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 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 profession. 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:
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 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 profession. 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
Deal or Opportunity Recruit Residual Income Infinity Bonus Pitch Marketing Plan My Group, Organization |
Replace With
|
Correct
Business or Company Sponsor or Enroll Ongoing Income Significant Income Presentation Compensation 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 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 a profession we are all proud to represent.
All the best,
MSC
©1996 by Michael S. Clouse – All International Rights Reserved.
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 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 a profession we are all proud to represent.
All the best,
MSC
©1996 by Michael S. Clouse – All International Rights Reserved.