Following on from our two blogs about ethical practices in business and what we try to do here at Discountletting.co.uk regarding keeping the tide of hangers on, stalkers and generally unwanted at bay, today I am digging a little deeper to tell you how we have (ahem…) ‘defined’ the folks who regularly try to approach us for a connection.
So here is our own tongue in cheek look at those ‘types’ and what defines them.
The 5 Reputation Stalkers
The Shadow
They sneak up behind you and watch/ listen to all you do, seeking for an opportunity to strike.
They work on shadowing you for months, always close by but not always in reach
They seek ways to ingratiate themselves with you or your company, they may turn up to your events or stalk you over the internet, joining in conversations when there is benefit to them.
The Coat Tailer
They follow everything you do
They copy everything you do
They attempt to ride off your popularity in whatever way they can find.
The Syrup Dripper
They constantly wax lyrical about marvelous you are, wherever you go they are singing your praises.
They ‘friend’ you on every social channel, even if they don’t know you or have not met you. They may even have met you and use it constantly as a means to keep in your space. ( Regardless of the hints passed along via deletion, unfollowing etc!)
They take whilst pretending to give- ie; they spend plenty of time talking about reciprocity but not actually doing it.
The way to get reciprocal linking is to GIVE FIRST before you expect to receive. Begging is never a pretty sight.Volunteer to help people without expecting a fee or a come back.
We find that by helping people for free you tend to get recommendations and connections which are utterly genuine and not contrived in any way. You are recommended because people know, like and trust you, not because someone trots out a line about being known, liked and trusted.
The Politician
They say one thing – but MEAN another.
OR
They say one thing and DO another.
They seek to maneuver into your space for a hostile take over.
We should all be well versed in how politicians work by now! Often you are not aware that someone is trying to maneuver you into a position for a take over of your space, or they may even try to discredit you. I know a business owner who supposedly monitors their own progress across social media platforms to see what is said about them, yet still chase the cash first whilst giving lip service to helping people.
Question; do they really think that word will not get around? One thing you learn pretty fast about property circles is that it’s very incestuous. Word will get round, whether you like it or not or whether you hear it or not.
The Backsheesh Boys
They offer all forms of bribes to get into your space or to be connected with you on the surface.
WHICH…..
Take the form of affiliate fees, side deals, big pay offs or under the table back handers. This form goes as high a government.
Some folks are so keen to be ‘seen’ doing the right thing with the right people that they will do anything to be there. Of course the most evolved form of Reputation Stalker may well use a combination of the above to get what they want. Some are very adept at trying to force your hand. This to me, is a most distasteful way of doing business, and I for one, hope that the advent of social media will stamp it out completely.
The one thing they all have in common is LAZINESS. Doing any of the above is plain lazy. Build your own reputation, don’t go stealing someone elses. It’s unethical and immoral.
What are your thoughts? Have you come across any of the characters above? How did you deal with them. I would be interested to know. The more knowledge we share, the more chance we have of eradicating these forms of highly questionable old fashioned practices. Do you know any more types you would add to the mix? Let us know- comment below!
