that focusing your message on the other person(s) is one of the most important things you can do to communicate effectively. As a part of that, you learn to think about your audience - what they're doing, thinking, and feeling, what they'll do just before getting your message, what they'll do just after getting your message, and in what environment they will receive your message. You learn how to differentiate between different audiences and how to tailor different messages to those different audiences.
Those are the skills you also need to apply to creating your Internet presence. Some like to call it the "Grandma" test - if you wouldn't want your Grandma to see it or read it, don't post it. Consider who will see your posts and photos, who might see them at a later date, and decide what is and isn't appropriate for each potential audience. Gear each posting and photo toward the appropriate audience and only the appropriate audience. If your friends will think you look great with your tongue out and a drink in your hand, great. Show them that. But keep in mind that you might not want everyone to see that particular pose.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. Help them get the skills they need to communicate effectively, and safely, in today's world. You'll be a hero for doing it.
In your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar, you learn that focusing your message on the other person(s) is one of the most important things you can do to communicate effectively. As a part of that, you learn to think about your audience - what they're doing, thinking, and feeling, what they'll do just before getting your message, what they'll do just after getting your message, and in what environment they will receive your message. You learn how to differentiate between different audiences and how to tailor different messages to those different audiences.
Those are the skills you also need to apply to creating your Internet presence. Some like to call it the "Grandma" test - if you wouldn't want your Grandma to see it or read it, don't post it. Consider who will see your posts and photos, who might see them at a later date, and decide what is and isn't appropriate for each potential audience. Gear each posting and photo toward the appropriate audience and only the appropriate audience. If your friends will think you look great with your tongue out and a drink in your hand, great. Show them that. But keep in mind that you might not want everyone to see that particular pose.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. Help them get the skills they need to communicate effectively, and safely, in today's world. You'll be a hero for doing it.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Think, before you send
Unthinking people do foolish things all the time. But today's technology too often lets you take your faux pas "to 11", to use the line from "This is Spinal Tap".
In the U. K., a job seeker E-mailed a note and his resume to 4,000 head-hunting firms. He's "Unthinking Person #1" in this story. They each got the same note. The E-mail had the names of all recipients visible. Each recipient could tell that no effort was put into the job search.
"Unthinking Person #2" is the head-hunter who took exception to being included in the mass E-mail. He wrote an expletive-filled reply that included "it's nice to know you are taking this seriously and taking the time to make us all feel special and unique", and told the applicant that he was too stupid to get a job in banking. Further, he attacked his competitors at head-hunting firms, calling some of them obscene names. Then, he hit "Reply All".
As you can imagine, both #1 and #2 are looking for work now.
In your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar, you learn the importance of striving for Zero Defects in your messages. You learn that proof-reading is critically important. You learn to check your emotions when creating your messages. And, you learn to put the focus of your message on the other person, understanding what he or she is thinking, feeling, and doing when receiving your message. This story shows two individuals who would have benefited from putting that knowledge to use. Don't let this happen to you.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing it.
In the U. K., a job seeker E-mailed a note and his resume to 4,000 head-hunting firms. He's "Unthinking Person #1" in this story. They each got the same note. The E-mail had the names of all recipients visible. Each recipient could tell that no effort was put into the job search.
"Unthinking Person #2" is the head-hunter who took exception to being included in the mass E-mail. He wrote an expletive-filled reply that included "it's nice to know you are taking this seriously and taking the time to make us all feel special and unique", and told the applicant that he was too stupid to get a job in banking. Further, he attacked his competitors at head-hunting firms, calling some of them obscene names. Then, he hit "Reply All".
As you can imagine, both #1 and #2 are looking for work now.
In your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar, you learn the importance of striving for Zero Defects in your messages. You learn that proof-reading is critically important. You learn to check your emotions when creating your messages. And, you learn to put the focus of your message on the other person, understanding what he or she is thinking, feeling, and doing when receiving your message. This story shows two individuals who would have benefited from putting that knowledge to use. Don't let this happen to you.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing it.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Even TV is delayed now
In your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar, you learn about the volume of "clutter" that your message has to overcome in today's world in order to get through to people. You also learn how that clutter makes it critically important for you to edit your message to within an inch of its life so that others get your point early and clearly. They simply don't have time to give your message attention for long, and they have too many other things pulling at them and distracting them. While you like to think that what you have to say is very important to others, their priorities probably lie elsewhere.
This really shows in the world of TV viewing today. To many, few things are as important as their favorite TV show, movie, or a game involving their favorite team. It used to be that everything came to a halt when that show or game was on. The phone was turned off. The doorbell wasn't answered. Whether it was for thirty minutes, an hour, or a three-hour game, time stood still. Not anymore.
A survey released last month shows that 62% of TV viewers now "time-shift" their programs, meaning that they watch the shows and games when it is convenient for them instead of when the programs are broadcast. Real life tends to get in the way of them enjoying something that's near and dear to them. So, they delay the broadcast, speed through it, and make it fit their schedules.
The same is true for you and your message. Your E-mail or voice-mail will be delayed until it is convenient for your receiver to give you attention. It will be scanned, skipped through, and glanced at. It's up to you to make certain that what they see and get from your message is what you need them to see and get. And that's what you'll learn how to do in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar.
Call or E-mail today to schedule a "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing it.
This really shows in the world of TV viewing today. To many, few things are as important as their favorite TV show, movie, or a game involving their favorite team. It used to be that everything came to a halt when that show or game was on. The phone was turned off. The doorbell wasn't answered. Whether it was for thirty minutes, an hour, or a three-hour game, time stood still. Not anymore.
A survey released last month shows that 62% of TV viewers now "time-shift" their programs, meaning that they watch the shows and games when it is convenient for them instead of when the programs are broadcast. Real life tends to get in the way of them enjoying something that's near and dear to them. So, they delay the broadcast, speed through it, and make it fit their schedules.
The same is true for you and your message. Your E-mail or voice-mail will be delayed until it is convenient for your receiver to give you attention. It will be scanned, skipped through, and glanced at. It's up to you to make certain that what they see and get from your message is what you need them to see and get. And that's what you'll learn how to do in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar.
Call or E-mail today to schedule a "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com. You'll be a hero for doing it.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Less is more, here as well as there
It's official. There is now an unwritten policy in China that bureaucrats need to edit what they say and stop talking and talking and talking. Amen.
In your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar, you learn about the philosophy of "Economy of Words". In China, they're putting it into practice. A Communist Party official in Henan was forced from the podium during his remarks and chastised by a superior with, "All your words are empty. Please stop reading and get off the stage." Ever wanted to say that to someone?
With texts, tweets, IMs, phone calls, electronic media, and all of the other messages bombarding your receiver every day, they have neither the time nor interest to listen to you prattle on. Edit your message to the bare bones, make it efficient in its use of language, and phrase it so that they get your message right away. That way, you'll make an impact BEFORE they ask you to "please stop reading and get off the stage."
Learn how in your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar. Call or E-mail today to schedule one for your business or group, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
In your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar, you learn about the philosophy of "Economy of Words". In China, they're putting it into practice. A Communist Party official in Henan was forced from the podium during his remarks and chastised by a superior with, "All your words are empty. Please stop reading and get off the stage." Ever wanted to say that to someone?
With texts, tweets, IMs, phone calls, electronic media, and all of the other messages bombarding your receiver every day, they have neither the time nor interest to listen to you prattle on. Edit your message to the bare bones, make it efficient in its use of language, and phrase it so that they get your message right away. That way, you'll make an impact BEFORE they ask you to "please stop reading and get off the stage."
Learn how in your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar. Call or E-mail today to schedule one for your business or group, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Watch and learn
Now that the Primary Election campaign is over in many parts of the country, watch and learn from how campaigns change as the General Election approaches. It's a great example, whether you're a fan of politics or not, of tailoring your message to fit your audience.
In the primaries, candidates are only running against others in their same party. So, a candidate needs to convince members of that party that he or she is "more Democrat" or "more Republican" than opponents. But, for the November election, independent voters and voters from the other party need to be won over. The messages, themes, and promises of the Primary campaign give way to newer, more moderate messages and promises.
That's what it takes, not only to get elected, but just to reach your audience in general. And that's what you'll learn how to do in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar. Think about who your audience is for a given message. Think about their frame of mind, their wants and needs, and the environment in which they'll receive your message. And then, tailor your message to fit those unique circumstances. That's how you break through the clutter of everyday life and actually reach the people you need to reach.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
In the primaries, candidates are only running against others in their same party. So, a candidate needs to convince members of that party that he or she is "more Democrat" or "more Republican" than opponents. But, for the November election, independent voters and voters from the other party need to be won over. The messages, themes, and promises of the Primary campaign give way to newer, more moderate messages and promises.
That's what it takes, not only to get elected, but just to reach your audience in general. And that's what you'll learn how to do in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar. Think about who your audience is for a given message. Think about their frame of mind, their wants and needs, and the environment in which they'll receive your message. And then, tailor your message to fit those unique circumstances. That's how you break through the clutter of everyday life and actually reach the people you need to reach.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Say, what?
As a follow-up to the post from 7/7/10 about the narrow demographic the Athletic Equipment Managers deal with when communicating with their athletes, there are a number of words, terms, and phrases that still seem normal to you nowadays but make no sense at all to younger people. It's not that you're getting old, it's just that they might have a completely different frame of reference than you do.
For instance, try telling a 20-year-old that when he or she keeps repeating something or constantly bringing up a certain subject, he or she sounds "like a broken record". In fact, with today's MP3 players, you might not even be able to use "like a stuck CD" anymore.
Similarly, saying in frustration that "trying to talk to you is like getting a constant busy signal" is meaningless. Their lives have really only seen call-waiting and calls that go straight to voice-mail when someone is not available. A busy signal is not something they've ever had to deal with.
Picturing an actual person in your mind when composing your message can and will help you avoid these and similar pitfalls. Take the time to actually think about that person - what are they thinking, doing, feeling - what are their experiences and background - and take all of those characteristics into consideration as you compose your message.
It's an important point that's stressed in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar because it is so critical to the success or failure of your message. It's all part of putting the focus of your message on your receiver.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
For instance, try telling a 20-year-old that when he or she keeps repeating something or constantly bringing up a certain subject, he or she sounds "like a broken record". In fact, with today's MP3 players, you might not even be able to use "like a stuck CD" anymore.
Similarly, saying in frustration that "trying to talk to you is like getting a constant busy signal" is meaningless. Their lives have really only seen call-waiting and calls that go straight to voice-mail when someone is not available. A busy signal is not something they've ever had to deal with.
Picturing an actual person in your mind when composing your message can and will help you avoid these and similar pitfalls. Take the time to actually think about that person - what are they thinking, doing, feeling - what are their experiences and background - and take all of those characteristics into consideration as you compose your message.
It's an important point that's stressed in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar because it is so critical to the success or failure of your message. It's all part of putting the focus of your message on your receiver.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Audience Demographics
One thing that was fun and unique about the presentation to the Athletic Equipment Managers last month was that when we focused on communicating with their athletes, it was a very narrow "demographic" that we were talking about. "Demographic" here meaning the vital statistics, basically, involved with their audience of athletes. Nearly all Equipment Managers in the room worked in a collegiate environment. So, when they needed to communicate with their athletes, they would be talking to, primarily, 18-22 year-olds.
Most of the time you are not in a situation where the people you need to communicate with are almost all within a few years of each other. For instance, at work your receivers might have a wide age range, as well as a wide range of education, experience, background, and more. This unique situation with the Equipment Managers allowed us to get very specific in terms of the lifestyles, habits, and interests of their target group. It also allowed us to zero in on the "clutter" that affects this age range every day.
If you find yourself communicating with a group defined by such a narrow demographic trait, take advantage of that fact. As you picture an actual person in your mind while composing your message, be as specific as that narrow demographic allows. It's a great way to make your message even more effective because it is designed specifically for people who fall into that demographic.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
Most of the time you are not in a situation where the people you need to communicate with are almost all within a few years of each other. For instance, at work your receivers might have a wide age range, as well as a wide range of education, experience, background, and more. This unique situation with the Equipment Managers allowed us to get very specific in terms of the lifestyles, habits, and interests of their target group. It also allowed us to zero in on the "clutter" that affects this age range every day.
If you find yourself communicating with a group defined by such a narrow demographic trait, take advantage of that fact. As you picture an actual person in your mind while composing your message, be as specific as that narrow demographic allows. It's a great way to make your message even more effective because it is designed specifically for people who fall into that demographic.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
E-mail only for appropriate subjects
Soon, it will be the anniversary of one of the worst uses of E-mail ever. And that serves as a reminder to you to use E-mail only in situations where it is appropriate.
You learn in your "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar that anger, sarcasm, and other negative emotions need to be gotten out of voice-mails and E-mails. Negative emotions like that are best left to face-to-face communication where you can see the effect you and your message are having on your receiver.
With all of today's methods of electronic communication, it's easy for people to hide when there's a potential for conflict. Things like ending a relationship by texting, breaking up through voice-mail, and the like, though, make you look shallow and callous. It's obvious that you didn't want to deal with the emotions in person, so you hid behind technology.
This was carried to another extreme nearly four years ago now, in August of 2006, when Radio Shack sent this E-mail to 400 employees - "The workforce reduction notification is currently in progress. Unfortunately your position is one that has been eliminated." Fired, by E-mail.
While it may be easier on you to hide, screen calls, and block E-mails, if you really want to communicate effectively, know when it is appropriate for electronic communication and when face-to-face is really the only option.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
You learn in your "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar that anger, sarcasm, and other negative emotions need to be gotten out of voice-mails and E-mails. Negative emotions like that are best left to face-to-face communication where you can see the effect you and your message are having on your receiver.
With all of today's methods of electronic communication, it's easy for people to hide when there's a potential for conflict. Things like ending a relationship by texting, breaking up through voice-mail, and the like, though, make you look shallow and callous. It's obvious that you didn't want to deal with the emotions in person, so you hid behind technology.
This was carried to another extreme nearly four years ago now, in August of 2006, when Radio Shack sent this E-mail to 400 employees - "The workforce reduction notification is currently in progress. Unfortunately your position is one that has been eliminated." Fired, by E-mail.
While it may be easier on you to hide, screen calls, and block E-mails, if you really want to communicate effectively, know when it is appropriate for electronic communication and when face-to-face is really the only option.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Too much E-mail
In your "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar, you learn that the two keys to effective use of E-mail are brevity and necessity, sending only what is needed when it is needed. There is simply too much E-mail going on.
A study now shows that your receiver spends an average of four minutes to open, read, respond to, and either delete or store each E-mail. That's a very important statistic for you to consider.
When communicating, you need to picture an actual person in your mind as you compose your message, what they're doing, thinking, and feeling. Part of that, when it comes to E-mail, is to realize that if your message ends up being one of forty or fifty that piled up while they were on vacation. At four minutes per E-mail, they might not have time to read something called, "Another Blond Joke".
Plus, if they are used to getting only important E-mails from you, when they get one, they will tend to think that it is important. If, however, they usually get 15-20 E-mails a day from you, and most of those contain the same jokes, cartoons, and video links that others are sending to them, they won't consider your E-mail to be as important.
Brevity and necessity, the keys to effective use of E-mail, when done in conjunction with all of the other things you'll learn in your own "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar. Call or E-mail today to schedule a seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
A study now shows that your receiver spends an average of four minutes to open, read, respond to, and either delete or store each E-mail. That's a very important statistic for you to consider.
When communicating, you need to picture an actual person in your mind as you compose your message, what they're doing, thinking, and feeling. Part of that, when it comes to E-mail, is to realize that if your message ends up being one of forty or fifty that piled up while they were on vacation. At four minutes per E-mail, they might not have time to read something called, "Another Blond Joke".
Plus, if they are used to getting only important E-mails from you, when they get one, they will tend to think that it is important. If, however, they usually get 15-20 E-mails a day from you, and most of those contain the same jokes, cartoons, and video links that others are sending to them, they won't consider your E-mail to be as important.
Brevity and necessity, the keys to effective use of E-mail, when done in conjunction with all of the other things you'll learn in your own "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar. Call or E-mail today to schedule a seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Word choice
In your "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar, you learn to use only words that will mean something to the receivers of your messages. An exchange at the pharmacy today underscored the importance of that.
When a prescription coupon card was presented along with payment, the clerk worked on the computer for a bit and sarcastically said, "Oh, I love this!", sighed, and stomped over to a fellow employee. After the second employee worked on another computer for a while, he came over to explain that the pharmacy had another drug's coupon listed as the "primary" card and this was listed in the computer as the "secondary" card and that's why it wouldn't go through. But, now it went through and everything was okay. But that's why it didn't at first, because the other one was the primary card and not this one.
Those who don't work at that pharmacy, including their customers, really have no idea what any of that means. Nor, frankly, do they care. Pharmacy employees deal with those computers, that software and drug companies every day, so it made sense to them. But they used these specialized terms when talking to a customer off the street. "Here are your pills and it'll be ten bucks" is all the customer wanted or needed to hear.
To communicate effectively, avoid lingo or jargon, specialized language unique to a certain area of interest or expertise. Within your own circle of co-workers, friends, or others that share your experiences, it's fine. But keep in mind that outside of your inner circle, it's really just gibberish. And whenever you use words, terms or phrases that your receiver, for whatever reason, doesn't understand, instead of being impressed with how much you know, they tend to feel alienated and sometimes even insulted.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
When a prescription coupon card was presented along with payment, the clerk worked on the computer for a bit and sarcastically said, "Oh, I love this!", sighed, and stomped over to a fellow employee. After the second employee worked on another computer for a while, he came over to explain that the pharmacy had another drug's coupon listed as the "primary" card and this was listed in the computer as the "secondary" card and that's why it wouldn't go through. But, now it went through and everything was okay. But that's why it didn't at first, because the other one was the primary card and not this one.
Those who don't work at that pharmacy, including their customers, really have no idea what any of that means. Nor, frankly, do they care. Pharmacy employees deal with those computers, that software and drug companies every day, so it made sense to them. But they used these specialized terms when talking to a customer off the street. "Here are your pills and it'll be ten bucks" is all the customer wanted or needed to hear.
To communicate effectively, avoid lingo or jargon, specialized language unique to a certain area of interest or expertise. Within your own circle of co-workers, friends, or others that share your experiences, it's fine. But keep in mind that outside of your inner circle, it's really just gibberish. And whenever you use words, terms or phrases that your receiver, for whatever reason, doesn't understand, instead of being impressed with how much you know, they tend to feel alienated and sometimes even insulted.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Clutter, again
To continue the discussions about "What is 'clutter'?" and how the clutter of today's world gets worse everyday - Mignon McLaughlin summed up the problem like this, "No one really listens to anyone else. Try it for a while, and you'll see why."
Humorous, yes. But it's sad, too, because it's true. So many messages are being sent today, often in a rapid-fire manner, that are centered on the person sending them. And the messages tell about important things like, "I just got a massage", or "I just had my nails done and now I'm going shopping", or "I'm having a latte and a bagel". While they might be harmless and even a bit of a diversion for people during their busy days, the messages are each another bit of "noise" or "clutter" that distract your receiver from more important messages. Like your messages, for example.
That's why it is so important for you to stop, as you compose your message, and to think about the person(s) you need to reach. What are they doing? What will they do just before getting your message? What will they do just after? In what environment will they receive your message? Take all of those things, and more, into consideration as you compose your message. For your message to truly be effective, it isn't about writing or saying what you want to write or say. It's about writing or saying what will mean something to your receiver for communication to happen.
And that's what you'll learn how to do in your "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
Humorous, yes. But it's sad, too, because it's true. So many messages are being sent today, often in a rapid-fire manner, that are centered on the person sending them. And the messages tell about important things like, "I just got a massage", or "I just had my nails done and now I'm going shopping", or "I'm having a latte and a bagel". While they might be harmless and even a bit of a diversion for people during their busy days, the messages are each another bit of "noise" or "clutter" that distract your receiver from more important messages. Like your messages, for example.
That's why it is so important for you to stop, as you compose your message, and to think about the person(s) you need to reach. What are they doing? What will they do just before getting your message? What will they do just after? In what environment will they receive your message? Take all of those things, and more, into consideration as you compose your message. For your message to truly be effective, it isn't about writing or saying what you want to write or say. It's about writing or saying what will mean something to your receiver for communication to happen.
And that's what you'll learn how to do in your "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Clutter, again
Obviously, when your seminar is called "Break Through the Clutter", you're going to spend some time learning about what clutter is and how to break through it with your message. So, "clutter" will be discussed here again.
In addition to all of the advertising messages, voice-mails and E-mails, meetings and more that clutter up today's world, people are talking about themselves now more than ever before. With texts, tweets, blogs, and social network pages, people are sending so many messages about their likes, dislikes, hobbies and interests that you have to wonder if anyone is actually receiving those messages. Or, whether it even matters to the "senders" that their messages are heard. The act of sending them seems to be the goal rather than making certain that someone hears them.
An Internet expert described it as people wanting to be the stars of their own reality shows. They get attention. They think people are interested in when they are brushing their teeth, or just had a cup of coffee.
With so many being so interested in talking about themselves, they don't have a lot of time for you and your message, regardless of how important it may be. And that is the environment in which your messages are being heard and read today. That is the "clutter" your message must break through to make an impact.
The key is to make your message different from all of those other messages that are centered on the sender, to focus your message on your receiver. And that's what you learn how to do in your own "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar. It is simple, but it isn't always easy.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
In addition to all of the advertising messages, voice-mails and E-mails, meetings and more that clutter up today's world, people are talking about themselves now more than ever before. With texts, tweets, blogs, and social network pages, people are sending so many messages about their likes, dislikes, hobbies and interests that you have to wonder if anyone is actually receiving those messages. Or, whether it even matters to the "senders" that their messages are heard. The act of sending them seems to be the goal rather than making certain that someone hears them.
An Internet expert described it as people wanting to be the stars of their own reality shows. They get attention. They think people are interested in when they are brushing their teeth, or just had a cup of coffee.
With so many being so interested in talking about themselves, they don't have a lot of time for you and your message, regardless of how important it may be. And that is the environment in which your messages are being heard and read today. That is the "clutter" your message must break through to make an impact.
The key is to make your message different from all of those other messages that are centered on the sender, to focus your message on your receiver. And that's what you learn how to do in your own "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar. It is simple, but it isn't always easy.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" communication seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Verb-alization
More and more, words are being "verb-alized" today, meaning non-verbs are being used as verbs.
An "office" is a place. A "fax" is a thing, a shortened version of the word "facsimile" which is what you create when the document in your hand is printed out at the other end of the phone line. "Text" is what you're reading right now, it's a thing that you can see. "Offshore" is a place that is removed from the shore. You remember from grade school that a person, place, or thing is a noun.
Yet for years now, when you office at home, people can fax things to you, or text you. Each of those nouns has become a verb in common usage. This morning's paper had new one, "offshoring". It goes along with "outsourcing" and it's apparently when you outsource overseas. But no definition was given.
As you learn in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar, for effective communication, you need to use only words, terms and phrases that mean something to the other person. So be aware of your level of verb-alization. Adding "-ing" to a word does not necessarily mean that you can use it as a verb and that your audience will understand it that way. For instance, you wouldn't scream at a telemarketer, "Not now, I'm dinnering!"
As our use of language continues to evolve with advances in technology and in society ("He Blackberried me with the details."), keep your audience in mind when composing your message. Whether a word or phrase makes sense to you isn't nearly as important as whether it makes sense to them. Often, you're more successful when you stick to the basics instead of trying to use the latest terminology.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
An "office" is a place. A "fax" is a thing, a shortened version of the word "facsimile" which is what you create when the document in your hand is printed out at the other end of the phone line. "Text" is what you're reading right now, it's a thing that you can see. "Offshore" is a place that is removed from the shore. You remember from grade school that a person, place, or thing is a noun.
Yet for years now, when you office at home, people can fax things to you, or text you. Each of those nouns has become a verb in common usage. This morning's paper had new one, "offshoring". It goes along with "outsourcing" and it's apparently when you outsource overseas. But no definition was given.
As you learn in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar, for effective communication, you need to use only words, terms and phrases that mean something to the other person. So be aware of your level of verb-alization. Adding "-ing" to a word does not necessarily mean that you can use it as a verb and that your audience will understand it that way. For instance, you wouldn't scream at a telemarketer, "Not now, I'm dinnering!"
As our use of language continues to evolve with advances in technology and in society ("He Blackberried me with the details."), keep your audience in mind when composing your message. Whether a word or phrase makes sense to you isn't nearly as important as whether it makes sense to them. Often, you're more successful when you stick to the basics instead of trying to use the latest terminology.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your own "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Double Trouble
A safety hazard also teaches you about the difficulties of communicating in today's world -
Yesterday, a young man driving a fancy convertible, top down, was swerving all over his lane. Why? His right hand was up to his ear, holding his phone, away from the wind noise on his left side, forcing him to reach his left hand past the steering wheel to shift gears on the right side of the steering column. Every time he shifted, he practically changed lanes.
Dangerous and foolish, yes. But it's mentioned here because that might have been you on the other end of that phone. Or, it might have been your incredibly important, to you at least, message he was listening to from his voicemail.
The environment in which your receiver gets your message is completely out of your control. Distractions, clutter, and your receiver's personal filters all affect your message. That's why it's so critical for you to do everything that IS under your control to make your message efficient and effective. And that's what you learn to do in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar.
Look around you. Everyday you see how difficult your receivers make it for you to be heard. It's time for you to equip yourself to fight back.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
And, watch out for the guy in the red convertible.
Yesterday, a young man driving a fancy convertible, top down, was swerving all over his lane. Why? His right hand was up to his ear, holding his phone, away from the wind noise on his left side, forcing him to reach his left hand past the steering wheel to shift gears on the right side of the steering column. Every time he shifted, he practically changed lanes.
Dangerous and foolish, yes. But it's mentioned here because that might have been you on the other end of that phone. Or, it might have been your incredibly important, to you at least, message he was listening to from his voicemail.
The environment in which your receiver gets your message is completely out of your control. Distractions, clutter, and your receiver's personal filters all affect your message. That's why it's so critical for you to do everything that IS under your control to make your message efficient and effective. And that's what you learn to do in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar.
Look around you. Everyday you see how difficult your receivers make it for you to be heard. It's time for you to equip yourself to fight back.
Call or E-mail today to schedule your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
And, watch out for the guy in the red convertible.
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