I recently attended a workshop on blogging and social media networking, where I learned that I need to continue to work to develop original, dynamic content, that keeps my audience interested and engaged, in order to create a true on-line dialogue.
One of the routine tasks to be performed is the updating and maintenance of email reader lists, where individuals are added to and deleted from the list as per their request.
I recently had the occasion where an email recipient requested to be deleted from the list, a request to which we complied. His email read as follows:
Turns out I did not recognize him at a business mixer sometime back, hence his desire to be removed from the list for a blog that was providing him -- I thought -- with a wealth of interesting info on smAlbany, technology and small business, etc.
I found this situation to be unfortunate (in a number of ways), but what can you do...
Rather than trying to be ”memorable” on account of his personality, work accomplishments or standing in the community, he was looking for “professional recognition” from me in our encounter. Because he did not receive this recognition, he wanted to be removed from the list.
This incident reminded me of an event that occurred to me in my early 20’s, when I was just out of college. I was at a technology trade show in Las Vegas and in a conversation with one of my colleagues who was a few years more senior in the business than me. In the middle of our discussion he walked away from me in mid-sentence, and I had no idea where he was off to. Turns out he went off to talk with a good looking woman from one of the other venders at the show. I was quite offended.
When he got back he was unapologetic, despite the offense I took. He told me: “Don’t take it so personally.” When you have an opportunity, you take it, he said. I learned a lot from this incident, and have carried this concept with me in my business networking. When you have less than five years in a professional capacity, it’s understandable (but not always attractive) to seek “professional recognition” from others, but for people who’ve been in business for years, I suggest that instead you work to be memorable, and when something comes up, no matter what, “Don’t take it so personally.”
