Give Your Project Communications a Big KISS

Following 20 years at a large Canadian telecommunications firm, Bruce established the project management consulting firm Solutions Management Inc (SMI). Since 1999, he has provided contract project/program management services, been a source for project management support personnel and created/delivered courses to over 7,000 participants in Canada, the United States and England.

  Communications Management  

February is said to be the month for lovers, as we celebrate the people we love on Valentine’s Day. We may (or may not) exchange gifts, buy flowers or enjoy an intimate dinner with the most important person in our lives. The day has become a cultural and commercial celebration of love throughout the world.

Yet when we are young, love can be complicated. There are so many emotions to manage—and seemingly endless pressure to meet the standards pushed on us through advertising and social media “friends.” While managing possibly unrealistic expectations, young lovers may look to parents or grandparents for advice—as it seems they have found a way to express their love, but without a lot of fuss. I remember asking my dad about his approach, and he said, “Keep it simple, son. Just give her a KISS.”

Well, okay…I made that last part up, but the KISS theory applies in many aspects of life other than in the world of love—and it arguably works best in the world of communications.

KISS, for readers who aren’t aware, is an acronym for Keep it Simple, Silly (sometimes the word “silly” is substituted for other “s” words that are a little more assertive). Ultimately, the intent of KISS is to take an issue and approach it practically and pragmatically. The goal is to avoid unnecessary details that make…

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