This is Part 4 of a seven-part series on making speeches and presentations memorable.  It is based on the book “Made to Stick” by Chip and Dan Heath.

Today I want to talk to you about planned initiatives to streamline functionalities in inter-departmental communications, thereby capitalizing on synergies and maximizing shareholder value.

Wait a minute.  Stop.  Rewind.  Play. … What?!?!?

Have you ever listened to people who talked this way?  Did you understand their message?  If so, more power to you, because it is incomprehensible babble to me.  The words are so amorphous, so vague, that listening to them is akin to trying to grab a cloud.