Best quote of the month
‘This is a really nervous market. We have our government saying we’re pretty sure there’s going to be another terror attack and we’ve got continuing Enron-type issues. You’ve got to have a sense of trust to buy equities, and a lot of people don’t have that right now.’
– Mike Weiner, managing director of equities at Banc One Investment Advisors, New York Times, June 5
Weiner is quotable because, one, ‘nervous’ is an emotion. Two, he is using the analogy of the market being like a single human being. Three, he is quoting what is being said by other opponents and players in the arena, namely the government. Four, he references hot-button items: ‘terror attack’ and Enron. Five, he adds a layer of emotion: ‘trust’. Six, he is attacking (mildly) the public for not being tough enough to invest now.
Worst quote of the month
‘Sometimes people would ask, Where are my three hours? Then the managers would have to give it to them. But if people waited too long, you didn’t get it. If you snooze, you lose.’
– Dorothy English, assistant in Wal-Mart’s payroll department, New York Times, June 25
While English can’t be faulted for telling the truth about her employers, the quote is certainly damning to Wal-Mart, as they come under increasing scrutiny for failing to pay workers overtime.
English was quotable because, one, she starts with an opposition quote from other people. Two, she uses a rhetorical question. Three, the whole topic is highly emotional. Four, she is bitterly attacking the management tactics of Wal-Mart. Five, she gives specific examples, ‘you didn’t get it.’ Six, she uses cliché – ‘you snooze, you lose.’ Seven, she paints an extremely emotional picture that evokes anger toward management and sympathy for workers.
TJ Walker is a New York city-based media/speech trainer who publishes a free media tips newsletter. [email protected])
