Choose Your Words Wisely

Choose Your Words Wisely
by Michael S. Clouse

Words have always fascinated me. Take, for example, the comparable
expressions of education and training. Both basically intend the same
thing and convey the equivalent idea—right? So could it really matter
which you use when describing what you really mean to say?

Before you answer too quickly, let me ask you: Is there a
distinction—perhaps even a fundamental difference—between sex education
and sex training?

And if you're still not convinced that what you say may be as important
as how you say it, consider enrolling your 16-year-old daughter in that
next sex training class!

By the way if you're interested, we train animals, teach children and
educate adults. Unless of course the adults are behaving like animals or
children, in which case it does become a judgment call...

Let's face it—words do matter.

Over the last several months I've noticed—and I'm sure you have too—a
certain language developing within our industry. A language much more
DEstructive than CONstructive.

Some of the words being used to explain what we do are making our
business appear tawdry and cheap... And if we're ever going to elevate
our vocation to the highest level possible, there is a bit of vocabulary
cleanup that I say (with words) we need to do.

Therefore, let's all agree to upgrade the professionalism of our
language as follows:

Incorrect Replace With Correct

Deal or Opportunity Business
Program Company
Recruit Sponsor or Enroll
Residual Income Ongoing Income
Infinity Bonus Significant Income
Pitch Presentation
Marketing Plan Compensation
My Group, Organization The Group, Organization

It's simple: We're not in a deal, we're in a business; so the
information you requested on my program becomes the information you
requested on the company. The Army recruits bodies, we sponsor people.
And using the word infinity to denote your pay plan will get you into
trouble quicker than you can say "Attorney General." Better we all share
the benefits of ongoing income that can indeed be significant...

Pitch belongs in baseball, not in your presentation. The marketing plan
isn't how we market, it's how we're compensated, and therefore it's a
compensation plan. And please understand that as long as a distributor
uses the word "my" to denote their business, they are overseeing an
organization of one—which is, of course, the loneliest number.

>From this day forward let's choose our words wisely, and together we
can
continue to create an industry that we are all proud to represent.

All the best,

MSC

Copyright 2002 by Michael S. Clouse.
_______

Michael S. Clouse
Editor-in-Chief, Nexera e-News™.
Former Editor-in-Chief, Upline® Journal.

University of Illinois at Chicago
Certified Network Marketing Professional.

Author of Future Choice, Building Your Empire,
Seven Prospecting Secrets, Business Is Booming!
Prospecting 101, and The TeleCoaching Workshop.


Back To Index