Posts by Susan Mangiero
Persuade by Avoiding the Jargon Shark
In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Jaws, the blockbuster film that gave new meaning to “Don’t swim with sharks,” it seems fitting to focus on persuasion nasties. Not surprisingly, this includes an overreliance on arcane vocabulary, inappropriate or hard-to-grasp references, and complicated words that could readily be replaced with ordinary conversational language. Jargon impedes persuasion…
Read MorePersuade by Decluttering Your Message
Simplicity and clarity are cornerstones of persuasive communications. To influence others, you need to have an ironclad idea of what message you want to share with your audience and then figure out the best delivery mechanism. A wobbly or complicated message is nothing more than an invitation for your listeners, readers, or viewers to tune…
Read MoreTips for Persuading Corporate Committees
Trying to convince a group of executive decision makers is not the same as getting a single individual to sign onto the dotted line. The distinction is critically important at a time when decisions such as whether to buy a product or service, hire or fire a consultant, or modify strategy or brand messaging are…
Read MorePersuading to Build Trust Requires the Human Touch
Persuasion isn’t just about getting someone to buy from you. Smart organizations must exercise their persuasion muscles to attract and retain high-energy, clever, resolute, and motivated employees. Using technology can help busy HR and line managers by lowering expenses, saving time, and weeding out unqualified candidates. Unfortunately, like any tool, too much of a good…
Read More