He is a Great DJ....But...

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S

Steve Bourguignon

New DJ
Jan 19, 2007
286
0
60
Russell, Ontario Canada
www.twojsmusic.com
I have a DJ that has been working with us now since December, he used to be a DJ for Carnival on one of their ships but is no longer with them since he has started a family here. This guy is fantastic, he knows his music, he knows his equipment, can troubleshoot just about anything. Can beatmix like there is no tomorrow. Is friendly has an outgoing personality and does everything by the book.

I really want to start sending him out to Weddings and other events only there is one small problem, he is really hard to understand when he talks, sometimes I have to ask him to repeat things a couple of times before I figure out what he is trying to say. On the phone its even worse. I have talked to my other DJ's and they also say they have problems understanding him sometimes too. I think he knows that we have a hard time understanding him too.

I think he would be fantastic at weddings but if nobody can understand him then I really don't want to put him in that situation and I don't want the clients to be worried when they meet him either.

What are your thoughts on how to handle this
 
Speech course at the local Community College.
 
You can't understand him why? Because he's impaired or bi-lingual? If he's impaired, he knows and would probably agree to assistant. If he's bi-lingual, he may not realize that his English is broken, so you may have to be more delicate.
 
Like Jacob said, either a speech course, or Toastmasters.
 
Instead of isolating one DJ, why not enlist all your DJs into public speaking course or toastmasters
 
have him walk around for a month with a pen in his mouth long ways to his molers when hes just hanging out it cures a lot of speech problems
 
A - You have to tell him the truth.

B - Suggest the speech class / toasmasters options, but don't make it a job requirement.

C - Send an MC with him to all events that require announcements, such as weddings.

D - Explain the situation saying, if he could do the MC stuff himself, you could send a lower-paid roadie with him, or send him alone, and the extra cash would be his.

E - Explain that DJing may be a lifetime career. But if he ever wanted to get out and into the business world, the speech thing would be a serious impedement.


D & E should motivate him to do something about it.
 
eklondon said:
Instead of isolating one DJ, why not enlist all your DJs into public speaking course or toastmasters
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Thats probably a good overall idea, but not telling the one guy about the issue directly, and dealing with it that way, is not doing him any favors. I would do what you suggest above, but also deal with him like Teddy Bear, above.

The old adage "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" fits here. Dont give all the wheels too much grease, or you will have a mess. One thing I see managers everywhere do when dealing with employees is give everyone blanket directions, when only one of the individuals in the group needs talking to about the specific issue. I truly hate it when I get a directive that applys to a coworker/manager due to their screw ups, but we all get the talk.
 
ou812

I understand where your coming from but a DJ Company is a team and it is only as good as the weakest DJ. When asked for a business card at a event chances are the DJ will give the company card not a personal business card so the company will be evaluated by that DJ. It doesn't matter if the other three members of the DJ Team are the 3 best DJs on this board they will fall under the evaluation of that client that met that one DJ.
 
Cesar said:
When asked for a business card at a event chances are the DJ will give the company card not a personal business card....
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"Chances are" ?
He damn well better give out the company card.

But that company card should have his name on it.
 
Cesar said:
ou812

I understand where your coming from but a DJ Company is a team and it is only as good as the weakest DJ. When asked for a business card at a event chances are the DJ will give the company card not a personal business card so the company will be evaluated by that DJ. It doesn't matter if the other three members of the DJ Team are the 3 best DJs on this board they will fall under the evaluation of that client that met that one DJ.
Click to expand...


Yes...so deal with the weakest player on the team. Or cut him from the team. Dont chastise or insult the other players when they are doing an excellent job with whatever the problem player is having issues with. You are right, the company is going to be judged every event by whomever you send out.

That is why I am a single op, part time, real deal, kick ass DJ.
 
I am assuming that your clients have at least a rough idea about the DJ that is going to be sent out to their events.

That said, could you not say something like, "We have a variety of great DJs, but each one has his/her own personality and style. For example, DJ 'A' has very clear and precise MCing skills, which is his strength while he still puts on a great mix for you. DJ 'B,' on the other hand, focusses more on the music; in fact, this really charming guy does not speak English very well--but that can be entertaining at times as well!"

Thinking as a potential client, though I am not your "average" client, I would love to know ALL of my options (ie: as much as possible about the personality of EACH available DJ).

If you just send out any DJ that you please to events without input from clients, then none of this matters. :)
 
We never did find out why people can't understand him.
Until we know why, there's not much we can do.

If you are sending him to do weddings, it is VERY important that guests can understand him.

At weddings, being able to communicate properly is far more important than beatmixing. If not, maybe he is a better fit as a bar/club DJ.
 
Steve Bourguignon said:
I really want to start sending him out to Weddings and other events only there is one small problem, he is really hard to understand when he talks, sometimes I have to ask him to repeat things a couple of times before I figure out what he is trying to say. On the phone its even worse. I have talked to my other DJ's and they also say they have problems understanding him sometimes too. I think he knows that we have a hard time understanding him too.
Click to expand...

What is his speech issue? Does he just mumble or is it some sort of inpediment. If we knew the problem we might be better able to give advice
 
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