Lingo/Jargon/Slang

      Lingo is more than just a game on TV. According to Miriam Webster it is the special vocabulary of a particular field of interest.  It is also known as jargon or slang.  The differences between the three are very elusive and they are used interchangeably.

What is ”ROTFL”?  Jargon. What is “vertically challenged”? Jargon. What is “in the loop”? Jargon.

       Jargon is the “insiders” language that defines a specific activity, event, group, or product to other people within the group. It is a shortcut to communication among people in the know, but has little meaning to anyone outside the group.  It also makes your customers and clients very uncomfortable; akin to being in a group of people speaking a foreign language that you don’t understand. Politicians are famous for doublespeak and jargon.  It allows them to be understood, yet not very precise. 

       Using jargon, lingo, doublespeak or slang in marketing is a way of making your product or service sound more important or significant than it really is.  It is the secret code of your offering. To the uninformed, it makes the product sound like something they must have immediately or their world might come to an end.  Seldom does the public “read between the lines” to see what is really being said; and marketers don’t want them to.  Remember the Wizard of Oz hiding behind the curtain so nobody could see that he was just an ordinary man, albeit with sage wisdom.

       Our use of language has become sloppy, especially with the explosion of technology.  Soon we will forget all together how to communicate clearly; slang, lingo and jargon will take over.  Nobody will know the difference between real and make believe.  They will simply be left “out of the loop”.  All of your marketing efforts will be lost, because people just won’t want to work hard enough to understand your message.

     Start now to be more clear and precise with your message.  Customers don't like to be talked down to and will always favor real, honest messages.

Cell Phone Etiquite

Can You Hear Me Now?

     Of course I can; and so can everyone else within 100 feet.  Ever since we became wedded to our cell phones in the mid 80’s we have entered a new realm of rudeness. 

     How did we communicate before we had cell phones?  We wrote letters, sent telegrams (feared because they often contained bad news), and made phone calls from home, office, or pay phones.  Pay phones were found on every corner, in stores, gas stations, and restaurants.  For many years you could make a local call for a dime.

     Today we have email, PDA’s, and cell phones.  The emails we can block but we always answer our cell phones.  You will often hear whole conversations, that aren’t aimed at you and hold no interest.  Past generations did not have to confront this rudeness.  Our entire society was a lot more genteel.  We went out of the way to bepolite and not intrude on others.

   Let’s Talk.com has developed some guidelines for cell phone use so you can avoid bothering other people with your calls.

MUTE

   Many establishments now request that you not use your phone when on their premises. Pay attention to the rules, they have been written for a reason.

INCOMING CALLS

   Personalized and joke ring tones are especially offensive.  Try giving certain people unique ringtones, like I’ve done for my Father, so you know which calls have to be answered.  Let everything else go to voicemail until later.

VOLUMN CONTROL

   It is not necessary to scream into your phone.  If you have a good signal your indoor voice will do; if not no amount of screaming will help

SHORT AND SWEET

   When in public relate information and hang up.  You can go into the details later on your own time.

DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE

   Besides being very dangerous texting is probably against the law.  If you must respond pull over or call back when you stop.

EXCUSE YOURSELF BEFORE TAKING THE CALL

   Emergencies do arise. Some calls may be unavoidable.  Let the people you are with know, in advance, that if you hear a particular ringtone you will have to take the call.

NO PICTURES, PLEASE
   Always ask before taking pictures.  You could put your friends in a very uncompromising position.

Are Your Manners Showing?

You have all seen RSVP on an invitation. What is it, why is it there, and what does it mean? In practice it means that you should contact the hosts of the event and let them know if you are going to attend. The actual translation is from French répondez, s'il vous plaît ; it means please respond promptly.

So you ask “what’s the big deal?” Responding promptly to your host is not only a sign of your good manners, it is a sign of respect for your host or hostess. Leaving them wondering whether up or not you will show is very stressful, as well as making it difficult for them to complete their plans; seating, catering, gifts and all the other things that go into planning a great event.

RSVP is also akin to “register now” for a seminar, fund raiser or trade show. Reservations, locations, catering, publicity and more often have to be paid in advance. Not knowing if you need seminar materials for 20 or 200 is a major challenge. This is why reservations or registration is so often requested so far in advance of the event. There is no other way to put together a successful event.

RSVP’s and other good manners need to make a comeback. The civility of life is sorely missed.

Networking forFun and Profit

hAs we have discussed, although Social Media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are terrific tools, there is one that is more powerful than any of them; old fashioned personal contact. The answer is Networking. Networking gives you the opportunity of meeting your clients and associates on a personal level that is not available over the internet.

Of course you do have to depend on the internet to stay in touch with distant contacts, but even a phone call can strengthen that bond. Checking in just to say hello, see how you can help, or share a referral adds a personalization otherwise not available.

Face to face contacts make for much stronger relationships; whether business or personal. This is where Networking comes in. Mixers, meet and greets, and seminars are all great places to solidify existing contacts and make new ones.

Just like any other activity, there are rules of conduct that apply to Networking. Remember: “you only have one chance to make a good impression.” Some things must be avoided at all costs, including hogging the conversation, drinking or eating too much (unless you are at a dinner meeting), selling, bragging, not listening, hanging out with people you already know, or spending time on your phone. (anything except a true emergency can wait).

Networking is all about building relationships; people buy from people they know and trust. You are there to make new friends, enhance your reputation, and share local knowledge. You should be prepared (investigate the event before you attend), be approachable, be enthusiastic, write your thank you notes and do your follow-up, and by all means remember your manners.

Besides making new friends and strengthening existing relationships, you are likely to have a good time. They used to say in New Zealand that ”a change is as good as a rest” so get out of your comfort zone and try Networking. You will be amazed how your life will expand as a result.

Why Do You Do What You Do?

In our last issue we discussed the value of assessing your Core Values. This can be a very powerful exercise; just the exercise itself will give you amazing insights into your thinking processes.

The next step in building your foundation is to determine your reasons for doing what you do. Your actions are defined by your Mission Statement. Your Statement tells the world about your goals and purpose. It not only tells your employees and teammates where you are coming from, but a well written mission statement also tells your customers, business partners and others who you are, what, why and how your business will conduct itself.

Mission Statements can also be constructed for your personal development. It would define your ethical standards and how people can expect you to act. The absence of surprises makes your associates much more comfortable.

Your Mission Statement, whether for business or personal conduct, should always be in alignment with your Core Values. For example our Mission Statement is; “help people solve problems, seize opportunities, and by acting fell better about themselves.” This tells people what they can expect when working with us; offering anything less is considered failure.

There should be no limits to your imagination when you are developing your Mission Statement. Reach beyond your current capacities. Your Mission Statement also functions like the rabbit to the greyhound in a race. It will cause you to reach to new levels of hopes, dreams, and achievement. You are trying to grow beyond your current reach and your Mission Statement can be a powerful tool to make that happen.

Civility

I was just having a discussion with my Dad about why people don’t return social obligations. How many times have you taken friends to dinner before they think to ask you out in return? Do you keep inviting them? This lead to the conclusion that they just don’t know any better; they were never taught manners.
The conversation continued with a look at why people don’t RSVP a mailed invitation. "Répondez s'il vous plaît", which is a French term that means “please respond”, is added to invitations for a reason. It is very frustrating to create a wonderful party and not know how many people will show up. This is an especially special nuisance when you are paying a caterer for each meal. I think it is common courtesy to let your hostess know if you will be able to attend. That brings us to “what is common courtesy”?
Emily Post was America’s foremost authority on manners and graciousness in both your personal life and business. Her contention is that if you abide by the Golden Rule you will enjoy a more comfortable and successful life. That means responding to invitations when asked and considering the value of the friendship when playing the “who owes what” game.
These practices also apply to your business life. Return calls promptly, do what you say you will, remember thank you notes and generally treat you associates as well as you do your friends.
Your life will become a more positive place; a place where it is fun to hang out and has plenty of rewards to offer.