LinkedIn inbox message tool, Pina Colada’s & why manners matter

This newsletter is all about timely communications and good manners. I discuss the brilliant??LinkedIn ‘Away’ inbox message tool and why good manners on LinkedIn matter. ?

And if your wondering what Pina Colada's have to do with the price of ducks and the topics herein, well hold on ...... all will be revealed ??

But first I would like to to share a little bit of my own family and business background as to why good communication and manners on and off line are important to me.

Ever since I was a kid I was taught the value of good manners and communication skills.?

Dad was at the helm of global engineering machinery and chemical businesses. And Mum was in sales administration in competitive industrial businesses. International and national visitors were regulars in our home and both Mum and Dad were warm and entertaining hosts. ???

Our home phone rang regularly at all hours and particularly from overseas clients and suppliers. ?The household rule was that whoever was closest to the phone must answer it quickly. So I was taught how to do so with politeness and confident professionalism from about 7 years old. Yep you read right, 7 years old. ????

Dad’s suppliers and clients, knowing he had a little daughter would send beautiful gifts and dolls representing their country,

I especially loved the beautiful Japanese Geisha dolls that I received from Dads clients in Japan.

The importance of appreciation and sending thank you notes for gifts was instilled in me.

Then as I became a teenager I went into Mums workplaces for work experience on reception. And I observed how Mum dealt with clients and the way she would follow-up enquiries.?

Mum was always was so appreciative of anyone and any action of help and support given, no matter how small or large. Now this was many decades before the world of mobiles, Google and LinkedIn.?

Think plug and cord switchboards, landline phones, manual typewriters, telexes and 2 way radios.?

Communications were just important then as they are now, but with very limited options.

I saw first-hand the benefit of timely communications and manners on not just the bottom sales revenue line but in building rapport and respect.???

So it was a given I would take those lessons into my own career (which started decades before LinkedIn, Google and mobile phones too).??I was always in roles and sectors around sales, relationship building, creative solutions and problem solving.

And because those sectors were really super competitive, time was of the essence at every turn.?And I loved delivering answers and solutions quicker than others. I prided getting in first and never breaking promises.

Then in my recruitment agency (2005 - 2016) manners and responding quickly to everyone was a value I hung my brand on.??

I believed that both candidates and clients should receive prompt communications and honest responses.??

Even if I had no word from a hiring company to report, I would still call or email candidates to let them know I hadn’t forgotten them.?

It took a few seconds to ping an email or quick SMS.?People like to feel valued and know they are not being ignored.??Even if I had bad news (often) it didn’t delay the call/email.

And guess what, candidates would turn into clients down the track and refer their mates to my agency. Manners and timely follow-up enabled my recruitment agency to surge and expand.

Here now in 2022 we are totally spoilt for communication choices 24/7 - email, WhatsApp, social media, LinkedIn, text messages etc.? And yet there is even less good manners and follow-up communications than ever before.?

There are so many channels to communicate easily these days and we are all pretty darned quick with the thumbs and fingers.??

But, lazy, delayed or non communication can and will damage your personal brand, referrals and trust.?Now life happens, illnesses, death, unforeseen emergencies, business circumstances etc happen and get in the way which is understandable.??

Like a healthy diet, it’s the most times that matter vs occasional stuff ups. ?

As promised, there was a reason for the Pina Colada poolside image. And here it is:

This was the fun ‘Away message’ I set up for inbox messaging in January for a few days when I was taking a beach break.? (Obviously if I was running training sessions for a few days I would write a different message).?

Everyone that messaged me during those few days received the above automatic message as soon as they sent the message (half a second). How brilliant and it absolutely puts people’s minds at ease, shows you care to communicate, builds trust and timeline expectations.

The feature is available only to Premium paid members and not free accounts.?It truly is a fantastic but much under-utilised tool.??Hoping this Newsletter changes that for many.

The applications are wide - not just for holidays but for times when you know you won’t be available online for a few days, recruiting, training etc.?

The value is fabulous and people will not feel ignored, sense you care generally and have expectations of timeframes.

It's super easy to set up and amend anytime. Go to the Messaging box and 3 dots drop down and off you go : ?

For more information on this fabulous tool check out LinkedIn reference guide here

LinkedIn is fast paced and things get away with us all at times.?????Building trust and a good personal brand reputation is elevated by good manners and respectful communications.

The main 9 areas that can build or reduce personal brand trust are:

1. Invitations - sending
2. Invitations - accepting
3. Network management
4. Private (DM) Messaging
5. Saying NO thanks
6. Attribution & Tagging
7. Plagiarism & Attribution
8. Content Sharing
9. Post Bombing

Read the full article and details on the 9 points HERE

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Be good and have fun until next time. Anyone up for a for Pina Colada?

About

Sue Parker is the founder and owner of DARE Group Australia.??

A personal brand communications, career/job search strategist and LinkedIn specialist.

Sue works with business leaders, small businesses and career executives in both?public and private sectors.?

A well published media commentator and writer on her expertise, Sue is Australia’s No. 1 media contributor on LinkedIn topics and news.?TV & Media Portfolio here

Get in touch to explore how Sue can help your business or career goals and challenges ?[email protected]?or?www.daregroupaustralia.com.au

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