Unmet Promises Can Haunt You

We all know we don't live in a perfect world, but as business professionals we should strive to set the bar higher. When we do the right thing, we feel good about ourselves and enhance the reputation of the business, whether we own it or just work for it.

Unfortunately, all it takes is one unprofessional misstep by you or somebody employed by you to do lasting damage to the public image you may have spent years building.

A case in point is a recent interaction between a business professional seeking a part-time adjunct's position at a business and technology school and the contact person for applicants.

The job-seeker e-mailed a cover letter, resume and work samples, all within the job posting deadline. A few days later, the school's designated representative replied by e-mail that he would get back to the job-seeker within a week or so and set up an interview.

Fine up to this point, everybody was operating in a professional manner. Perhaps you can guess the outcome?

The designated time for scheduling an interview came and went, so the job-seeker e-mailed the representative who, in casual matter-of-fact way, e-mailed back that the teaching post had been filled and the application would be kept on file. Scratching your head yet?

At very least the school's representative dropped the ball by not following through with contacting the job-seeker as promised. Professional courtesy dictated at least a follow e-mail to inform the applicant the post had been filled and there would be no need for an interview.

Had proper business protocol been followed, the school representative and the job-seeker would have parted company with each feeling it was a business deal that just didn't work.

Instead, the school representative took care of his immediate need -- finding an adjunct instructor and, in the process, damaged the reputation of his institution, one that's been in business for more than 110 years.

How can one bad outcome affect the future? The spurned applicant has reason to feel mistreated, will tell colleagues, friends and family, and they in turn will tell others to steer clear of the school. The wildfire damage will spread, perhaps for years.

Word-of-mouth referrals are any business' best friend, but the opposite holds true when you "do someone dirty" in the business world. You not only burn that contact but countless others you may never know about because they will bypass you and your business.

The point is you should treat anyone and everyone, in your business or outside, as they though they are a member of your family -- with respect. Skip any promises you don't intend to keep. Do the opposite, suffer the consequences.

As for me, I practice what I preach in this blog and at writenowworks.com.