Communications/Storytelling Even In the Most Unlikely Professions

I dislike lawyers. I really do. I can say this in spite of the fact that my three best friends are lawyers. It has taken me some time, but I can grudgingly admit that maybe not all lawyers are evil.

I came across an article in the AJC that was actually a nice, inspiring story about a former lawyer who decided he wanted to make an impact on kids’ lives and made a career transition to teaching. In his previous profession, this man used to “tell stories” to try to keep prisoners off of death row. He realized that judges need to see each client as a human so he changed his communication strategy to telling humane stories instead of just spouting legal jargon, which was boring his audience. So instead he talked about how one of his clients served in the Army or how another client had suffered wrongdoings earlier in his life. Let’s forget for a second the victims and their family members who may have suffered at the hands of these criminals who were now getting off easier due to the finesse of this lawyer. This story is not about that and it does seem like Mr. former lawyer is more than making up for it.

This storytelling method he used actually succeeded in helping some of his clients and just goes to show how important targeting your message is to the correct audience. It applies to all small businesses and entrepreneurs. If your audience isn’t responding, change your communication tone and message and it just may prove effective.

A Student for Life

I have one more week of my Grammar Refresher course I am taking through Evenings at Emory. I have said this before, but something about being on a bustling college campus just makes me feel more intelligent. I guess it's being surrounded by students and the general academic ambiance. Even the musty library we meet in smells smart!

A six-week course definitely forces one to dedicate time and attention to the subject at hand in addition to physically attending the class. It's the only way someone can really learn and retain the information. My subject was grammar and I was very intent about getting and retaining a good overview and really learning the basics again. As I have heard from friends pursuing their Masters Degree, you become very serious about your education and school when you are older and can appreciate the time commitment and financial commitment attached to it.

I have signed up for one more course on Copy Editing and Proofreading for the end of this month and I look forward to seeing where and how I can apply my new knowledge and skills. Ongoing education is so important and I definitely recommend an Evening at Emory program.

What's IN What's OUT

I love lists that tell consumers what's "in" and what's "out." They usually tend to be ridiculous and dramatic but I actually rather liked this one I found in People Magazine's Style issue. Here are a few things from it (I particulariy agree with what's "out")

In:
Competitive Workouts (Biggest Loser style to cheer each other on)
Sports Bars (cheap beer - a sign of the times)

Out:
Wireless Ear Pieces (this is "a relic of precollapse Wall Street" according to the Zandl Group)
Trashing Electronics (recycle them instead!)