Al Gore's Energy Use - an Update
I recently blogged about the apparent hypocrisy between Al Gore's message about energy conservation and his own home's extravagant electricity use. One of my readers referred me to the Snopes site for more information about this claim.
Young African student gets world-wide fame through blogging
William Kamkwamba, a 19-year-old high school student from Malawi, found world-wide fame by publishing a blog about his story of creating an electricity-generating windmill from bicycle parts.
What's even more amazing is that he saw the Internet for the first time just a month earlier!
What's even more amazing is that he saw the Internet for the first time just a month earlier!
Al Gore's own highly inconvenient truth
Al Gore, worldwide standard-bearer for climate change environmentalists, doesn't practise what he preaches, according to the Tennessee Center for Policy Research. According to their report (using figures from the Nashville Electric Service), Gore's elaborate mansion in Nashville consumes more electricity each month than the average American household in an entire year!
This is not about the global warming debate. It's about the integrity of you, the messenger, when presenting your message. If you promote yourself as an authority - and you should - be willing to back it up when people examine your life. People now have more access than ever to information, and better ways of sharing it than ever before.
This is not about the global warming debate. It's about the integrity of you, the messenger, when presenting your message. If you promote yourself as an authority - and you should - be willing to back it up when people examine your life. People now have more access than ever to information, and better ways of sharing it than ever before.
You can get further with a kind word and a gun
Guests were enjoying a late lunch in a posh Washington home when a gunman burst in on them, demanding money. Rather than panicking, one of the guests invited the gunman to sit down with them and enjoy a glass of wine. One glass led to another, until - well-fed with plenty of French red and Camembert cheese - the would-be bandit asked for hugs from the party before departing empty-handed!
Know their biases
We like to think we're rational, logical thinkers, but most people make decisions by emotion, and justify them by logic and reason. So it's important to understand some of the emotional biases that affect our thinking.
This excellent introduction to emotional biases can help. First, it helps you understand people's natural inclinations, so you know what biases you have to overcome in delivering your message. Second, it helps you frame your message in the best way for your audience to accept.
For example, if you say, "This treatment saves 1,000 lives", it receives a lukewarm response from a layperson, because they don't have any frame of reference for the number. But if you say, "This treatment saves 98% of 1,000 lives", or even "This treatment saves 85% of 1,000 lives", it elicits a stronger response, because 98% is obviously "very good" in their minds.
This excellent introduction to emotional biases can help. First, it helps you understand people's natural inclinations, so you know what biases you have to overcome in delivering your message. Second, it helps you frame your message in the best way for your audience to accept.
For example, if you say, "This treatment saves 1,000 lives", it receives a lukewarm response from a layperson, because they don't have any frame of reference for the number. But if you say, "This treatment saves 98% of 1,000 lives", or even "This treatment saves 85% of 1,000 lives", it elicits a stronger response, because 98% is obviously "very good" in their minds.
Bad PowerPoint hurts the brain
University of NSW Professor John Sweller, interviewed on ABC's Radio National, talks about the use of bad PowerPoint, and how it can confuse audiences.
Well, duh! - I hear you cry - and with reason. Obviously bad PowerPoint is bad - as anybody who's sat through a bad PowerPoint presentation knows. But let's note a couple of points from this research ...
First, Professor Sweller is specifically talking about slides overloaded with text, which force the audience to simultaneously process too much information verbally and visually.
Second, he says that use of good visual information - such as simple graphs, easy-to-understand tables and pictures - do help.
Well, duh! - I hear you cry - and with reason. Obviously bad PowerPoint is bad - as anybody who's sat through a bad PowerPoint presentation knows. But let's note a couple of points from this research ...
First, Professor Sweller is specifically talking about slides overloaded with text, which force the audience to simultaneously process too much information verbally and visually.
Second, he says that use of good visual information - such as simple graphs, easy-to-understand tables and pictures - do help.
George Bush is funny (intentionally, I mean)
Even George W. Bush can be funny, given enough time and the right speech writers. In this speech to the Radio and TV Correspondents Associations, he starts with a very humorous segment:
Some of the humour is foreign to non-Americans, but there's still enough funny stuff in there for everybody.
In particular, note the way he makes fun of his own lack of intellectual depth (where he describes the book he's planning to write, comparing it to Clinton's). This is a great use of self-deprecating humour, and acknowledging the resistance in the audience's mind.
Some of the humour is foreign to non-Americans, but there's still enough funny stuff in there for everybody.
In particular, note the way he makes fun of his own lack of intellectual depth (where he describes the book he's planning to write, comparing it to Clinton's). This is a great use of self-deprecating humour, and acknowledging the resistance in the audience's mind.
Free samples influence shoppers to buy more ... of anything
It's long been known that offering a free sample increases sales. It invokes the reciprocity principle and the risk reversal principle.
But a new study has discovered a surprising twist: Consumers who were given a sample of tasty food or drink were more likely to seek out any other pleasurable things, including unrelated things like massages and holidays.
But a new study has discovered a surprising twist: Consumers who were given a sample of tasty food or drink were more likely to seek out any other pleasurable things, including unrelated things like massages and holidays.
Peer Influence Used to Stop Anti-Social Behaviour
The University of Kentucky is taking a new approach to reduce the problem of violence against women on campus: Social proof.
Its The Violence Intervention and Prevention Center is no longer relying on traditional methods, such as one-time programming and awareness campaigns - which have been shown to be ineffective. Instead, they are focusing on teaching people how to take the initiative in group situations, and become more active in taking action, rather than relying on somebody else in the group to go first.
This is an application of the Social Proof principle: In a group situation, people naturally look to others for cues to take action. It takes a concerted effort to educate them to act differently.
Its The Violence Intervention and Prevention Center is no longer relying on traditional methods, such as one-time programming and awareness campaigns - which have been shown to be ineffective. Instead, they are focusing on teaching people how to take the initiative in group situations, and become more active in taking action, rather than relying on somebody else in the group to go first.
This is an application of the Social Proof principle: In a group situation, people naturally look to others for cues to take action. It takes a concerted effort to educate them to act differently.
Pain or pleasure? Whatever suits you best!
There's an old belief that people are more motivated by pain than by pleasure. But this isn't necessarily true. Some people are motivated by pain; others by pleasure. Tailor your message to match their motivation, and you have a greater chance of having an impact.
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology supports this point. Researchers tested pain-oriented messages and pleasure-oriented messages on a group of people, and confirmed that the biggest impact occurred when the message matched the person's natural motivation orientation. QED!
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology supports this point. Researchers tested pain-oriented messages and pleasure-oriented messages on a group of people, and confirmed that the biggest impact occurred when the message matched the person's natural motivation orientation. QED!
Don't get too clever in your writing
This wrongly-constructed sentence appeared in the 18th July issue of The West Australian:
Whatever the police dress code in Western Australia, it's unlikely to be thongs and shorts!
A correct version, of course, is, "Police said he, while wearing thongs and shorts, performed stunt manoeuvres ..."
Whatever the police dress code in Western Australia, it's unlikely to be thongs and shorts!
A correct version, of course, is, "Police said he, while wearing thongs and shorts, performed stunt manoeuvres ..."
How NOT to use the scarcity principle
For years, Readers Digest has been sending junk mail to anybody and everybody. Presumably their marketing works, but some of it makes me cringe.
Their latest package to me had this stupid phrase "Deadline Compliant", as if that would make me more inclined to respond!
If you're using the scarcity principle to urge people to take action, don't do it this way. Be credible, appropriate, and - above all - respectful!
Their latest package to me had this stupid phrase "Deadline Compliant", as if that would make me more inclined to respond!
If you're using the scarcity principle to urge people to take action, don't do it this way. Be credible, appropriate, and - above all - respectful!
Steve Jobs' Greatest Presentation
If you're looking for a simple formula for making a great presentation, Carmine Gallo thinks he's got it for you. In his analysis of Steve Jobs' presentation introducing the iPhone, he talks about the five key elements that Jobs used:
My only caution is to note that Jobs was making his presentation at MacWorld, to an audience of cult-like Apple fans. You won't always get the chance to speak to such a responsive audience!
- Build tension
- One theme per slide
- Add pizzazz
- Practise
- Be honest and show enthusiasm
My only caution is to note that Jobs was making his presentation at MacWorld, to an audience of cult-like Apple fans. You won't always get the chance to speak to such a responsive audience!
MySpace can make or break your reputation
Media expert Penny Mulvey reports how a Myspace page can harm a politician's reputation - and it wasn't even his own page!
Fraser's Restaurant
I'm going out to dinner tomorrow night, and chose one of Perth's nicest restaurants, Fraser's. I went to their Web site to make a booking, and I was particularly impressed with their reservations page.
Not only does it make the reservation process easy, it adds this reassuring comment:
By the way, my confirmation did arrive within the hour, as promised.
Not only does it make the reservation process easy, it adds this reassuring comment:
Please note that all online reservations will be confirmed via email, if you do not receive an email within 1 hour of sending your on line reservation request please call 9482 0100 to ensure we have your reservation.Is that really reassuring, you might ask? After all, isn't that admitting that the system might fail? Yes, but ... Internet users often worry that on-line messages get lost or ignored. Fraser's Restaurant is doing the right thing by acknowledging that concern and then addressing it. Smart!
By the way, my confirmation did arrive within the hour, as promised.
Mika Brzezinski: The reason why
As a follow-up to my earlier story about MSNBC newsreader Mika Brzezinski refusing to read a Paris Hilton article, her co-host interviews her on her reasons why she acted as she did.
The best speaker you could ever be?
Ian Berry, a long-time and respected client, has just read my book Magnetic Messages, and wrote a kind testimonial for it. Thanks, Ian!
Ian publishes an excellent blog, So What's Next? Highly recommended.
Ian publishes an excellent blog, So What's Next? Highly recommended.
Management Memo
SICK DAYS:
We will no longer accept a doctor statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.
SURGERY:
Operations are now banned. As long as you are an employee here, you need all your organs. You should not consider removing anything. We hired you intact. To have something removed constitutes a breach of employment.
PERSONAL DAYS:
Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturday and Sunday.
YOUR OWN DEATH:
This will be accepted as an excuse. However, we require at least two weeks notice, as it is your duty to train your own replacement.
LUNCH BREAK:
Skinny people get an hour for lunch as they need to eat more so that they can look healthy, normal size people get 30 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain the average figure. Fat people get 5 minutes for lunch because that's all the time needed to drink a Slim Fast and take a diet pill. Sondra gets none.
DRESS CODE:
It is advised that you come to work dressed according to your salary, if we see you wearing $350 Prada sneakers and carrying a $600 Gucci bag we assume you are doing well financially and therefore you do not need a raise.
Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternations or input should be directed elsewhere. Have a nice week.
-- Management
We will no longer accept a doctor statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.
SURGERY:
Operations are now banned. As long as you are an employee here, you need all your organs. You should not consider removing anything. We hired you intact. To have something removed constitutes a breach of employment.
PERSONAL DAYS:
Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturday and Sunday.
YOUR OWN DEATH:
This will be accepted as an excuse. However, we require at least two weeks notice, as it is your duty to train your own replacement.
LUNCH BREAK:
Skinny people get an hour for lunch as they need to eat more so that they can look healthy, normal size people get 30 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain the average figure. Fat people get 5 minutes for lunch because that's all the time needed to drink a Slim Fast and take a diet pill. Sondra gets none.
DRESS CODE:
It is advised that you come to work dressed according to your salary, if we see you wearing $350 Prada sneakers and carrying a $600 Gucci bag we assume you are doing well financially and therefore you do not need a raise.
Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternations or input should be directed elsewhere. Have a nice week.
-- Management
Musicians make instant sales from concerts
If you're a performer at a live concert, how do you keep the music alive after your performance ends? The Age newspaper reports that some musicians are selling the show to their audience - as they leave the venue!
This is the next step up from selling T-shirts, pre-recorded CDs and other souvenirs. This way, the audience gets to re-live that experience over and over again. It's a unique performance, and only the people there get it.
This is the next step up from selling T-shirts, pre-recorded CDs and other souvenirs. This way, the audience gets to re-live that experience over and over again. It's a unique performance, and only the people there get it.
If you've been out of touch, explain ...
An e-mail newsletter is one of the most effective ways of maintaining a relationship with your network. But it's easy to fall out of the habit of writing a regular newsletter. If this happens to you, get back into the regular habit as soon as possible! Failing that, tell your loyal readers what's going on. Whatever you do, don't just ignore them.
When this happened to Karen Barnett at Montville Coffee, she took the very smart step of sending a brief apology with her next newsletter:
When this happened to Karen Barnett at Montville Coffee, she took the very smart step of sending a brief apology with her next newsletter:
When we updated our website it came with a great function... regular newsletters. I managed to keep it up for a while but now it is just not possible for me to keep up with. So, I do apologize for promising regular newsletters for baristas, which I have not been delivering. I have now changed the format so that you can read a series of articles from this email. I have also added more articles onto our website that you can access any time.
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