Ahhh, the season is upon us.  Peace and good will, egg nog with whiskey, twinkling lights and Santa spam in the inbox.  Seems like everyone is getting into the holiday spirit:

I took a stroll down to our office mail box and pulled out a letter with beautiful packaging, adorned with foil and splashed with Santa red coloring: it had a mailing label attached with my name ink jetted on the label. I tore the parcel open eager with anticipation… Inside, a lovely Christmas Card spreading holiday cheer, but who was it from? Who had thought of me at Christmas time?  I opened the card, read the inspiring pre-printed message and saw the STAMPED pre printed computerized name of one of my clients digitally inscribed on the card. Wow. How impersonal can you possibly get? Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful someone thought of me, but frankly, doesn’t it defeat the whole purpose of the season? Doesn’t sending something so impersonal send a clear signal to the receiver? We just didn’t have the time to actually put any thought into this card, but we thought you’d like it anyway.

I think being impersonal in your business, in your marketing, in your web site can send the exact opposite message of what you actually intended. Automation can harm how people / co-workers / business associates / clients see you. It may have been better to not even bother sending that card.

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Tags: marketing