The Meijer Coporation earned a warm spot in my heart when it moved into Indiana, simply because it uses the word “fewer” on its express checkout signs (“20 items or fewer”) instead of the word “less.” Meijer then earned my grammatical anger when I heard the wonderfully talented Jennie DeVoe singing, “There’s a million reasons in a single store.” There is?
As a media professional, I have a vested interest in using the right word for the job. I lead an advanced broadcasting course at Butler University and strive to teach my students that understanding the words they’re using is key to both accuracy and clarity. I’m not a grammatical purist, and I teach them that “conversational grammar” can be correct. But I also teach them that having extra sets of eyes review the project can help eliminate errors that are embarrassing, or worse.
For example, when you apply or interview for a job, you become the product you are trying to sell. Any executive would think twice about hiring someone who couldn’t properly fill out his job application or submit an error-free resume. As a producer and project manager for 25-plus years, I frequently have hired or recommended staff for projects. But when the person under consideration ends sentences with “at” and uses words like “irregardless” (let’s not even discuss subject/verb disagreement), I’m not buying that product.
When I see or hear such errors, I think: sloppy and inattentive equals unreliable and potentially disastrous. Certainly in this day of weak hiring and continued layoffs, basic language skills are a must-have.
What mistakes make you doubt the quality of the work (or the person) behind the message?
Silent Tweeters
Despite high membership, studies show more than 55 percent of Twitter users have never posted a single Tweet. Read more here.
Cancer research grants favor safety over innovation
Does the current system for awarding cancer research grants really encourage innovation? Check out this article and decide for yourself.
The compromise of saving the environment
The House has passed major climate change legislation, but with many concessions to special interests and industry–the largest of which were utilities. Read more here.
Add value to your Tweets
Want to get more followers on Twitter? Try these tips to add value to your Tweets.
On Thursday afternoon of last week the Internet was buzzing with unconfirmed rumors of Michael Jackson’s death.
Perez Hilton, who has successfully built his celebrity blog into a multimillion-dollar international brand, posted the following reaction.
“We knew something like this would happen!!
Michael Jackson was taken by ambulance from his Holmby Hills home to a nearby Los Angeles hospital on Thursday afternoon!!
Supposedly, the singer went into cardiac arrest and the paramedics had to administer CPR!!!
His mother is even on the way to visit him!!!
We are dubious!!
Jacko pulled a similar stunt when he was getting ready for his big HBO special in ‘95 when he ‘collapsed’ at rehearsal!
He was dragging his heels on that just like his upcoming 50 date London residency at the 02 Arena, of which he already postponed the first few dates!!!
Either he’s lying or making himself sick, but we’re curious to see if he’s able to go on!!!
Get your money back, ticket holders!!!!”
Shortly after the reports of Jackson’s death were confirmed, Hilton’s original post was replaced with a more fitting tribute, but enough people saw the original post (and took a screencap picture) that the damage was done.
Almost immediately, other blogs began reporting on Perez’ post and an #unfollowperezhilton movement began on twitter. Celebrities and fans alike bombarded him with messages about his insensitivity. He’s been in crisis communications mode since.
It’s still too early to tell if the Perez Hilton brand will suffer permanent damage from this. But it does carry a lesson for all brand ambassadors. In the drive to be the first, don’t forget that the Internet is permanent. Once you put something online, there’s no taking it back. Are you willing to stake your brand’s reputation on something you post on the Internet?
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