What does customer service mean? Or leadership or business process re-engineering? Your definition may barely resemble the way your colleague defines any word.
In recent Presentation Skills workshops I've been leading I ask the group--10 colleagues who've worked together for at least several years--to write down the 10 words that come to mind when they hear a ve simple word--the word 'run'. After 30 seconds they pair up and compare lists. Of the 5 pairs in each group, not one pair had 3 or more matching words. In fact, only one pair had 2 matching words.
For a simple word like 'run' there are so many possibilities! Imagine how broad and varied the lists would be for some of the words and concepts used by speakers to business audiences.
The solution to this problem of likely confusion is to be very descriptive about your important words.
Here's an example: If you're providing supply chain management, don't define this with more jargon. Tell a story, starting with the problem (always missing deadlines and driving up operating costs), the obstacles in the way of improvements (set-in-their ways managers, employees doing 45 hours worth of work in 40 hours, etc). Then describe using adjectives and dramatic flair how your company helped overcome these obstacles and in glowing unmistakable terms the results achieved.
Great business speakers help their audiences feel and experience the problems and the results. How do you reduce misinterpretation when you speak? Share your ideas through our comment link.
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