You’re an Elite Professional; Don’t Sound Like a Jamoke

Congrats. You’re at the top of your peer group in terms of billings or AUM. But you may be turning off more clients than you think when you come across as lazy or uneducated in your writing and public speaking.

Here’s an excerpt from a quarterly bulletin that one of our clients asked us to review.

“….Nothing could be farther from the truth. Irregardless of the pandemic, we’re actually heading towards a record year. Our gross margin went from 60% to 80%. That’s a 20% improvement, even though we had less full-time people on staff than in 2019. That positively effected our bottom line. That was a no-brainer. At the end of the day, our team is comprised of top-notch professionals who think outside the box (see Team page of our web-site). That insures our clients remain very happy with us. With regards to 2021, it goes without saying we are very optimistic. We just haven’t decided who we’ll go to the awards show with.”

Ouch! This excerpt is riddled with credibility killing errors, many of which will not be flagged by your spell checker or grammar checker. How many red flags do you see in the paragraph above?

As President-elect Biden would say, “C’mon, man!”

Let’s take a closer look:

“….Nothing could be farther from the truth. Irregardless of the pandemic, we’re actually heading towards a record year. Our gross margin went from 60% to 80%. That’s a 20% improvement, even though we had less full-time people on staff than in 2019. That positively effected our bottom line. That was a no-brainer. At the end of the day, our team is comprised of top-notch professionals who think outside the box (see Team page of our web-site). That insures our clients remain very happy with us. With regards to 2021, it goes without saying we are very optimistic. We just haven’t decided who we’ll go to the awards show with.”

 

1. Further vs. farther.
Generally.. Use farther only when you are referring to distance, literal or figurative.
Use further only to mean “more”

-- It’s farther away than I'd thought. (farther = at a greater distance, physically).

-- Further research is needed. (further = more)
-- I do not want anything further to do with this mess. (further = more)

2. Irregardless vs. regardless.
While “irregardless” is technically a word, DON’T use it in your writing! When speaking, there are some in which “irregardless” can be used emphatically to shut down a conversation, but most people will think you are lazy or uneducated when you use such a double negative form even though the word is in the dictionary. Instead, go with the simpler “regardless” when you mean to say “without concern” or to insinuate advice, warning, or hardship.” Still stuck on using irregardless? Consult this video tutorial first.

3. Towards vs. toward.
Towards (plural) is NOT a word. Don’t ever use it if you want people to take you seriously.

4.  From 60% to 80%

Ok. We have a lot going on here...

·         First, modern business style is to lead with the most recent number (80%) and finish with the oldest number (60%) when making a comparison. Go with “….margin improved to 80% from 60%.

·         Second, and perhaps most egregious, our client made a math error. If something improved to 80% from 60%, it was an improvement of 20 percentage points, but 80 is 33% MORE than 60. That’s an improvement of 33.33 PERCENT!

·         Finally, in keeping with AP style, you should spell out percent in most cases, with a few exceptions. We use the percent sign (%) in these circumstances:

-- Tables and in technical or scientific writing.

-- Headings and subheadings.

-- Interface labels

-- Captions and infographics

We use the % percent sign in these cases to improve content’s scannability, allowing readers to digest the content more quickly.

5. Less vs. fewer.
Fewer should be used when discussing countable things, while less is used for singular mass nouns.
EXAMPLE: You can have fewer ingredients, dollars, people, or puppies, but less salt, money, honesty, or love. If you can count it, go for fewer. If you can’t, opt for less.

6. Effect vs. Affect.
Effect, when used as a noun, means result. As a verb, it means to cause. Affect, when used as a verb, means to influence.

-- The storm affected outdoor events across the Midwest.
-- If I listen to his advice, it may affect my life in ways I can’t begin to imagine.

-- When they worked as a team, Sam and Jim achieved the effect they desired.
-- She believed that the cause was much less important than the effect.

7. “A no-brainer”
This jargon can be replaced with “easy” or “simple” or “not complicated.”

8. “At the end of the day”
If you really need a summary phrase, go with "finally" or "ultimately" instead. Try leaving off the jargon and see if your sentence reads fine without it.

9. Comprise vs Compose.
Comprise means “to include” or “to be composed of.” A basketball team comprises five players.
Comprise is often misused for compose. It’s common for speakers to say that a basketball team “is comprised of five players” instead of “is composed of five players.”

If you want to be completely safe from criticism, you should use composed of and not comprised of.

10. "Think outside the box”

People often use this phrase when talking to new job recruits or when encouraging creative thinking. Why not simply say, “we need more creativity”?

11. Website.
It’s one word. No hyphen.

12. Ensure vs. Insure
To ensure something is to make sure it happens—to guarantee it. To insure something or someone is to cover it with an insurance policy

13. With regard to vs. With regards to
With regard to is a preposition that signals a reference to the subject of a sentence. With regard to is the correct phrase. With regards to is a spelling error. You can send someone your regards, but in this case we are talking about “in reference to,” so keep it singular.

14. “It goes without saying”
If it goes without saying, then why the hell are you saying it?!?!

 

15. Who vs. Whom
In a sentence, who is used as a subject. Examples:
Who would like to go on vacation?
Who made these awesome quesadillas?

Whom is used as the object of a verb or preposition. Examples:

To whom was the letter addressed?
Whom do you believe?
I do not know with whom I will go to the prom.

 

Now read the revised paragraph:

Nothing could be further from the truth. Despite the pandemic, we’re heading toward a record year. Our gross margin improved to 80 percent from 60 percent. That’s a 20 percentage-point improvement, despite having fewer full-time people on staff. Our team is composed of top-notch professionals, who always make our clients happy. With regard to 2021, we are very optimistic. We just haven’t decided with whom we’ll go to the awards show.

Not perfect, but hopefully the revised paragraph sounds more fluid and economical to you.

Conclusion

I was a C student in high school English, by the way. Basic grammatical blocking and tackling is something I worked hard to improve over my career. You can, too. I just takes a little practice and discipline. Think of it as a new exercise routine for your brain. If nothing else, just don’t be a lazy writer or jargon-filled communicator. Your reputation is at stake.

As the old grammarian joke goes: The supermarket cashier understood that the phrase "12 Items or Less" violated a received rule of grammar. She just wished fewer people would complain to her about it.

 

For tips on improving your speaking and presentation skills, see Tina Dietz’s recent guest post  6 Tips for Being a Great Podcast Guest

Do you have a grammar pet peeve? What’s your take? I’d love to hear from you.

#bestpractices #clearwriting #businesscommunication #grammarflaws

Our Social Dilemma: What Big Tech Doesn’t Want You to Know This Holiday Season

With Covid cases spiking and freezing weather descending on the Northeast, my wife and I decided to test out our self-quarantining skills last weekend. Bottom line: we won’t be making a habit of self-imposed hibernation, but at least we caught up on yard work and all the shows we’ve been planning to watch.

Most of the shows are crap, but we did uncover 90 minutes’ worth of docudrama gold in the form of The Social Dilemma on Netflix.

With Holiday festivities and family gatherings likely to be dialed back this year, more people than ever are likely to seek solace and human engagement on their devices. That’s a downer for most folks, but the tech industry will be laughing all the way to the bank. As they say in Silicon Valley: “If you aren’t paying for the product then you ARE the product.”

The Social Dilemma is based on interviews with dozens of former Silicon Valley developers, product managers and business managers. It deftly exposes the hard truths about things like “surveillance capitalism” and “positive intermittent reinforcement” and explains them in a non-wonky way.

Director Jeff Orlowski (Chasing Ice and Chasing Coral) takes us inside the digital manipulation of human behavior for profit: Infinite scrolling and push notifications that keep users constantly engaged. Personalized recommendations use data not just to predict, but also to influence our actions, turning users into “easy prey for advertisers and propagandists.”

Think about how the tobacco industry targeted teens and tweens a generation ago and now multiply that by 1,000. As a parent of two Gen Z kids, I knew all the devices, apps and platforms were addictive--I just didn’t know how intentional the tech companies were about manipulating young peoples’ need for digital dopamine 24/7. A great line from the film asks viewers which other industries besides tech refer to their customers as “users”? Answer: Only one--drug dealers.

In one chilling graphic we see how an enormous spike in teen suicide and self-mutilation closely mirrors the rapid adoption rate of the iPhone first introduced in 2007. “What many people don’t realize is that these companies have entire teams of highly paid engineers whose job it is to use your psychology against you and use it for their profit,” related Tristan Harris, a former design “ethicist” at Google.

And that’s what is perhaps so disturbing in this era of “truth decay.” Our tech addiction has had a dangerous distortion of reality on everything from middle school popularity or Presidential elections.

During the film, Silicon Valley VC, Roger McNamee, an early investor in Facebook, delivers a chilling allegation: Russia didn’t hack Facebook; it simply used the platform.

Conclusion

The Social Dilemma is a cautionary tale for anyone who’s thinking about giving a tech gift this year or who’s thinking about hunkering around down with their devices to help them get through a long, dark, socially isolated winter. Just know that your streaming, clicking and swiping habits will be fed instantly into Netflix’s massive data-based algorithm.

What’s your take? I’d love to hear from you.

#Techaddiction #socialmedia  #TristanHarris  #JeffOrlowski #socialdilemma

6 Tips for Being a Great Podcast Guest

By TINA DIETZ, guest columnist

In today’s fast-paced, time-compressed world, audio is becoming an increasingly popular medium. More than one-third of Americans are tuning in to podcasts on a monthly basis and that number is expected to reach 132 million by 2022. 

In many ways, podcasting is the ideal learning and entertainment medium for busy, successful people like you and your clients. You can consume podcasts anytime, anywhere. For senior advisors, podcasting is an excellent platform for sharing your stories and for engaging in deeper conversation with time-pressed clients and other decisionmakers.

As a thought leader in our industry, I’m sure you’ve been invited on podcasts or have several that you’d like to be on. Before accepting and strapping on the headphones, consider these tips below:

6 Tips for Being a Great Podcast Guest:

1. Establish rapport with the host 

If the host likes to reading from scripted questions, then as a guest you will need some skills in developing intimacy with the host. Consider doing a thematic exercise in which you pretend the host is someone you know and like. In order to connect and calm your nerves, it’s helpful to imagine engaging in conversation with someone you have a close relationship with. 

Be warm and conversational. Coming across as relatable is more important than coming across as an expert. The more that you can create the vibe that you are sitting across from someone having a cup of coffee, the more successful you will be as a podcast guest.  

2. Imagine you are talking to the audience one-on-one 

When you’re speaking on a podcast, never forget you’re speaking directly into the listener’s ear. This is unlike speaking on a stage where there are multiple body language techniques and nonverbal cues to keep in mind. 

Podcasting is meant to be a more personal experience. When thinking about your message, make sure to start from that mentality. Leaders are the voice of their firms, so it’s important to ask yourself: “How do I want people to experience me? In terms of my energy and presence, how do I want to come across? What do I want listeners to take away from this?” 

3. Utilize different vocal techniques to increase your trustworthiness and credibility 

When it comes to positioning yourself as an expert, there are numerous factors that come into play – and your voice is one that often gets overlooked. The way you sound affects the way you are perceived; it affects your ability to get your message across. Mastering this technique takes practice. 

For example, lower pitched voices tend to be viewed as more credible. That’s not to suggest you’re doomed if you have a naturally high voice; however, it’s one piece of the puzzle, and having a deep voice will definitely give you a competitive edge. I have found there are four main areas to focus on: 

a)      Articulation – Clear pronunciation will make listeners consider you well-educated and intelligent. If you want to improve your articulation, repeat challenging words before going on the air until you pronounce them properly. Also, it’s very important to slow down the rate at which you speak when you’re on the air. Nerves and inexperience tend to make you talk faster than you think.

b)     Tempo – The speed at which you speak is what captivates the attention of the listener.  Tempo is highly individual but can make a difference in how listeners process the information you are sharing with them. When speech is too slow, people often become bored or disinterested. On the other hand, when speech is too fast, speakers may slur their words or fail to convey their message effectively.  

In terms of perceived credibility, a “normal” rate of delivery is ranked the highest. This means you need to be authentic and communicate in a way that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Your tempo can be improved by focusing on your breath. Many people don’t realize they hold their breath when they speak.  Make sure you are breathing naturally. 

c)      Fluidity – Your speech should have a smooth flow. Try to avoid using “um,” “like,” “you know” and other filler words that make you appear less articulate. We are often don’t realize how often we use these lazy filler words in our everyday speech. Break the habit! The less you reach for your filler words, the more confident you will appear. 

It’s better to be transparent with your thinking process. When asked a question, pause for a moment and if you need more time to answer, you can say “let me think about that.” This shows you care about the question and want to provide a thoughtful response.  

d)     Sonority – This refers to the pleasantness of your voice. To come across as more confident and credible, avoid uptalk--the tendency to make every statement you make sound like a question -- ”I think we should order an appetizer first?” It gives the impression that you don’t know what you’re talking about, or have very little confidence in what you are saying.  

Also, it’s important to be mindful of “vocal fry.” This is a way of speaking in which your voice sounds low and cracked. This speaking style is often associated with boredom and ditziness. 

4. Be willing to make requests  

Most podcasts are recorded ahead of time so edits can be made.  This is within the parameters of podcast etiquette, and hosts are generally appreciative when guests ask to revise and re-record their answers.  It takes a great deal of pressure off of you and the host if you make requests during an interview. So, if something isn’t sitting right with you, let the host know.  

5. Change up the narrative 

We are all familiar with the story structure, “Once upon a time…” and are used to hearing a narrative in chronological order with the big reveal uncovered only at the end of the story. 

What’s more interesting as a listener? “Once upon a time there was a boy named Johnny?” or “Johnny couldn’t believe his eyes. He turned the corner and saw…” 

When you write out a narrative, start at the middle or at the end, rather than the beginning. Here’s why: We lean into the conversations when we hear a result. We think to ourselves, “Well how did that happen? And then what?”  

This is how you pull in a listener.  On a podcast when you have limited time to tell your full story, a ‘once upon a time’ narrative risks causing most people to zone out after 30 seconds. Try to turn stories on their head to make storytelling more exciting. Drop people into the story from the middle or the end to create intrigue. 

6. Help the host prepare beforehand and follow up after  

In terms of preparing for the podcast, send the host the proper pronunciation of your first and last name, links to your social media profiles, your headshot, and suggested questions that might help the host get inspired. This will make you stand out as a guest. 

Finally, follow up with a thank you email to the host after your interview, and share your podcast episode with your networks when it goes live. Thank the host again in any communications on social media. This courtesy helps strengthen your relationships and increases your chances of being referred to another interview opportunity.  

Conclusion

As the old saying goes: “You only get one chance to make a first impression.” Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be invited back again and again to share your expertise with an ever-expanding number of followers and admirers.

Did you find these tips helpful? Do you know of any that aren’t on the list?

---

Tina Dietz is an internationally acclaimed speaker, audio publisher and podcast advisor to HB Publishing & Marketing Company. Visit her at Twin Flames Studios

#Podcasting #practicemanagement #thoughtleadership #avoiduptalk #vocalfry 

Let’s Agree to Disagree

I finally got around to reading “A Warning,” the best-selling insider look at the Trump White House by the author known simply as “Anonymous.” Published in late 2019, there has been tremendous speculation about who the author was. He or she seemed to have deep insider access to many high-level meetings in and around the Oval Office. 

Last week the author finally came forward. In somewhat of a letdown, it turned out to be Miles Taylor, a youthful former mid-level staffer in the Department of Homeland Security. Not exactly in Trump’s inner circle, but close enough to provide a reasonably accurate assessment of what he saw from the “box seats” as one reviewer described the author’s reporting.

While the book was generally panned by the critics, A Warning did remind us about what happens in all types of organizations when people become lose their courage to question authority when they see things that are morally, ethically and legally wrong. Taylor left government work in 2018, and hid his identity in order to avoid the President’s personal attacks and to force Trump to address the issues the book raised.

Regardless of where you are on the political spectrum, I still recommend reading Anonymous as we wait for Tuesday’s election results to be officially tallied. Taylor—a self-described history buff—weaves in valuable perspective about what happens when powerful societies as far back as the ancient Greeks and Romans let hubris and divisiveness get in the way of democracy and common sense. Perhaps the books should be re-titled: “A Cautionary Tale.”

Taylor argues that we have two choices today:  ”We can bury our heads in the sand hoping it gets better by itself. Or we can recognize the situation for what it is and, rather than allow political turmoil to hasten our demise, begin a restoration.” He adds that we need a “civil renaissance for our day and age that requires active participation in our civic life.”

Moving forward

One of the first steps in making that happen, wrote Taylor, is straightening out the media by “restoring a climate of truth, by clearing the air of misinformation and changing how we report, consume and share news so we aren’t living in different realities.”

Ironically, Taylor told CNN’s Anderson Cooper in an on-air interview in August that he WAS NOT the author of “Anonymous.” A month later he became a paid CNN contributor and remains employed there as this post went live.

If you do plunk down hard cash on the book, know that Taylor refused advance payment for his work and he has pledged to donate a large portion of any royalties to nonprofit organizations, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, the membership organization for reporters who cover the president. Hmmm.

Taylor concludes his book with the observation that we must also “relearn the art of agreeing to disagree with people whose political views we don’t share.” He added that it’s also important for us to “begin re-associating in person. Sadly, our growing interconnectedness online is making us disconnected from one another, so we must find new ways to engage,” he adds in the final pages.

Conclusion

You may not agree with Taylor’s account of the White House or the politically motivated timing of his self-revelation. However, it’s important to gain perspective from people from all walks of life, not just from those who share your own viewpoints, experiences and financial circumstances.

Bottom line: You don’t need to read “A Warning” from cover to cover, but it’s worth a good skim shortly before or after you head to the polls.

What’s your take? I’d love to hear from you.

#Election #civildiscourse #respect #milestaylor #AWarning