A book released last month is all about typos. Hopefully, it doesn't contain any. Two guys took a two-and-a-half month clockwise journey around the U.S. hunting for typos. They weren't disappointed. 437 errors were found on public signs. Some were misspellings, some were wrong forms of a word (they're, there, their), some were simple mistakes. 437 on display for public consumption.
In your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar, you learn the importance of Striving for Zero Defects. Everybody makes mistakes. The only people who don't make mistakes are dead people. The key is to keep your mistakes from ever seeing the light of day.
First of all, mistakes send a message about you, and, it's not a good one. More importantly, mistakes become distractions. The focus of your receiver goes off of your message and onto the mistake. You're essentially creating interference for your own message.
And, mistakes can cause confusion. Anything you can do to make it easier for your receiver to understand what you're talking about is in your best interests. So, use a spell check program. Have others proof your work before it ever sees the light of day. Whatever it takes to reach Zero Defects.
This isn't about being picky or anal retentive. It's about taking pride in your message and making it the best it can be so that it is as effective as it can be. And that's what you 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. You'll be a hero for doing it.
Monday, September 27, 2010
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.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Editing for success
Ken Burns' masterful documentary on the Civil War includes a quote from Edward Everett in its discussion of the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg. This quote was also included in the official "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar workbook years ago in order to encourage you to edit, edit, edit.
To recap the story, Edward Everett was one of the speakers at the dedication of the cemetery in Gettysburg in November 1863. As was the custom at the time, Mr. Everett spoke for about two hours. Then, Abraham Lincoln was introduced to the crowd and he delivered what is known as "The Gettysburg Address". The official photographer of the event took his time readying his equipment as the President began to speak, knowing that he had a couple of hours to get the right natural light and compose his shot. Suddenly the President finished and walked over to sit down. The photographer quickly snapped the only existing photo of the event, a blurry shot of Lincoln, in mid-air, as he's sitting down.
Following the event, Edward Everett wrote to Lincoln and summed up the whole philosophy behind "utilizing Economy of Words", a skill you'll learn in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar. Everett wrote, "I wish that I had come as close to the central idea of the occasion in my two hours as you did in two minutes." Seven score and seven years later, one of those two Gettysburg speeches is remembered and treasured.
Writing or speaking a lot, or for a long time, does NOT mean you're a great communicator or an effective communicator. It doesn't even mean that you have a lot of important things to say. It just means that you talk a lot. And, in today's fast-paced world, it also means that no one will listen to you or remember what you said. Edward Everett was an orator. Abraham Lincoln delivered a message that meant something.
"Economy of Words" is just one of the philosophies and approaches to communicating effectively that you will learn in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own seminar for your group or business, 913-631-2985, bkthrucomm@aol.com.
To recap the story, Edward Everett was one of the speakers at the dedication of the cemetery in Gettysburg in November 1863. As was the custom at the time, Mr. Everett spoke for about two hours. Then, Abraham Lincoln was introduced to the crowd and he delivered what is known as "The Gettysburg Address". The official photographer of the event took his time readying his equipment as the President began to speak, knowing that he had a couple of hours to get the right natural light and compose his shot. Suddenly the President finished and walked over to sit down. The photographer quickly snapped the only existing photo of the event, a blurry shot of Lincoln, in mid-air, as he's sitting down.
Following the event, Edward Everett wrote to Lincoln and summed up the whole philosophy behind "utilizing Economy of Words", a skill you'll learn in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar. Everett wrote, "I wish that I had come as close to the central idea of the occasion in my two hours as you did in two minutes." Seven score and seven years later, one of those two Gettysburg speeches is remembered and treasured.
Writing or speaking a lot, or for a long time, does NOT mean you're a great communicator or an effective communicator. It doesn't even mean that you have a lot of important things to say. It just means that you talk a lot. And, in today's fast-paced world, it also means that no one will listen to you or remember what you said. Edward Everett was an orator. Abraham Lincoln delivered a message that meant something.
"Economy of Words" is just one of the philosophies and approaches to communicating effectively that you will learn in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar. Call or E-mail today to schedule your own 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.
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