I Actually Meant to Say…..

The world appears to becoming smaller with the tools and technology to communicate in many different ways and mediums throughout the world. However what we say in forums, on blogs, Twitter, Facebook etc can land us in trouble or even cause embarrassment.

In the morning’s paper this morning two articles highlighted the issue. The first was about the gaffe Hugh Jackman supposedly made on Twitter calling the Opera House the Opera Center. The second was reports that comments made on Facebook were supposedly passed to employers by colleagues which led to sackings.

These 2 articles are a reminder for me that:

• What we type online is there for everyone, including potential customers to see and interpret according to their perceptions.
• Whilst there are so many ways to track and keep a watch on what our competitors are doing they are most likely doing the same thing to get the jump on our business.
• Remember the saying: “treat people how you would like to be treated” and you can’t go too wrong even if you disagree with another post or comment.
• Don’t be too quick to judge as we often do not know the whole circumstances and as it was reported in one of the articles comments may be taken out of context.
• Politeness costs nothing and no one is right all the time on every subject.
• Potential customers and business partners can form impressions about us, our business, product or services as the initial stepping stone to forming a relationship.

What do you think?