Keep It Simple
The K.I.S.S. philosophy still reigns king when developing messaging.
I just finished cleaning out some of our files and ran across an ad that was placed in the Wall Street Journal some time ago. I think we all need to be reminded that the K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Stupid) Philosophy needs dusting off now and again. Here’s the copy from the ad.
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Keep It Simple
Strike three.
Get your hand off my knee.
You’re overdrawn.
Your horse won.
Yes. No.
You have the account.
Walk.
Don’t walk.
Mom’s dead.
Basic events require simple language.
Idiosyncratically euphemistic eccentricities are the promulgators of triturable obfuscation.
What did you do last night? Enter into a meaningful romantic involvement, or fall in love?
What did you have for breakfast this morning? The upper part of a hog’s hind leg with two oval bodies encased in a shell laid by a female bird, or ham and eggs?
David Belasco, the great American theatrical producer, once said: “If you can’t write your idea on the back of my calling card, you don’t have a clear idea.”
Where in the World is Anthony?
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Gave opening keynote this afternoon at an insurance conference in San Diego. Presenting tip 92: Don't staple your notes. It draws attention to them, especially when you turn the page. Instead, fan the pages and smoothly slide and discard.
Worked all day today with a St. Louis-based contractor. Negotiation tip 33: Don't mirror your opponent's demeanor, especially if the tone and questions are negative.
Spent the day working with Michigan law enforcement leadership. Crisis communications tip 7: Quickly address misinformation and rumors in the early hours of a crisis, or risk losing control of the narrative.
Back to work! Spoke last week in Orlando. This week I'm in Ohio, Michigan and Missouri. Meeting/conference tip 15: More Variety = More Energy. Mix things up to keep your audience constantly engaged.
Just wrapped my last job of the year, working with an Ohio-based insurance company. Huge thanks to all my clients who made this year truly one for the books—and more than just a nod to my travel partners, @Delta, @Marriott, @Avis, and @Uber for getting me where I needed to go.