Accent's on neutrality for business success

Published on Tuesday 29 March 2005 11:49

NEARLY half of company directors and senior managers believe that a posh accent is a hindrance rather than a help when it comes to succeeding in business, a survey revealed today.

Speaking with a working-class accent is considered even worse, with 86 per cent of bosses considering it a disadvantage.

The research, conducted by communications consultancy The Aziz Corporation, found 64 per cent of business leaders thought a neutral accent was a strong advantage, compared to 49 per cent who disapproved of an upper-class tone.

Professor Khalid Aziz, chairman of The Aziz Corporation, said: "One only has to think of the way a person with a fairly plummy accent, like Boris Johnson, is portrayed in the media to understand the impression created is of someone who is rather bumbling and quaintly old-fashioned.

"These are not the attributes associated with business acumen. The Duke of Wellington may have thought that the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton, but today’s business leaders were clearly educated elsewhere."

He added: "The modern business environment is not as class-riddled as our society remains, and it is interesting to note that being perceived as working class is every bit as bad as being seen as posh. It is much more important that business leaders have a powerful presence. Being classless in business merely allows other, more valuable, qualities to shine through."