Is It Hype, Or It Fact?

It happens to each of us almost every day. We hear, read, or listen to something, or someone who claims to have some sort of product, service or solution to some sort of situation or obstacle that we need to overcome, or at least get better results in. This may relate to political rhetoric (those often- empty promises politicians make during the campaign season, as well as other times), a new product (which claims to be a must buy because it is so extraordinary), some extraordinary financial figures, or some sports and/ or entertainment. We face the difficulty of determining whether these claims are merely hype or are they fact. When you interview a potential real estate or financial professional, do you consider how much being said is factual, as opposed to merely being hyperbole, empty rhetoric, or hype?

1. Think of the last time you listened to a political campaign debate. How many of those promises resulted in viable results? In fact, how often were the promises even directly related to facts, truths, and realistic plans? Political campaigns and the election results have more often than not been based on who went further in exciting and motivating the electorate, and getting voters to buy into the hype and campaign slogans. On the all too rare occasions that a candidate tell the straight- forward truth rather than the campaign hype, the result has almost invariably been defeat.

2. Think of the hype around various services that are offered. Each company that offers internet service, for example, claims to better, faster and more dependable. In the Long Island, New York area, for example, both Optimum Online (offered by Cablevision), and FIOS (offered by Verizon) each claim to be superior to the other. They each provide data that proves their point. But, how can they both be telling us all the facts? They can't both be better. In the same vane, think of the wireless providers, and their claims. ATT, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint (and even companies like MetroPC, which is now a T-Mobile subsidiary), claim superior service. Yet, for those of us who have been using mobile phones and smartphones for years, we know that results vary in different areas, and none of them are as good as they claim.

3. One of the most successful product marketing companies is Apple. They create anticipate and develop demand for their products like no company has ever done before. They are the masters at the use of the adage, "Sell the sizzle, not the steak," because they effectively convince the masses of the superiority of their products, and that their products are so superior that it is worth paying more for them. However, like every other product and service ever created, there are flaws and deficiencies that require improvement. Apple, however, is a master at even turning that into an opportunity by convincing people that they need their newest upgraded versions, of course needing to make an additional purchase.

4. Every time we hear a piece of financial data, we are told that it either exceeded or failed to meet expectations. Does that say something about the financial results, or rather about how these expectations are derived?

Next time you hear any claim or statement, think about whether it is merely a degree of rhetoric, or if they are factual, true, and/ or real! Is it Hyoe, or Is It Fact?