Does our Business operate on a "Pure Language"?

Imagine a leaflet has dropped through your door offering the most amazing offer on something you needed.

What would you do?

Naturally you would study the “small print”.

Just as you would look closely at a contract to be clear, since “the devil is in the detail”.

The term simply suggests we might be misled if not looking closely at the facts.

When you consider how much of the Important details are in small print, it suggests there is a practice intended to distract you.

The question arises then does our Business operate on a “Pure Language”?

No sensible Business can expect to exist for long when details are hidden either in words and print.

“Pure Language” is making things clear before expecting someone to agree.

Sales people should answer questions clearly and accurately.

Providing a false Impression will lead to conflict.

No-one likes unexpected surprises.

If you cannot deliver tomorrow, admit it rather than extract the order or explain it will take three days.

Never overstate facts and figures.

An argument is only won when the facts support it.

Telling the Truth shows a quality of your Brand and Service and of YOU.

Promising the Impossible in hope is unprofessional and damaging to a relationship.

Short term thinkers promise the Earth and deliver nothing, whereas long term thinkers are realistic.

Deliver more than you promise and you will gain friends and customers that last.

An attempt to hide something is destined to fail.

If a question feels awkward it’s usually because the real answer is revealing or uncomfortable.

“Pure Language” can NEVER leave you feeling awkward because it’s the Truth.

Never forget either, that the Truth has a ring to it and your audience will recognise it.

Small print assumes people can be misled. What else is it for?

If we operate on it – how could we ever claim a “Pure Language”?

Brian Clough made comments relevant to Business

Anyone (of a certain age) who has an interest in football will recall Brian Clough in his days as Manager of Derby County FC, Nottingham Forest FC and for 44 days, Leeds United FC.

To say he could be eccentric is probably an understatement but he was a character who guaranteed entertainment, especially with his comments.

He once observed “Laughter is Important. Show me a club where there’s laughter in the dressing room as well as talent in the team and I will show you a Club that wins things”.

The same is true of any business.

If you have ever sensed a tense environment when visiting a Company, I would hazard they are under achieving.

Talent and good humour will always lead to success and Cloughie also noted the next challenge when he said “Success is hard to come by, but hanging onto it is harder still”.

Business is very much like sport in that it needs to remain very fluid.

You need to have the best team and continue to raise the bar in order to succeed.

Your competitor will eventually work out your strengths so to stay ahead you need to Innovate and continue to be at the top of your game.

A good environment is vital for staff to learn and gain confidence but tactical training enables them to lead from the front.

Clough also knew the value of a strong mental attitude observing “Sometimes you win football matches in the most unusual places – like before you have even set foot on a field”.

No-one ever won unless they believed they could and winning becomes a habit for those who believe.

Clough’s confidence resulted in gaining the nickname “Big Head” but he had huge kindness.

You can’t help thinking he liked to confuse people but his humour was never far away.

On a cold winters night having gone to bed Brian’s devoted wife Barbara said “God, your feet are cold!”

Quick as a flash Clough replied “You can call me Brian when we are in bed, Barbara”

He was a “one off” but there was always something hidden in what he said.