Destination...Communication

As a marketing and communications professional, communicating to and for my clients is my main objective. And, in today’s world of communication overload it is more important than ever to understand how and why we COMMUNICATE.


The verb communicate’s origin is [1520-30] Latin for commūnicātus, to impart, make common. Whether that is: 1. To convey information about; make known; impart. 2. To reveal clearly; manifest. 3. To spread to others; transmit. 4. To have an interchange, as of ideas. 5. To express oneself in such a way that one is readily and clearly understood. 6. To be connected, one with another: *

We communicate first and foremost to be understood. Secondly this communication enables us to be connected with others. No matter how we convey or impart information it is essential to be clear. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Think before you speak,” which is good advice when communicating orally. Conversely, taking the time to thoroughly review your written communications whether it is an email, hand written note, proposal, contract, tweet or post will make all the difference in how it is received.

This review obviously includes checking your spelling and sentence structure but more importantly should include re-reading the information to be sure someone who knows nothing about the subject could discern the gist of what you’ve written. So when communications can be as short as 140 characters and can be read by thousands of people every word counts. This is not to say communications should always be short because explaining or describing things may need more words to be understood.

Plus if that were the case…I’d have been cut off 1,541 characters ago!
*Definition and origin from www.dictionary.com The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

First Thing's First!

You will experience a number of firsts in your life. The first step, first kiss, first car, first job, first home. So for the In Other Words... first blog post I thought we'd start with just that - the word FIRST. It being a new year and a new decade many of us will surely do things for the first time. But what does first really mean?
Looking at the word FIRST as a noun already brings up numerous meanings: 1. The one before the second; 2. Any person, thing, class, place, etc. that is physically first; 3.The first day of a week, month, or year; 4. The beginning or start; 5. A first happening or thing of its kind; 6.The best quality of merchandise or service; 7. The winning place in a race or competition.*

When you identify your company, yourself or something you do as the FIRST, the best thing you can do is back it up. What I mean is...if you are doing something for the first time (like this blog) be sure there is a second, third, fourth, etc. If it is "your first and only" isn't as significant unless it is your first and only marriage or first and only child. What comes after the first is what makes the first so important. Make sense?

Being the best and top of your game personally and professionally is another terrific way to use the word - first. Only, to be first takes a lot of hard work and determination. Again, it is typically what comes after being named "the first" or the best is usually made even more vital by what comes next. The amount of effort to stay first can take more than it took to become first. But the benefits can be limitless!

So...do you have it in you to be first or do something for the first time?

Well...there's always a first!

*Definitions of  the word first were modified based on the defiinitions listed on www.yourdictionary.com.