Connecting The Dots of Healthcare

I have two children in college and by now am a seasoned college-tour visitor.  And I thought I’d heard it all. But I was wrong. While the crowd of prospective students and families were busily chatting about the new iphone, ron paul, youtube, shakira, paul potts, facebook, and myspace, (all the kinds of things that are IMPORTANT when searching for a college for the pursuit of higher EDUCATION), a mother asked a question about campus safety for her daughter.

 ”Oh we’re very safe here,” the cute perky rising senior tour-guide chirped. She continued, “and if there was a problem, we have security phones at the lighted blue poles throughout the campus.” So far, so good… but she continued… “or all you have to do is blow your RAPE WHISTLE.”

 RAPE WHISTLE?????

She then cheerily went on to explain how all freshmen women are given a “rape whistle” at orientation and if a student blows the whistle, (literally), as a prank, there’s the matter of a $200 fine. The crowd hushed. Paris Hilton discussions abruptly ceased. I coudn’t resist…

“Do they really call it a ‘RAPE WHISTLE?”I asked.

 ”Yes! ” perky coed chirped.

“How often is there a rape on campus?” I continued. “Oh,” she replied, “we’ve never had a rape on campus I’ve known of.” Hmmmm…. not one to avoid a steaming pile of BS, I jumped into the middle of the heap…. “Then are you treating a non-problem?,” I countered. “Well,” she intoned…. “it’s just in case!… any OTHER questions?” she quipped before striking off to the library.

Inviting OTHER questions, I unleashed the barrage…. “Have you considered giving EVERYONE a whistle… not just the girls?” “Have you ever thought to call it an “EMERGENCY WHISTLE” rather than “RAPE WHISTLE” since there are no rapes?” “Do you use the RAPE WHISTLE to prevent, invite, or announce a rape?” (She actually wasn’t too clear about this when she initially chimed in the “rape whistle” topic.) “Are you supposed to carry this rape whistle with you all the time you’re on campus?” (Indeed she was.) “Where is YOUR rape whistle?” (Oooops, forgot to pack the RW this morning!) “Can you only use it for anything else other than a rape?” (Yes, you could.) “If you were using it for, say…. someone was run over by the tour-guide golf cart… is there a list posted for acceptable non-rape uses of the RAPE WHISTLE or do you simply find out when you get the $200 fine?” (She didn’t know of an official listing of acceptable non-rape events allowing RW usage.) “Does it have, “RAPE WHISTLE,” printed on the actual whistle?” (No, it has the college name.) 

I didn’t ask the real question I wanted to ask… because at this point it didn’t matter. Moms and dads had already heard all about the “rape whistle”… but I wondered about the college administrators who have students take visitors (read: PROSPECTIVE BUYERS) around the campus. Did they know the RAPE WHISTLE was a topic of conversation? If they did… would they realize the devastating effect on admission applications, (read: SALES), this RAPE WHISTLE commentary caused in our little group? A RAPE WHISTLE indeed!!!!!!   And this is a center of HIGHER EDUCATION??? A place that issues RAPE WHISTLES for rapes that don’t occur?

How often do we let employees, or representatives of our businesses spoil sales opportunities because of ignorance or lack of understanding of how to sell? How often do we try to solve a problem by issuing employees a “whistle” instead of addressing the root problem. How often do we either work to treat a non-problem, or minimize a very real problem by trivializing a “solution.” How often does a lack of formalized training in communication and sales skills to corporate representatives blow a sale? How often does inadvertent labeling create a branding nightmare? How often do we create a focus on something that detracts from what we really want to be seen?

 Words are powerful. They can convince, coerce, encourage, invite, command, entertain, educate, and frighten. Words should be well chosen and well timed. Use words well.