I just learned a lesson today in a very hard way! I contacted via email several people to invite them to join a group on LinkedIn. I made the mistake of addressing the people by their first name in my email and really offended one of them. Never thought such a thing would be an issue now days but lesson learned! Ouch! Can't let things like that get me down, gotta keep going!!
I, personally, am not offended by the use of my first name. It seems to me that the only people who are tend to be really uptight and I wouldn't want to work with them, anyway! Sorry for the bad experience.
The very first client I signed a contract with was highly offended when I replied "Yes, ma'am" to her. I am from Texas and that's the way I was raised, she is from New York City. She told me not to ever say that to her again. I told her I would do my best and she has been my client now for 2 1/2 yrs. Can't help the way my momma raised me! Anyway, don't let it get you down. People are different and that's a good thing. The world would be a boring place if we were all the same.
Best of luck to you!
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Carol Mikel
Precision Secretarial
I always address people by their first name when sending invites. Of course most of the time I have met or talked to them on the phone. I am starting to get selective about who is in my networks so I try to only extend to who I know or a person referred or introduced from who I know.
Some people are just like that but you have to wonder how much interaction they get within their network being that stuffy.
If I have never had back and forth interaction with them, it's Mr., Ms., or Mrs. for me. I also never ma'am or sir unless the person is significantly older than me, or a person in authority - but not with peers. Is it weird I have rules like this for myself in my head?
Well I know better know and won't take the risk of offending anyone again, it's all Mr. and Mrs. from now on! I actually wrote back to apologies and got an answer back which was very positive. I learned my second lesson today! Don't get involved emotionally and keep it all business! Not everybody will like me and what I do and that's ok!
Funny story, Genevieve - at least from the outside. I guess you suffered some. The client seems like a potential problem, but you certainly handled it well.
Really going ahead and letting the customer be right every time is an effective way to handle all communications with them.
I do use first names if I am familiar with them. If I have been reading their posts and know that they always sign their first name I will go with that. If there is no familiarity with them than I use the Mr. Ms. or Mrs.
It was a good idea to apolgize to them, it shows that you are respectful.
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Erika Glem www.advadminsol.com Let my administrative solutions be to your advantage.
Lesson learned
Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
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