Today’s topic: Suffice it to say…

This is one of my favorites. Every time I hear this one used, I chuckle to myself. Here’s an example of it being used that will probably sound very familiar.

“With increased expenditures for research and development and a sharp downturn in the effectiveness of our marketing team, the liquidity of our organization has been a cause of concern. Due to the strength of the dollar, the tumultuous state of the economy and the unfortunate departure of many of our top-level executives, we will begin the process of regaining a strong hold in our markets.

Suffice it to say, it’s been a tough year.”

Using this phrase is the speaker’s way of admitting that everything he’s said to this point was utterly worthless and what he’s about to say is the only thing actually worth listening to.

I love hearing this phrase because it is usually unscripted, and it shows you just a glimpse of the person beneath the job title. For just a moment, the all-important executive breaks character and lets you in on a real, no frills message.

The best solution for this is very simple: start your message with the “suffice it to say” part, and then go into the details. In journalism, this kind of communicating is called the “inverted pyramid.”

Using the Inverted Pyramid

1. Start with the information they MUST have for your communication to be successful.
2. Give information that is helpful but not crucial.
3. Finish with information that is nice to know, but not as important.

Your meetings will seem much more interesting if they start with a line that sums up everything you have to say. If you try to string people along and give them a big surprise at the end, by the time you get there, most people won’t be listening anymore.

So start with the biggest information. Get your information across before everyone tunes out.