Guess who's a world champion that's not in the record book?

[MQSeries]

http://www.michaelweiss.org/creatingchampions.pdf

The brochure for Weiss's motivational speaking promotion describes him as having won "multiple U.S. and world figure skating titles". Mike is a "renowned U.S. Nationals and World Figure Skating Champion". 8O

Um, ok. I guess he's hoping that the people who'll hire him won't even know what in the heck is a World Figure Skating title. Isn't this like lying on your resume? Bad, Miky. Bad!

[Skatewind]

I fail to see what the problem is with the phrase "multiple U.S. & world figure skating titles", since it seems accurate. Regarding "U.S. Nationals & World Figure Skating Champion", perhaps the copywriter (who I'm sure is not Michael Weiss) could have clarified it & worded it better, but it's not going to ruin my day. Michael Weiss did win a junior Worlds & in the USFSA directory, for example, the heading is "Champions of the United States" & it encompasses all levels. If that's the case, then skaters who fit the criteria can use the term if they like. Going into heavy attack mode regarding this one short phrase seems a little heavy handed to me.

[icyboid]

ITA, it seems fishy at first, but it's just worded really well to make his accomplishments bigger than they seem. Publicists sometimes spin just as well as their skaters. :roll:

[Tapper]

Yah, but these accomplishments aren't "small"... winning the world junior title is noteworthy... and so the statement is truthful.

Then again, considering the aura MW projects, I can see why this would be jumped on as just another attempt to make himself seem great [er that he really is]. He does seem to have a lot of ego oozing out of him... why does it seem that way, I wonder.

[MQSeries]

"multiple U.S." titles is a correct description. But how does "multiple" and "world figure skating titles" apply to Weiss, since he hasn't even won one world title, let alone multiple ones? When skater and people in skating refer to a world title, they're only referring to the world title that is earned at the big competition that take place each year in March. Any other titles, e.g. Skate Canada, Skate America..., is not considered a world title. Why not be correct and just say 'mulitple international titles' instead?

Sure a copy writer wrote the brochure's content. However, Michael is going to use the material to advertise himself to the public in order to get paying gigs as a public speaker. In essence, the brochure is his resume. Are you telling me that neither Mike nor his family nor his PR people had the time to proofread the material to make sure that everything being said is 100% accurate before putting it out for public consumption? Even if the intent was to harmlessly overinflate one's credentials, is it wise to do so if you're a public figure where any potential employer can easily verify facts about your accomplishment or non-accomplishment?

Overinflating one's resume, putting down false information in the business world ... gets you fired, not hired.

[Skatewind]

Sorry, I disagree. Maybe it's because I try to look at these issues as they apply to all skaters, including Michael Weiss, rather than singling out one skater because I dislike him or her & have an axe to grind. If the chapter heading in the USFSA directory is "Champions of the United States" & it doesn't differentiate between levels except in the sub-groups, then it seems like any athlete listed in the chapter should be able to use the term "champion" in this manner if they wish. Same for ISU competitions. Since people generally would give more credence to an official USFSA directory, etc than they would to categorizations by message board posters like MQSeries or Skatewind, then I would say the official directory would be a primary reference point as to whether it's acceptable use or not. Since it appears it is, then they can use it if they want. If one doesn't like it categorized that way, the complaint would not be with the individual athlete but with the way organizations title their award winners. I would venture to guess there are any number of athletes in any number of different sports who have similarly structured copy of this type for promo brochures. I certainly don't consider it false information or the same thing as "job inflation" - not even close.

[Artemis]

I certainly don't consider it false information or the same thing as "job inflation" - not even close.

Well, I agree it isn't "false." However it definitely qualifies as a degree of "job inflation" IMO. Although the official definition of world title may include junior, the general population for whom this information is intended are more likely to think that world title refers to the world champion, as in senior level.

I agree that it's likely other skaters may have done this kind of padding in their own resumes, and it may seem a bit unfair to single out Mikey for this kind of criticism. But then again, this is a skater who as a record of inflating his achievements ...

[Schmeck]

I'm confused - what multiple World Figure Skating Titles has he won? To me, only the World Figure Skating Competition, which is the senior level, not junior (which is called the Junior World Figure Skating Competition) has a World Figure Skating title. Or is he using Bronze Medalist as a title?

Read through the whole schmiel - he boasts about being the first US skater to land a Quad Toe Loop - WOW! So, Timmy landing his first quad as a Junior was nothing, right? Guess it just wasn't a quad toe...

This is just so much pathetic hype - I'd love to go to one of these seminars just to question him on his world titles, etc. :twisted:

[vesperholly]

Noteworthy? That World Junior title is 10 years old. Once I graduated college, I stopped putting high school accomplishments on my resume. I think that was some creative writing designed to mislead. No, it's not false, but that doesn't make it right either.

Weiss is a three-time US National Champion, two-time World medalist, two-time Olympian, and Grand Prix events champion (Skate America, Trophee Lalique). And all within the last six years. His more recent credentials are excellent. Why his publicity team feels the need to write misleading copy when there is no need is beyond me.

[Tapper]

Noteworthy? That World Junior title is 10 years old. Once I graduated college, I stopped putting high school accomplishments on my resume. I think that was some creative writing designed to mislead. No, it's not false, but that doesn't make it right either.

So, it's Not-worthy instead of Noteworthy! :lol:

I see your point.