Don’t Confuse Your Audience. Get Your Message Across

If you are a writer, public speaker, or both, you have come to realize how vitally important it is to be as precise as you can in delivering your message. While there are literally hundreds of words that are often confused and used inappropriately, here I’m only initially identifying twelve words that in my experience are often confused and which I confess to sometimes confusing them myself. Here they are:
 
1. Principal, principle. These often confused words have clearly defined and distinguishable meaning. As an noun, principle means a sum of money, a chief person, the head man. The principal invested in that scheme amounted to $5000. The principal of this school is a woman of remarkable vigor. As an adjective, principal means main or foremost. His principal aim is to get well.  Again, principle, as a noun only, means a governing rule or truth, a doctrine, a determined course of action. The manager is a man of sound ethical principle.

2.Rational, rationale. Rational, an adjective, means of sound mind, sane, logical, reasonable, sensible. Your explanation is entirely rational. This is a rational plan for lowering the sales tax in this state. Rationale, a noun, means, a logical basis, fundamental reasons,  and exposition of principles. I cannot understand the rationale for your actions. Does deliberate cruelty ever have a defensible rationale?

3. Orient, orientate. Each of these verbs means to familiarize with conditions, to adjust to surroundings. This training program will  orient (or orientate) you in your new position. The lectures are designed to  orient all recruits. Orient is preferable to orientate and is much more commonly used.

3. Belittle, disparage. These words are related in meaning: to speak of as unimportant, to regard something as less  important or impressive than it apparently is. Disparage is a stronger word than belittle in that intends to bring reproach or discredit upon the topic being considered, whereas belittle means simply to make less, to minimize. Don’t belittle my efforts, I’m trying hard.

4. Lonely. Lonesome. These words mean about the same thing and are frequently  used interchangeably. A lonely person is likely to be lonesome because  he is without companions or remote from places of human habitation. Lonesome rather than lonely is more often to mean isolated, desolate, and unfrequented. The narrow path wound through a lonesome stretch of the country. Lonely conveys a feeling of dejection, or sadness. Janet was in tears because she felt so lonely.

5. Eminent, imminent. Eminent means distinguished, high in rank, noteworthy. An eminent statesmen. Imminent, means about to occur, impending, . An imminent rain  squall.

6. Monologue, dialogue. From Greek terms meaning one word or one person, monologue refers to a speech by one person. Dialogue, from Greek words meaning two words or two speeches, refers to conversation between two or more persons. Dialogue is popularly used to refer to an exchange of ideas on the issues of politics, human rights, economics, religion. The managers and workers in this plant should have a dialogue about their common problems. 



For the correct pronunciation of these words, refer to a good desktop college edition dictionary.  


Look for more clarification of confusing words in a future post.

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Six Keys for Growing and Managing Your Business

If you are a fellow member of the self-employed, then your time is money. Time wasted is money wasted. Not only must you handle your time effectively, you also must have certain tasks pre-identified that will help you to both manage and grow your business.

Here are six keys that I have found to be useful:

1. Organize your day into time segments associated with specific tasks. Look at the specific tasks that allow you to both manage your consultancy and keep it growing. Here are some tasks that I have found to be necessary in my consultant work: Accounting, Organizing, Copywriting (including article and blog writing), Phone Calls, Letter Writing (including e-mailing), and Meetings.

2. Associate the time of day which you work best on each task. For example, I don't like to end my day with a disorganized desk so Organizing would be the last task I will do. The beginning of my day will be devoted to writing blogs and articles. During that time I tend to be fresher, more alert, and more creative. I allow time for Phone Calls during the day integrated with time set aside for Meetings. Letter Writing and Accounting are tasks that I do two or three times a week as needed. I periodically allow time for Letter Writing in the morning after Copywriting and an hour in the evening for Accounting before Organizing.

3. Check your e-mail during the time during the day that you would start your Phone Calls task. Follow up as needed or "star" the item for later follow up.

4. Set up a form to capture the essence of the conversations you have during the day. You need to capture the date, the person, the phone number, and the conversation. Just write it down when the conversation has ended. If you have a computer application to record the conversation, do it later.

5. Learn to use the keyboard instead of being a slave to the mouse. Use keyboard shortcuts for opening Microsoft Explorer (winkey key + E); to bring the desk top of other windows (winkey + D); and to minimize all windows (winkey +M). Use Ctrl + A to select all text; Ctrl +X, to cut selected items; and, Ctrl + V to paste selected items.

6. Have a specific time to end your day. You need time for Rest, Reflection, and Rejuvenation. Keep the three Rs in mind always. Do not allow yourself to be burned out. Keep stress at a minimum.Use it to spur yourself to greater achievement.

When Organizing, be sure to prepare for next day. Do not retire for the evening until this is done.


Do you have some keys that you have found to be effective?
Leave your comments below.

10 Ways to Help Your Audience Remember Your Power Point or Winging It Presentation

In my recent article on PowerPoint Presentation or Winging It , I mentioned that I will be giving Presentation Tips based upon my experience in integrating PowerPoint and Winging It in my free monthly newsletter.

However, in this post, I want to just give you 10 ways to help your audience to remember your message whether you are making a PowerPoint Presentation or Winging It. 

Here they are:

1. People remember the first and last things you say. Put your most important points up front and drive them home.

2. Audiences absorb as little as 25% of what you are saying. Be clear, logical, succinct, and repeat your message.

3. Attention spans are short, so don't get bogged down in extraneous detail. Make every sentence count.

4. People retain visual information. Paint pictures with your words in vibrant language.

5. First impressions are difficult to change. Look, act, and speak like a confident professional.

6. Research shows that your message is conveyed: 7% through words; 38% through your vocal inflection; and 55% through body signals. Rehearse not just words, but your voice and actions.

7. Never read your presentation to the audience. 93% of your message is non-verbal. Eye contact, smiles, and natural gestures help to make the audience like you.

8. Don't try to be who you are not. Let your own personality shine through rather than trying to copy another speaker.

9. Make sure your audio-visuals, PowerPoint, or whatever are of top caliber, and use them properly and effectively.

10. Practice Q & A in advance. Ask some of your colleagues to come up with some questions that your presentation is likely to generate. Ask yourself ten questions you would hate to get. Fashion your answers in advance.

As I mentioned in my article, I have a preference for Winging It and have been successful in doing so, but since everyone now expects to have a PowerPoint presentation when they come to a workshop, I have decided to integrate PowerPoint in my presentations.
 
What is your preference?