The last time I saw this blatant error was on a sewing show. I love to sew and am addicted to the Saturday morning quilting and sewing shows on PBS. The show in question was focused on a project combining quilting and embroidery. It used the following saying (with their spelling): “In the crazy quilt of life, I’m glad your in my block.” The mistake stuck out like a sore thumb to me, but apparently the show hostess and guest both missed it. This was not only printed, but machine embroidered on a detailed project - on silk, no less. I winced.

This isn’t that hard, folks! “Your” is a possessive. Your stuff. Your project. Your whatever. “You’re” is a contraction of “you are”. Very simple, right? It amazes me how often these two very different words are mistakenly interchanged. Perhaps it’s because spell checkers don’t catch this.

The Word Cop sympathizes with the challenge of correct word usage and spelling in a rich and complex language such as English. But she also deplores the sloppiness that allows so many errors, and in business documents! Lots of us do spot these errors, and what kind of impression are we likely to have of your business?

Business owners, take heed!

The basic premise is that Gen-Y’ers are so caught up in social networking, all of which is written, that they haven’t picked up on the non-verbal cues that are basic to courtesy when meeting face-to-face. The author, Prof. Mark Bauerlein, states the following:

“We live in a culture where young people - outfitted with iPhone and laptop and devoting hours every evening from age 10 onward to messaging of one kind and another - are ever less likely to develop the “silent fluency” that comes from face-to-face interaction. It is a skill that we all must learn, in actual social setting, from people (often older) who are adept in the idiom.”

Tied into this is the split attention inherent in constant multi-tasking. Ever attended a meeting during which attendees appear to devote more attention to their “Crackberries” than to the speaker? They may think they are being more efficient. What they are actually being is rude.

Time to reincarnate Miss Manners? Perhaps, although strict adherence to old-fashioned etiquette rules can be extreme. It might be better to use our opportunities, when observing such behavior, for teachable moments. When we do so, we should strive to be courteous and diplomatic ourselves, not judgmental or high-handed. Lead by example.

Take a moment to read the comments as well as the article. It was interesting to note that the stronger notes from authors disagreeing with Prof. Bauerlein, tended to come from some of those Gen-Y’ers. They have some viable points and we should all listen to the input.

My bottom line is this. Excellent communication skills - written, verbal, and nonverbal - are critical for success in our world. Add courtesy to the mix and you have something truly effective. We can all agree on that.

Examples: Blatherskite. Pedantic. Lugubrious.

What’s not to love?

I also love to hear new definitions of words or word origins, usually spun for laughs rather than true facts. Take the word “politics”. I recently heard someone (maybe Dennis Miller? Not sure. My apologies for the shaky attribution!) break this down into “poli” meaning “many” and “tics”, meaning blood sucking nits. I roared.

Political commentary is rife with new words, distorted words and obscure words used by the more erudite speakers. I recently heard a political speech by someone in high political office described as “abstract, vapid, and self-absorbed”. Isn’t that wonderful? When did you last hear the word “vapid” in conversation? (I will leave this reference nameless, in the interest of avoiding offense. Some people are so sensitive and my interest is in the words, not the politics. My apologies to the brilliant commentator!)

Heard any interesting ones yourself lately? Please share them! The Word Cop looks forward to hearing from you.

I finished college in 1975 and took my two degrees into an abysmal job market. I found something, but struggled for several years before finding a good job, one that I stayed with for 15+ years. During the early years of my career, I did what all young professionals do. I tried to succeed at my job, build up some savings, find a life partner, and establish myself personally and professionally.

However, it was a tough time to do this. Inflation ate up every salary increase and limited my savings. I wanted to buy my first house, but the market stayed one step ahead of me in spite of my efforts as housing prices and mortgage rates soared. It took me until the 1980’s to make the leap into the housing market. I managed to obtain a mortgage at the eye-popping rate of 13.5%, and for the time this was a good deal! The resulting PITI house payment took more than half my monthly income.

For some time now, as I have observed our current economic crisis, I see a 1970s redux in the near future. And it isn’t pretty! There is an excellent opinion piece in today’s Wall Street Journal written by Arthur Laffer of “Laffer Curve” fame. He is also one of the authors of the recent book, “The End of Prosperity”. I have read part of it. It is excellent and scary.

I urge my readers to take a look at Mr. Laffer’s article. Press here to read it.

I look forward to hearing your comments!

The main point of the article, of great interest to me as a business consultant, is that the move can be done, but requires many adjustments and some careful planning. Among other considerations, it is critical to check zoning laws in your neighborhood regarding any restrictions on operating a home-based business. One company mentioned in the article, a dancewear business, was really screwed by the local zoning board. Zoning laws vary widely, so don’t assume. Check it out.

Beyond zoning considerations, moving a business home changes the marketing dynamics. You can’t put a “sale” sign in the window any more to generate additional traffic. Marketing and advertising on the web is “doable”, but certainly different from advertising a brick and mortar store. Another area demanding careful thought and preparation.

Bottom line is that there is more to moving your business home than saving the monthly lease money. Like most business changes, some preparation in advance will help ensure that the move goes smoothly and that your business survives.

Interested in reading the article? Press here.

Considering the move home for your business? Already completed the move? Please share your thoughts and experiences!

I confess. I am an HGTV junkie. Since I would love to buy a new house myself, I revel vicariously in House Hunters, even House Hunters International, although I would never consider leaving my country to live elsewhere. HGTV has a wide variety of professionals gracing its programs. Designers, builders, contractors, subcontractors, agents and brokers all cross the HGTV stage to our TV screens. These people, and the announcers who promote them, are supposed to be professionals. Yet, the recent promo for some sort of competition begins dramatically with these words: “Twelve relators….”

Huh? What the heck is a relator? I haven’t a clue, but I think the HGTV pros should.

Of course I am kidding about not having a clue. I know very well what a “relator” is. It is the VERY common, and VERY annoying mispronunciation of “Realtor”, the title given to real estate professionals who belong to the National Association of Realtors. I used to be one, so I can attest to the fact that at least 90% of people mispronounce this title, including many who hold it!

This grates on my nerves. What is so difficult about this word? It begins with “real”, just like “real estate”. Duh. It isn’t “rela” estate, is it?

Try it. Practice. “Real - tor”. There, that wasn’t so hard, was it?

The process of change has certainly accelerated lately. The development of new expressions, new combinations of old words, pregnant with new meaning continues apace. (Now there’s a word I don’t get to use every day! According to the American Heritage Dictionary, apace means “at a rapid pace; swiftly” or “In such a way or at such a speed as to keep up the requisite momentum; abreast.”)

I was struck by one new combination of words I heard from a commentator on a national news network. Commenting on the 90% tax rate legislation pending to address the perceived bonus abuses at AIG, the man referred to “vigilante taxation”. I wrote it down immediately so I wouldn’t forget it. I wish I had also written down the man’s name and I apologize for quoting him without attribution.

I love the expression! Very creative. I am not so sure I love what it says about us and our government right now.

Howard Beale was the character in the 1976 movie “Network” who encouraged people to “get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - ‘I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!’ Things have got to change. But first, you’ve gotta get mad!. You’ve got to say, ‘I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!’ Then we’ll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say it: I’M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!”

I am struck by the parallels here, both the economic conditions of the time (I was there. The economy at the time was worse than now.) and the helpless outrage of the people. We need to be angry now. There are very good reasons for our current outrage. My concern is that we direct it at the proper targets. Although many want to aim at the AIG execs themselves and castigate them as greedy SOBs, beware the mob mentality that sends death threats to their family members. As Americans, we can and must be better than that.

Instead, let’s channel our anger into positive action. First, understand the causes and players here. Learn the facts. Then, consider actions that are more likely to make a difference. As business people, there are some real dangers looming as well as some real lessons to learn. Here are points I am focused on at the moment and I offer them for your consideration.

• The bonuses were huge and completely inappropriate, but they were contractual and legal.
• Key members of Congress and the administration were fully aware of the bonuses ahead of time. In fact, language they deliberately placed in recent legislation allowed the dollars to flow.
• The move in Congress to tax them at 90% is most likely NOT legal, or constitutional. (And this from our supposed lawmakers! Have they read the Constitution? I have. Haven’t you?) It is also a dangerous precedent that business people need to watch very carefully.
• Not all corporate execs are greedy bad guys. In fact, most are not. As a business owner, I am a business exec, and I assure you that I place ethics and integrity at the top of my corporate principles. Corporations are not evil entities, but people like you and me, making a product or offering a service as a fair exchange for a customer’s dollars.
• Actions have consequences, some of them unintended but still very real. Congress needs to study this principle, especially now that our Treasury Secretary is proposing a public/private partnership to address the toxic asset problem strangling our banks and lenders. Will private companies and their executives (some greedy, most not – don’t forget that!) feel comfortable participating if they fear punitive taxation, especially when it comes after the fact, essentially altering the rules of a game in progress?

I think our government should abandon their punitive mentality and go after these guys with simple, old-fashioned shame. Take the higher, principled road and use the bully pulpit to encourage greater integrity. For example, try returning all those campaign dollars they received from AIG. Perhaps then Congressional actions will be viewed as examples of the best in America, rather than political pandering.

Finally, remember that the profit motive is really a positive thing. It only becomes greed when it goes too far. A healthy profit motive, the hope of reasonable reward for effort, is what encourages Americans to innovate, build, become entrepreneurs, and ultimately drive our capitalist economy. It will not help our economy recover if our government keeps punishing success!

The ad was for Guaranteed Tax Relief. First off, let me state categorically that my comments here are not intended to insult or otherwise disparage this company. I know nothing about them. They may very well have a heck of a fine service. I will leave potential customers on their own to make that judgment.

My only issue here is with their grammar. Their URL, that primary tool of branding and communicating on the internet, is www.lesstaxes.com. AAARRRRGGGHHH, to quote Charlie Brown. You can pay “less tax” or “fewer taxes”, never “less taxes”. Got it? It’s a simple concept. “Less” goes with a single item and “fewer” goes with a multiple of something. So, for example, to prevent cavities, eat less candy or fewer candies.

Now, I realize that the owners and employees of a company like Guaranteed Tax Relief are financial professionals, not grammarians, so I would like to cut them some slack. However, if you are going to spend money advertising and branding, wouldn’t you like to create an impression of professionalism? Poor grammar won’t help with that.

This company is stuck with a URL that declares to all and sundry on the web, and watching television since it was on their ad, that they have an English problem. Their own knowledge of proper English is lacking, they are too cheap to hire skilled editorial help, or they simply don’t care.

It is my fervent hope that this is just a simple oversight, soon to be corrected. As promised, slack from the Word Cop!

One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of communicating regularly with employees. They need to be kept in the loop and informed of a company’s goals so they can be active participants. Nothing is more demeaning to workers than to feel as if they are nameless cogs in a corporate machine that has little or no meaning to them. When fully informed, they are far more likely to buy into your mission and help you achieve it.

In addition to understanding what they are working towards, employees need feedback. They need to know when they are doing well, and also when they are not. That’s the tough job for most of us - how to look an employee in the eye and say that his/her performance is not up to par. I always got over my natural hesitation and dislike of confrontation by reminding myself that not giving an employee this information and allowing a chance to fix a performance issue was to do him/her a very serious disservice.

So, take some time to praise and also to correct. Remember to praise in public, but discipline in private. Don’t overdo the praise, or you will erode its value. Don’t avoid the criticism when it is warranted. There needs to be responsibility and accountability from employees.