I'm posting this thread as an example of why I think companies fail to take advantage of opportunities that are present in this ever-quickening marketplace... by no means do I believe that there is an opportunity for ME at this company, but I approached them in a manner where I offered to discuss their business, the greening of America and the impact of the interactive web community when invited into the doors of a business.
Excerpt from my unsolicited email (2/11):"This resume may seem off-target, but in today's world where we are becoming more aware of what we are throwing away—and how it can be reused—I believe that there will be certain industries that will birth the great companies of this century. It is with those companies that I would like to bring my skills to assist in that ascension from good to great."
I then outlined my skill set, the opportunities that may be present given the new Administration and that I'm available for any chance to converse with someone in their marketing arena. Honestly, I didn't expect an invitation, but I'm taking the shotgun approach to finding a job in KC.
It's their response that caught me as dangerously impersonal.
Their response (2/16):"What position are you applying for? We are not allowed to take resumes without a specific position listed. Please take a look at our website
www.deffenbaughinc.com for a full list. Thank you."
Deffenbaugh
Deffenbaugh? Who is Deffenbaugh? Am I to believe that some relative of the family business name (one that is actually called by their last name) is responding to unsolicited HR emails? If I called their office and asked for "Deffenbaugh," who am I likely to get on the other end of the phone?
So, I called em...ME: "Hi, I need to speak to Deffenbaugh."
THEM: "Who?"
ME: "Deffenbaugh."
THEM: "What do you mean, Deffenbaugh?"
ME: (LMAO)
THEM: "Deffenbaugh is the company name, not a person working here."
ME: (LMAO so hard that I had to hang up).
This may be a case where the company is acting it's age... they've been around forever... they collect trash... so their dinosaur mentality may just be a function of who they are and what they do.
My response to them (2/18):I appreciate your timely response, but I must take a moment to offer some advice. In today's world, where relationships are what develop loyalty, this response from you is far from warming.
I hope you take no offense to this... I'm a seasoned marketer with a specialization in developing community, aka relationships customers that has worked with both large and small companies around the country.
1. Your email is signed as "Deffenbaugh." Visions of templated responses and auto-regurgitation come to mind. If I called your office and asked for "Deffenbaugh," who would I get? The answer is no one.
2. In an effort to be nimble and react to opportunity, it is a wise business decision to keep good resumes on file. As Jack Welch, former CEO of GE states, companies go from good to great by being able to match talent and opportunity when one or both arise.
I wish you luck in your business.
This sh1t just cracks me up. Politics taught me thicker skin because the Trolls there are relentless. I admit, since I have a little free time right now, bopping Troll heads has a little entertainment value to me... especially because the bopping isn't as a representative of a brand or an image other than the acutely insane one of bigBADbob (which has a value of slightly less than zilch).
