Being simple can be tough at times. If one tries to explain a concept in a simple way, one might think they are simple minded when it could also be the reverse. Harriet Meth is the co-founder of Core Ideas Communications and a full time blogger on Messagedtothedeaft.blogspot.com. Recently, she was asked by a media training client for help with "dumbing down" a intricate idea he wanted to explain in a t.v. interview. Apparently, the reporter and audience were not intelligent enough in the media training clients mind. The client felt it important to say that it must be specifically "dumbed down" a bit. The implication of this is that the client thinks that her audience is stupid which is no way to approach any business decision when it involves potential customers. Insulting one's clientele is an easy way to go out of business and approaching any task with this idea about your clientele gets you going in that direction. A good way of putting it would be to simplify the idea. You can eliminate wordiness and extra fluff by simplifying an idea to it's main core. One can still get their point across by simplifying an idea. "Dumbing down" an idea, or being simplistic, risks insulting the audience and stripping the idea of it's main elements which make it what it is. It can be tough to be simple, but it will pay off in the end. It will also keep respect for your organization if you respect your clientele. - Victor
