Comments on: Transparency is born from confidence

By: Craig Daniel

Craig Daniel — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:23:58 +0000

I definitely agree with your points. I’ve always believed that if you tell it like it is, you will surround yourself with the friends, colleagues, and customers who you really want. This doesn’t mean you have to be a jerk, but you can take a position and stand by it.

I’m always impressed by guys like Jason Fried from 37Signals who take positions with their customer base and acquire a large group of passionate followers and customers. There are some who hate him for it, but he doesn’t care because it is better in the long term for him and his customers. It’s also a reason I enjoy listening to Howard Stern. He knows who he is and doesn’t change around anyone.

I am always skeptical of the social media gurus who have 1000+ friends on Facebook and who follow thousands of people on Twitter. When I’ve met a few of them in person, I often get the vibe that they are insincere and shallow.
Craig Daniel´s last blog ..Just say no…to your customers

By: Matthew

Matthew — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:50:13 +0000

I agree, Nils. If you, truly, deep down, accept as a statement of fact that youcan’t possibly have everyone like and agree with you, the issue of “are they going to like and agree with me” goes away. What you’re left with is that feeling of being “there” – ready to just be yourself both online and in the real world.

Great point – and thanks for the comment!

By: Nils Menten

Nils Menten — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:07:31 +0000

NilsMenten Likes this.

But seriously, I do. I think there’s a threshold that needs to get passed, accepting that not everyone is going to like you. Once you’re ‘there’, you’re there!

Google persists in putting up a pithy quote from Curt Cobain in my Gmail window that I will now mangle: “Wanting to be somebody else is a waste of the person you are”.

That.
Nils Menten´s last blog ..10 years and a Les Paul

By: Matthew

Matthew — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:45:55 +0000

Hi Chris – thanks for leaving a comment.

I agree that Woot is a prime example of transparency online. I gained a tremendous amount of respect for them when I read their “Returns Policy” in the FAQ and came across the statement:

“Yes, we know you think the item is bad, but it’s probably your fault. Google your problem, or come back to that product discussion in our community and ask other people if they know.”

It’s a hop, skip, and jump from respect to trust – and people buy from people they trust.
Matthew´s last blog ..Transparency is born from confidence

By: Chris Carroll

Chris Carroll — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:40:54 +0000

What makes me laugh is how people like this that lack the confidence to be transparent and be themselves gt to the position they’re in. Woot.com is a good example of a company that fills their site and newsletters with personality. It makes me feel like more thought to appeal to me was taken than some generic machine operated response. Sorry for any typos, typing on my phone here.