As you learn in your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar, one of the keys to effective communication is to understand your target audience and tailor your message to reach that particular audience. You also need to consider which form of communication would be most effective in reaching that audience.
Recently, The New York Times mentioned a 14-year-old girl who sends and receives 27,000 text messages in a month. Whether this girl and her communication habits are typical or not, it's something for you to consider. If your audience is teenagers, then you really need to take this into consideration. If your target audience is an older one, know that these 14-year-olds are heading your way in the future. You may need to change your communication style, learn new behaviors and skills, and become comfortable with methods of communication that may seem strange to you. As the world changes, so must your style of communicating so that your message will have a chance to "break through" the clutter of today's world and have an impact on others.
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.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Privacy? No.
In June, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on whether an employer was reasonable to search employee text messages. Unanimously, the court ruled that the search in this case was reasonable. This was not an all-encompassing decision, but it is one that will serve as a precedent in the future.
What does this mean to you? If you wouldn't say it in public, don't say it in a text, E-mail, or voice-mail, either. The Electronic Communication and Privacy Act lets your boss go through your E-mail at work. As technology continues to develop into new methods of communicating, new legislation and litigation will be needed to sort out what can and can't be done by employers. But, you will do well with an overall philosophy of "when in doubt, leave it out".
In your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar you learn that a great way to think of an E-mail message is that it's like the back of a postcard - just about anyone CAN read it, and chances are someone, other than the person you sent it to, WILL.
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 something that really helps people in today's world.
What does this mean to you? If you wouldn't say it in public, don't say it in a text, E-mail, or voice-mail, either. The Electronic Communication and Privacy Act lets your boss go through your E-mail at work. As technology continues to develop into new methods of communicating, new legislation and litigation will be needed to sort out what can and can't be done by employers. But, you will do well with an overall philosophy of "when in doubt, leave it out".
In your "Break Through the Clutter" Communication Seminar you learn that a great way to think of an E-mail message is that it's like the back of a postcard - just about anyone CAN read it, and chances are someone, other than the person you sent it to, WILL.
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 something that really helps people in today's world.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Watt a grate book
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.
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.
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.
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