I don’t really know what, how or when this has happened, but it appears somewhere along the (on)line, we have forgotten that we are actually interacting with real humans on the other side of the monitor.
What has prompted me to write this? Well, recently I had an experience which made me think about online behaviours and attitude in general.
Someone made an inquiry about using my services, and during numerous phonecalls, IM and email I gave as much information as possible about myself, my skills, experience and suggestions on how I could possibly assist them. We then agreed to have a skype meeting and whilst discussing the proposed tasklist, it became apparent they required more time to really look into their support needs. Many of the points being covered hadn't even been raised previously and I simply didn't have the required experience. In short, I advised what I'd be able and happy to help with, and we left it on what I thought was a fairly positive note saying we would regularly keep in touch.
Imagine my surprise when soonafter I was deleted from this person’s contact list with no further communication from them ie an email, chat, phonecall, skypetalk – NADA. Whatever happened to professional courtesy? 
I come from the good old days where it is just decent manners and good business practice to get back to someone - whether they can assist you or not. I had only been upfront and helpful to this person, so I was genuinely annoyed I was snubbed without even a "thanks, but no thanks" cursory email in return.
It was probably a blessing, as to me it was an indication of how this person does business, and it certainly is not the type of business I want to be doing!
The point I’m trying to make is the old “do unto others, as you would have them do unto you” or I also refer to it as “good karma”. It just goes back to using some common sense, sensitivity and professionalism where necessary, otherwise you could be missing out on worthwhile personal and business opportunities on and offline. Can we all really afford that nowadays?
Have you had any bad experiences with manners professionally, and if so, how did you deal with it?
Alex
3 comments:
Not to put too fine a point on it, the old saying "good riddance to bad rubbish" seems apposite. A lot of our lessons seem to have to be learned the hard way.
Very relevant blog after experiencing a similar online "attitude" from one of my contractors (now "ex")!
Without any provocation from my admin staff, this contractor lashed out via MSN Messenger about our process and how unhappy she was. Totally out of line and inappropriate and decided she was not working for us anymore. My only option was to "block" her mid-sentence and be done with it. I wasn't surprised to receive a "final invoice" two minutes later.
One would think given the economic climate at present you wouldn't "bite" the hand that feeds you. It was just down right rudeness!
Alex,
Thanks for sharing. Treating others like humans is a lost art these days. Both online and offline manners need reform. :)
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