Dahle Communication

Watch the context of your language - why MSNBC should learn slang

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One of the sad things about not having cable anymore is that I don't watch The Daily Show on a regular basis. I try to catch it on-line the next day if at all possible, but have missed more than a few episodes. I was lucky enough to catch Thursday's show about the tax protests that were organized by the republican party. While the commentary on the protests was quite funny, it was how the major news sources covered the event that was so entertaining. MSNBC decided to use the phrase "tea-bagging" because of the references to the Boston Tea Party protests that the protest organizers wanted to emulate (it is near the end of the clip above). Unfortunately, the phrase "tea-bagging" has taken on quite a different definition than the one that MSNBC was aware of. As the Daily Show pointed out, that type of phrase is used by The Daily Show!

While funny, speakers also need to be aware of current slang and use of phrases when they are talking. While you might think that there is nothing that can be misconstrued in your speech, you should take another look. Maybe have someone younger look it over to see if they notice anything. Words take on different meanings over the years and slag terms can change quickly. It is better to be safe than sorry.

While I love a good laugh and unintended humor is usually the best, I don't want to see you do something that people are going to laugh about. You want people to remember your speech and presentation for its content - not your unintended humor.

Travis

Pay Attention To Detail

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Being a fan of The Daily Show and have met former Sen. Tom Daschle on several occasions, I had to include this video.  If you haven't heard, Sen. Daschle had to pay well over $100,000 dollars in back taxes when the Obama team was vetting him for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services.  I think Jon Stewart sums it up perfectly when he says "Pay you **** taxes!"  

So I ask this of you in regards to presentations, your business and your brand: Are you paying attention to the details?  Sometimes small things that you don't think are that big of an issue can become a big issue in a hurry.  This can create serious issues for you in a variety of ways.  If you are not paying attention to the details in your presentations, you can make some critical mistakes that might cost you some business.  Also, make sure you are paying attention to details in other aspects of your business...it might be a simple mistake that you had no intention of creating...but it is still a mistake that you will be held accountable for.  I don't think Tom Daschle was trying to avoid paying his taxes and create a problem for the Obama administration...but he did.

Travis