Tears of Conversion

I've been eating a raw onion daily for the past year, and I'm thrilled to report that it's had a profound impact on my weight – I've lost a whopping 50 pounds!

I know what you're thinking, "How is this possible?"

Well, it's all about the science.

As it turns out, onions are a natural appetite suppressant, and eating them raw helps to stimulate your digestive system, reducing cravings and increasing feelings of fullness.

It's like a magic weight-loss drug, but instead of a pill or an injection, it's a delicious, crunchy vegetable!

And the best part? It's completely effortless – just grab an onion and start chomping!

Of course, some people might be skeptical about the benefits of eating raw onions, but it's the real deal. I've seen the results for myself, and I'm not alone.

There are countless stories of people who have achieved similar success with this method.

So, if you're struggling with your weight, don't be afraid to try it.

I'm not a big raw onion eater. This is just a bit of satire.

And if I do - well, this may sound a bit Jerry Seinfeld-like, I rinse them first.

After chopping your onions, put them in a strainer and rinse them under cold water.

It will totally change your approach to eating raw onions, but it won't cause you to lose weight. That's not satire.

But let's peel away at how to use this in storytelling.

FINGER LCKING GOOD

I am a big fan of fried chicken.

This is my total "cheat" food when no one is watching, and I get to sneak away and enjoy a crispy indulgence.

That happened this week during the Texas Association of Health Plans convention.

After talking about health insurance for several hours, I snuck out on election night for a two-mile walk that ended at Gus's World Famous Hot Chicken on San Jacinto Street in Austin.

In the United States, home-town fried chicken outlets have emerged as one of the best examples of local fast food.

However, chains like Kentucky Fried Chicken are still the mainstay in the UK and Asia.

That brings me to a story from 2018 when chicken shortages began to devastate the supply of fried chicken for much of London, Scotland, and Ireland.

This led to store closures, media backlash, and general public anger about the Brits being denied their fried chicken.

There were many logistical issues related to the supply chain. Still, instead of pushing the blame, they devised a clever play on their brand name—'FCK'—that created self-deprecating humor and started a conversational apology.

"The chicken crossed the road, just not to our restaurant."

The message created international humor and a connection with their audience. It boosted their pre-crisis brand perception by over 7%, and the campaign reached over a billion people in just three months.

They even won an award in Cannes.

THE ART OF SELF-DEPRECIATION

Building a communication channel with users doesn't require an extensive ad campaign.

It's just the opposite.

Often, using elements of satire - even if they aren't "Onion-worthy" - can create an immediate and fluid connection with your audience.

This leans heavily on the concept that humans naturally create barriers to communication exchange.

We are nervous creatures at heart.

Even if you might be considered an extrovert, there is no guarantee that the person you talk with is as comfortable in a given situation.

So, walls are built to prevent the easy exchange of words, which results in slower comprehension time.

This is especially true in business communication, where almost every Zoom meeting begins with "introductions" that put people on the spot, force them to summarize their résumé, and either open the door for those who like to advertise their expertise or close the door on those who are embarrassed to share.

Remember: the goal is to exchange information, not send information. You have to nurture receptivity in your audience.

One of the easiest tricks to help this along - to put people at ease - is introducing self-deprecating satire.

Let's explore some easy ways to put this to work.

STAGECRAFT

Use satire to break the expectations in communication.

Talking to a Group

Don't start with the usual intro when you walk to the podium to give a speech.

Surprise the audience with some minor self-depreciation.

"I'm so excited to be here. I only tripped twice on my way up!"

Starting a Zoom Call

Pay attention to the backgrounds, not the people.

Engage someone in a quick discussion about the art on their background wall or other items used today to spruce up their Zoom backgrounds.

"Let's see who wins today's 'Best Virtual Background Award'"

Email Subject Lines

I'm not talking about using ideas from spam emails but do this more personally when trying to get someone to engage with your note.

"Alert: Your cart is having separation anxiety."

Finalist Meetings

Often, the easiest satire is to speak the obvious.

I once had the opportunity to help a group notorious for bringing an army of people to even the most minor finalist meeting.

"Welcome to our Army!"

Everyone sees this disparity in numbers, so call it out and make fun of yourself.

Don't worry. You will not demean yourself to the audience.

Instead, it will be enduring and open a communication channel.

Try using satire in your communications and see what happens to the quality of your messaging!