I'm sorry, generally I don't do this especially not here where I post only fanfics, but I needed an outlet and this is the best place I came up with (since I can lock it and not clutter my other blogs) For those who read and understand who or what I'm referring to, feel free to comment. For those who don't, please know that I'm not going to explain what I've written ^^; If you really do want to read, be prepared: it's as long as hell. Let's start this.
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First of all, just stop.
You're embarrassing yourself and your title as a company if you keep this up. Even if you know next to nothing about event management, at least act civilized. As a part of a company, you have to deal with things on a professional level, so if you choose to badmouth your 'customers', before you know it, it'll all go under before you can even save it. I'm not saying you can't, but I'm saying choose your words wisely before you say (or type) anything.
Second, if it was an error on your part, admitting it isn't as hard as it sounds.
Be humble and apologize profusely for not coming through with the plans. There'll be disappointment, no doubt about it, but at least no one gets too angry or upset. Acting with a little humility is the least you can do in terms of damage control. Even if you don't mean the words you say, someone out there will take you words at value and believe them.
Of course, that doesn't give you the right to lie when it comes to facts. Keep them straight, and tell things as they should be when it comes to the work, for example, what you require of your customers, whether it be their support or help in looking for resources. At least if you're clear, it shows that you value them and their opinions. Some of those out there can surprise you with their insight or experience.
No one knows everything, so please stop trying to make it seem as though you know what you're doing when you don't. I'm not accusing you of being stupid or ignorant, but try to keep your pride to a minimum when it comes to working with people. If you don't know, admit it, it's simple. There are people willing to give a hand and help out when you don't know something. Don't be disillusioned by thoughts of the world laughing at you when you don't know something.
Be clear with what you're trying to say to avoid misunderstanding. If you're not too good with a language, for example, English, then either use a language you're more confident in or speak in shorter, more simple sentences. Even if it's broken and poorly structured, at least it'll get what you're trying to say across without people having to read it several dozen times. Trying to sound smart with gibberish only makes you look ignorant.
The Internet allows for editing. I'm talking in terms of writing a comment, message, post in a forum and etc. That means give yourself time to think about what to write rather than just running yourself off. Behind the text are people, and no matter how tough, each of them have feelings. Racism, ridicule, Your stupidity should be kept to yourself whenever possible.
There's no need to back yourself up using multiple accounts, unless you have a personality disorder (in which case, why are you even on the Net? Go see a shrink.) If your main account and your sub account has the same writing style, don't you think you look odd if people recognize it's you? What does it achieve anyways other than wasting bandwidth and effort on typing? When people say 'give yourself a pat on the back', this was not what they meant, genius.
Never, ever, ever shoot someone down for their opinion, no matter how rude or useless it is. Strictly unprofessional. Every customer has the right to state their opinion, whether for or against your own principles and the values of the company. It's your job to accept the constructive ones and ignore the ones you can't use, based off your own judgment. Whether or not you choose to take action on the good opinions is your call later on.
What do you need to swear at your supporters for? Just because they swear at you doesn't mean you have to swear back; not only does it make you look completely childish, it also diminishes any self-value you have with everyone else, which also reflects the company. And what do you gain out of it? 2 seconds of satisfaction? Not worth it when you lose respect.
Everything you do and say are scrutinized. I say that with emphasis. As a company, and a new one at that, everything you do and say will be closely watched by those interested in what you do and what you achieve. Which means that good achievements will win you kudos points, while bad actions will result in criticism.
That doesn't mean you should jump into deep waters when you can't swim, Sherlock. Research, read up and review what the market wants. Can you deliver if you say you want to take on what they're asking for? Can you give your 250% to the project? Are you prepared to deal with the dirty work that comes with that thing called responsibility? If the answer's 'no' then...what are you doing here? Go open a burger joint.
Effort. Even if things come to you easily, say you have contacts in the right places or most people trust you enough to follow you to the ends of the earth, there's still no harm in showing your effort. There's no need to show off who your contacts are either, since frankly, if you don't come out with anything good, it's safe to say no one cares. It might sound cool and earn you points with the customers for a while, then after that, they'll start to doubt whether what you say is true. And losing credibility just when you're starting out = suicide.
Stay professional even if everything around you is fraying your nerves. You chose to take this on, which meant that you knew the difficulties involved and the people you have to deal with in order to get things done. You should know that not everything you'll take on matches with your own personal interest. Things don't work that way. That means, swallow your pride and take it on as a challenge. Just think how cool you'll look when you do a great job.
I'm not a pro in the event management business, nor do I know the inner workings in detail, but everything I've stated is just common sense. It's not my place to put anyone down because let's face it, they might come at me and start blaming me (in broken English) for being high and mighty if they find out I wrote this. Still I'm prepared if they want to turn against me. I have no problems with it because I know I'll still be the better person. If throwing swear words and empty threats is all you can do, then there's no need to open a company. If my words bother you that much, then do something about it instead of ranting to me or your customers.
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Phew, that was long, but totally worth it. I feel better now hahaha~ I can celebrate turning a year older without this nonsense playing around at the back of my mind. Who knows, maybe I'll unlock this post later just for the heck of it.
If you read all the way to the end, I commend you. Comments will be screened, naturally.