Are you offended when I call you “friend”?
Received an email today from an Email Marketing Consultant and subscriber to my e-zine, “Successful Self Employment News.”
In a kind but non-nonsense way she chastized me for sometimes addressing my readers as “friends.” Her recommendation was: switch to “colleagues” — it’s more appropriate for business relationships.
I don’t agree.
After 20+ years working with Fortune 50 corporations and technology companies, I understand where she’s coming from. It would be unseemly to call someone a friend in that environment, unless you connected with the person outside the office.
Thankfully, I’ve left the coldness and formality of giant corporations behind me!
I feel a heart connection to my readers. Maybe that’s why so many have stayed with me for 5 or more years… We’re in relationship, thanks to the Law of Attraction, whether we ever meet, speak or correspond.
“Friend” is how I think of my readers and how I’ll continue to address them.
Alison Stoodley on 26 Jan 2008 at 8:18 am #
I completely agree with you Andrea, in fact, I feel that the global shift in thinking that we are currently experiencing will show that the businesses that make ‘heart’ connections with their clientèle will ultimately succeed, and the cold, formal world of giant corporations will be a thing of the past. To tie in with the previous post about marketing, one of the worst things I see in todays marketing trends is the barrage of completely insulting ads, as if we were simply too stupid to think for ourselves, or to not get sucked in by the latest fad. It is one of the reasons I no longer watch TV and if I do catch a show I either tape it and fast forward commercials or mute them altogether. If advertising companies connected with the consumer in a way that says ‘I hear you and I understand what is important to you’ the entire corporate world would turn upside down and the definition of a successful company would be forever changed. I personally can’t wait for that day!
Bani Södermark on 26 Jan 2008 at 6:10 pm #
Andrea,
I read your posts everytime and feel gratified that you call me your friend, for that’s what you are. Your concern for your clients is palpably genuine, you truly look for ways within and without for ways to help your clients.
Besides, I think that big corporations with faceless employees are on the way out, what with downsizing and outsourcing and all. Personalized service seems to be going up in demand. Your attempt to create an inner circle so as to increase your personalized client base is laudable. I wish you all success.
Ian McIntosh on 27 Jan 2008 at 4:33 am #
“Friend” as a salutation works for me. It makes minimal assumptions about me.
Mary M on 27 Jan 2008 at 8:43 am #
The designations we give others is our own. In these times, it is more necessary to understand compassion and be open to each other - open to how we are different, how we see and communicate in our own special ways. If we focus on that, the terms (which are old anyway until we create new language that expresses what is changing in our lives and in the world), the terms don’t really matter. It is where they come from in the sender, and where we are in ourselves to receive them.
Best wishes to everyone’s endeavors!
Mary M.
Kieran on 27 Jan 2008 at 5:55 pm #
Hi Andrea,
The word ‘friend’ implies a connection on several levels. According to the Macquarie dictionary, the word means, “Pal, buddy, companion, ally, acquaintance: A person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard: A well-wisher, patron or supporter”.
Having regard for the above information, the word friend can be used confidently and effectively in so many instances. As difficult as it might be for some to grasp, one can have ‘friends’ within a work environment who are not in one another’s pockets.
Work colleagues are friends: Sub-ordinates, managers and clients too, according to the definition.
Those who support a cause and add depth, colour and life to a group are friends.
As an inspirational speaker, I classify as ‘friends’, all who come to interact with me. It is not derogatory and nor is it a thoughtless assumption about another’s feelings towards me.
My classification of others as MY friends, allows me to connect with them in a very warm and compassionate way. It makes the bridge between stranger and ….. friend, a very real entity. It closes the gap and gives me the link I need to embrace the interaction between us on whatever level it occurs. It simply helps to break down barriers.
I have literally tens of thousands of friends, because these wonderful human beings interact with me daily in all aspects of my life, in a very effective, uplifting and salacious way.
I also have best friends who are a part of my inner world and share my life’s journey: This incorporates my emotions, thoughts and feelings on a very personal level.
I truly urge those unable to make the leap of faith between colleague and friend, to do so and experience the feelings of elation. Open your hearts and minds and know, they are one in the same.
Friendship is a bond on so many wonderful levels.
Gli amici buoni, fortuna buona!!
Kieran