| When
I entered the sales world, one of the first things my
manager taught me was to keep my presentation so clear
and uncluttered that a child could understand what I was
saying. This advice has had a lasting impact on my life.
I frequently remind my audiences that I speak and write
at the 7th grade, 9th month level. I do this because I've
discovered that at that level virtually everyone can clearly
understand the message--even college professors! I include
college professors because they're real people, and they,
too, deserve to understand.
As
my friend, Dr. Steve Franklin, a college professor from
Emory University who taught me this, said, "The great
truths in life are the simple ones. You do not need
three moving parts and four syllables for it to be significant."
He then pointed out that "There are only three pure
colors--but look what Michelangelo did with them. There
are only seven notes, but look at what Chopin, Beethoven
and Vivaldi did with them. For that matter, look at
what Elvis did with two!"
Most
of us prefer things we can understand. Lincoln's Gettysburg
Address is short and clear with nearly 80 percent of
the words only one syllable. "God is love"--three words,
all of them one syllable.
Seriously,
now, when you ask someone what they had for breakfast,
would you really appreciate it if they responded that
they had the "upper part of a hog's hind leg, with two
oval bodies encased in a shell laid by a female bird?"
Or would you prefer to have the person answer, "We had
ham and eggs for breakfast"?
And
remember, language changes. At one time we referred
to a person who spread rumors around the office as a
"gossip." Now that person is called an "information
specialist."
Personally,
I prefer simple, clear, direct communications. I'm convinced
that most people do. Keep your communications "simple,"
and I'll SEE YOU AT THE TOP!
To
receive more information about Zig Ziglar and/or to purchase his
best-selling audios and books go to www.yoursuccessstore.com
and save 20% or call 877-929-0439. |