As the Conservative Party Conference draws to a close, there is much discussion around empty seats and a noticeable lack of energy in the room.

A shame, as politics and policy should be top of the agenda. Even the Margaret Thatcher cardboard cutouts and her famous power dressing outfits gained more attention!

Another notable issue also came to light. The Tory marketing team’s inability to spell…

Having worked in communications for many years now, attention to detail in all comms, however large or small, is an absolute given. Write, read, re-read, and ask several fresh pairs of eyes to proofread. We all make mistakes. Nobody is above error.

So how on earth did a chocolate bar in the hundreds of goodie bags handed out manage to carry a message misspelling Britain? The wrapper proudly says: “When Labour negotiates, Britian loses”, with party leader Kemi Badenoch’s signature underneath. If I was her, I would be furious!

Many of those goodie bags were given to journalists who are sticklers for correct spelling and grammar. Rightly so. It’s their job and it’s in their DNA. And it was indeed a roving reporter who shared the faux pas on social media leading to much mocking and hilarity.

Clear comms, whether a 10,000-word report or a three-word slogan, is powerful and impactful. Readers should absorb and remember what was said, what was meant, and the key takeaway messages and calls to action. They should not be distracted by poor grammar and, even worse, shoddy spelling. The content then becomes memorable for the all the wrong reasons, and the author and/or organisation is left looking naïve and unprofessional.

These seemingly small things have significant implications. Exercising a thorough and diligent approach is all that’s needed. Take note.