Go “Old School” to Make Your Business Stand Out

Go “Old School” to Make Your Business Stand Out

Forgive me if this sounds like a rant or if I seem like a prude or snob, I’m not. But, am I too “old school” to think that in business communications, decorum is still in order?

Here are a few examples of things I encountered this month:

• At a meeting of people responsible for shaping images of regionally and nationally important firms: a keynote speaker using not one, but three, crude words including “bullsh**” and “sucks” during the presentation.
•  A professional, not technical mind you, meeting of important business issues:  people wearing t-shirts, jeans, and sneakers. (If this was a group of people who were just starting out, or people in social or public service, or even the “creative class”, you could argue that it is wrong to judge their lack of business attire. But, this was a group of influencers from renowned enterprises who, I have to assume, are decently compensated.)
•  On social media (but from professional business pages): Debates about sexiness, tweets using crude words, and a business “thought leader” bringing attention to a celebrity’s bikini photos. (I follow him for marketing insight to help my business – not gossip.)

I get that the line between our work selves and our social selves is gone. And I get that culturally things are disheartening. (I can’t let my tweens listen to the radio because of the number of times I’ve heard “bit**” and “a**” used by the DJs. And I cringe to let them watch even “family-friendly” channels because of the commercials (the last disturbing one was for the Pussycat Dolls). And, admittedly, I can employ choice words in my personal life at times. But I thought that in business, people would always maintain a respectful demeanor, if for no other reason, than to get their potential clients to respect them, to get the sale.

Have our standards changed so much that we don’t even expect a “polished” presence from professionals anymore?

I hope not, but if that is the case, I urge you to rise above the fray. You’ll genuinely differentiate and call attention to your business—the good, old-fashioned way.