I subscribe to a Sandy Abell’s very good newsletter “Focusing on Your Success” and her daily “Inside Insights” questions that get you thinking in new ways about your business.
I strongly recommend you take a look at both of these (they are free) on her “Inside Jobs Coaching Company” website.
In the May issue, she asked the question “Is Common Courtesy Still Common?”
Sandy has noticed that things such as returning phone calls, replying to invitations with an RSVP and acknowlwdging gifts seem to be lacking.
Her question got me thinking, evidence of a lack of courtesy in every day life is noticeable. Just one example; recently I saw a man in his early 20’s open the door of a bank, walk through and then let the door swing shut right in the face of his female companion. (They got out of the same vehicle so they were together)
Perhaps they were having some sort of “domestic situation”, it doesn’t matter, bad manners are inexcusable.
Then I thought about why some marketing emails, sales letters and particularly, sales phone calls irritate me so much. Being in a marketing business myself, and being active on-line, I accept that I will receive hundreds of sales messages. Despite autoresponder opt-in requirements, I still get many unsolicited emails.
This is something of a generational thing, what I as a baby boomer find un-courteous, my son in his 30’s may not. But its worth considering if you are marketing to seniors and baby boomers.
What is one of the key factors for me, in deciding to read or delete an email? Why do I stop some tele-sales people immediately but let others go through their pitch before letting them down gently? Why do I refuse to listen to any recorded call if I have not first been asked by a “live” person if I am willing to listen to it?
One of the key factors is certainly courtesy, if I feel that the approach is not courteous and respecting me as a person, that is a complete turn off. That is probably why I have an intense dislike for recorded calls and do not use them in my marketing.
So what about you, do you get tuned off by un-courteous approaches?
What about your marketing? Do all your messages pass the courtesy test?
Wishing you success in all your endeavours.
Peter I couldn’t agree more, I get so angry some times at some of the blatant disregard for good manners and courtesy that I often end up slamming the phone down after give the caller a piece of my mind.
Another thing that really winds me up is when my ex phones to speak to one of our daughters. His exact first words are “Is ***** there?” Not “Hi Gert how are you?”
Such bad manners as far as I’m concerned.
Oh! now you have started me off!!!
I hope my marketing message passes the courtesy test but I think I should check it out just to be sure.
Great post.
Gert.
Thank you very much for that marvelous article