For McMurry's fabulous free publication ContentWise, I'm writing article on change communication don'ts—they outnumber the do's, do they not?—and I'm gathering a list of change-communication cliches to avoid.
Here's what I've got so far.
• "Change is the only constant."
• "change (ˈchānj): to make different in some particular … b: to make radically different … c: to give a different position, course, or direction to …."
• “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
What is my cliché-numbed mind forgetting? Help!
“Great companies don’t wait to react to change, they make it happen on their own.”
“Great companies don’t wait to react to change, they make it happen on their own.”
Oh, that’s gross; you see that a lot?
Conversely, I found a quote that I bet has NEVER appeared in an organizational publication:
“All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward. ~Ellen Glasgow”
Ellen must have worked for Chrysler at one time.
“Change presents us with challenges and opportunities” – or any other tiresome line that tries to spin challenges as opportunities. The truth is, as the Ellen Glasgow line suggests, sometimes change just sucks.
I agree, Rueben . . . and was disappointed to see the old “Challenges and Opportunties” headline on Obama’s change.org site.
Obviously, the same person writing his magnificent speeches isn’t writing his web copy.
Steve C.
I agree, Rueben . . . and was disappointed to see the old “Challenges and Opportunties” headline on Obama’s change.org site.
Obviously, the same person writing his magnificent speeches isn’t writing his web copy.
Steve C.
My favorite cliche is “Change change change…change you fools!” Who knew Aretha knew so much about change communication. Direct and to the point.
And then of course there’s Jim Morrison’s “Changeling”:
I’ve had money,
And I’ve had none.
I’ve had money,
And I’ve had none.
But I’ve never been so broke
That I couldn’t leave town.
McMurry has some fabulous change cliches in their “About Us” section emphasizing “Create Change” as a value.
I signed up for the newsletter, your enthusiasm for it would indicate that they write much better copy for the newsletter than their website.
Thanks, Yossi. Your good faith will be rewarded.
How about this? http://despair.com/changewinds.html
“Now *that’s* change we can believe in!”
All persons saying or writing this will be shot.
All Republicans saying or writing this will be hanged first, then shot.