Further to the post earlier this week on the language you must use if you want people to think you’re a bit of a knob or a management consultant (I know!), here’s a much more comprehensive list of ‘things you should never say if you want people to-
- listen to you.
- Sleep with you…’
It’s from the UK’s Independent newspaper, and makes a perfect e-gift for a colleague, senior or client who finds themselves speaking to a room of sleeping people, too often for it to be the room’s fault.
My favourites? Leverage as a verb, going forward (I’d prefer to hear the plan for going backwards, actually.)
Though I do like, and will probably use no 84.
The only problem for the would be jargon-free, is that it might be that that’s how your client talks. The only justification for talking bollocks, of course. And still not much of one. Most clients don’t really notice if you drop the argot. But they notice that you’re easier to understand than most of your competitors.
This is a part of my Fit, Focus & Flair model. To be great, a presentation must be a perfect FIT for the situation; the content must have complete FOCUS on it’s purpose and message; and it must have enough FLAIR to stand out on the day, and in our memories. Learn more about developing your Fit, Focus and Flair.