Using The Right Words
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 thinking that
what you say may not 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.
Here's what I mean...
Over the last several years 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.
With this in mind, let's all agree
to upgrade the professionalism of our language as follows:
|
Incorrect Replaced With |
Correct |
| Deal or Opportunity |
Business |
| Program |
Company |
| Recruit |
Sponsor/Enroll |
| Residual Income |
Ongoing Income |
| Pitch |
Presentation |
| Marketing Plan |
Compensation Plan |
| My Team |
The Team |
| My Organization |
The Organization |
It's simple: We're not in a deal,
we're in a business. The information you requested
on my program becomes the information you requested
on the company. The Army recruits bodies, we
sponsor, or enroll
people. And using the word residual to
denote your pay plan will get you into trouble quicker
than you can say "Attorney General." Better we share
all the benefits of ongoing income...
Pitch belongs in baseball, not in
your presentation.
The marketing plan isn't how we
market, it's how we are compensated, and therefore
it's the compensation plan. And please understand
that if you successfully teach every distributor
on the team to use the word "my" to denote their
business, they will be 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
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© 2006 by Michael S. Clouse. All Rights Reserved.
About the author:
In addition to over 50 published articles on the
subject of Network Marketing,
Michael S. Clouse
is the author of numerous books
and CD programs on the
subject of Network Marketing. An
internationally recognized Network Marketing expert, Michael
is a well respected business consultant,
personal success coach, and a dynamic
educational speaker. His
weekly
newsletter is read by
tens of thousands of Network Marketing Professionals around
the world.
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