"Be impeccable with your word."

Behind this succinct sentence is much meaning. To be impeccable you must think before you speak (or write), speak clearly, be genuine and, as much as possible, be positive. Basically "Say what you mean and mean what you say". My late Grandfather taught me that invaluable lesson. Words are powerful messages and messages create powerful communications. Today powerful communications exist in various sources, traditional and new, which offer strategies to deal with personal and professional life.

It is important to be impeccable with your word in business. Some may consider that comment redundant given what I have already said however, in business communications such as media, messages are often convoluted, modified, stretched, enhanced and embellished in order to better target an audience. I would argue that many of these messages are not using words impeccably.

As a seasoned event and communications professional, I have often used the analogy that events are simply "communications with walls". A message is the essence of any event and the way in which you communicate that message, through your event to your audience, will determine your success (with proper measurement of course!).

Specific messages will differ depending on your audience and the type of event. These messages will evolve directly from your clearly established objectives. For example, if your event is a sales rally, your message may be primarily motivational; if your event is for customers, your message may be one of reliability, accountability or partnership; if your event is for employees, your message may be primarily motivational yet informative. As mentioned before, the success of your communicated message needs to be measured in qualitative and/or quantitative ways including survey, post-sales measurement and/or employee value index measurements. If the impact of your message is not measurable, your efforts are in vain.

I urge all of you when planning your next event to consider it as one big communication and task you further to be impeccable with your word or message when communicating. Events with this level of communication commitment will undoubtedly achieve greatness!

And don't forget: Measure, measure, measure and then COMMUNICATE your measurement and success accordingly!
Interested in receiving Michelle's monthly blog straight to your inbox? CLICK HERE

About the Author
Michelle Coetzee is the owner and partner of Real Communications - a boutique event and communications agency (www.realcommunications.ca) and co-creator of Real Event Tools (www.realeventtools.com) - expert, downloadable event planning templates for all aspects of the event planning process.