Table of Contents
What the papers say
What a great book. I would have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone.
This book is a must-read for anybody in a client/customer-facing position. I think anyone who talks to other people could benefit from reading it.
MARKETINGMagazine
If your DNAs short on charisma, heres a guide to charm heaven. Learn how to captivate your listeners and speak so people understand you better. An easy read with perky drawings and bullet point summaries.
HER WORLDMagazine
McFarlans method for revolutionising communication is as relevant to how we relate to family and friends as it is to how to get the best from a workforce.
THE HERALD
Even if you normally steer clear of self-help books, do try the very funny and perceptive Drop the Pink Elephant by Scottish television presenter Bill McFarlan.
CALEDONIA
It is very rare that anything that is good for you is also fun This book, however, is enormously pleasurable to read and the words of wisdom sink in without a murmur.
CITY TO CITIES
it goes on to tackle every aspect of personal communication in a crisp, entertaining style. Plain English supporters will be particularly interested in chapters dealing with jargon (especially unfamiliar abbreviations) and grammar.
PLAIN ENGLISHMagazine
This is a fascinating must-read.
GLASGOW EVENING TIMES
Dedication
This book is dedicated to:
My dad and late mum, whose love and security taught me realistic optimism.
My wife Caroline, whose loving encouragement has guided me through triumph and setback alike for four decades.
My children Victoria, Emma and Andrew, whose tolerance of my Pink Elephant obsession is a credit to each of them.
May they and everyone who reads this benefit from sharing that obsession.
And to Johanna MacVicar, whose courage and optimism in the face of illness and adversity extended her short life, gave new hope to others and gave new life to two dozen strangers. Literally.
And special thanks to Caroline and Victoria for their incisive proof-reading of this book to ensure it follows my principles on punctuation, grammar and clarity.
Thanks also to John Moseley and the entire Wiley-Capstone team for their belief in this book and the opportunity they have created to share my principles with the world.
About the Author
Bill McFarlan is a journalist, broadcaster and Executive Chairman of Pink Elephant Communications one of Europes leading communications training companies.
He established The Broadcasting Business in 1989 and celebrated 25 years of helping individuals and businesses build great presentations and conduct positive media interviews by creating Pink Elephant Communications with his son Andrew in 2014.
Over 28 years, hes led several thousand courses and seminars in Britain, across Europe, In the USA, Canada, Caribbean, Australia and Africa.
Hes a regular speaker at conferences and passionate advocate of confidence-building techniques.
Bills journalism career began in local newspapers in the late 70smoving through three years as a radio presenter then 22 as a TV presenter.
He anchored Reporting Scotland, Breakfast News, Sportscene and Worlds Strongest Man in 10 years with the BBC.
Outside training and broadcasting, hes an Executive National Vice President with Arbonne International, owning a successful worldwide skincare and nutrition business with his wife Caroline, whom he married in 1981.
They have three grown-up children and four grandchildren all of who live near them in Glasgow, Scotland.
To enquire about how the techniques in this book can be delivered to you or your organisation, contact Pink Elephant Communications on 0141 427 2545 or at www.pinkelephantcomms.com.
Worlds Top Ten Pink Elephants
Simply remove the word in bold letters to reveal the picture each phrase creates.
I didnothave sexual relations with that woman, Ms Lewinsky.
US President Bill Clinton in January 1998 on his relationship with the White House intern. Ten months later he apologized for misleading the American people with what he said
I didnotrape Ulrika. I wouldneverrape anyone. Well-known UK TV presenter, whose denials were quickly followed by further allegations from numerous women
There can benowhitewash at the White House. US President Richard Nixon, who relinquished the presidency because of a whitewash at the White House
Telling my story wasneverabout money. Paul Burrell, former butler to Princess Diana, who sold his story to the Daily Mirror for a reported 300,000
This isnota war on Islam. Tony Blair on the War on Terrorism
I must state once and for all that I amnot(Prince) Harrys father.
James Hewitt on that growing resemblance between Princess Dianas younger son and her former lover
Imnotthick. Imnota bimbo. And Imnota tart. Big Brother 2001 runner-up Helen Adams on herself. The audience drew its own conclusions
Idontdo drugs. Idontdrink and drive and Idonthave five kids to three different women.
Former Scotland captain Colin Hendry, accused only of elbowing an opponent
Read my lips.Nonew taxes. US President George Bush before he increased taxes
It didnothappen. Gennifer Flowers story isnottrue. Bill Clinton again, who later admitted under oath that he did in fact have sex with Ms Flowers
Foreword
Ive worked in TV almost all my working life and first met Bill when he joined the Breakfast News presentation team in 1991. It was clear back then that he analysed every word, every tone and every twitch of his own performance and that of his interviewees and colleagues.
I saw why when I joined him in presenting some communication skills courses. The insight he offered into what each participant said and what they meant was tremendous. And after adopting his rules, each person showed a remarkable improvement in their ability to get their message across. Drop the Pink Elephant captures those rules and puts them in a bottle for anybody wanting to make more impact in their lives by really connecting with other people. Its essential reading for everybody interested in creating a deeper understanding with their colleagues, clients, family and friends.
Eamonn Holmes, GMTV Presenter
Introduction
We agonize over the words to choose in an important letter. Devising a report can give us writers block. Even writing a postcard can concentrate our mind on choosing our words carefully.
