You Are Who You Eat With

Okay, that was a lame title, but if you're reading it worked.

You really are who you associate with, though. At least in perception, and since perception is a huge part of why people do or do not hire you, it's something of which you need to be super-aware.

I don't mean that you should only lunch with cool people, or that you should make a list of folks who you won't talk to. I AM saying that you're being watched. If you're constantly pairing your business with a colleague who has earned a lousy reputation, you're guilty by association.

If you only work with known "commission" mongers, people are going to think you're bribing them for their allegiance.

If you spend all your time working at that venue that expects kickbacks and slashes your rates in order to maximize their profit margins, people will think you're a tool.

If you consistently show up in magazines and on blogs with an A-list crew...guess what, folks take something away from that as well.

I think that people either get complacent and don't care what damage their nasty associations are doing to their reputation, or they start marketing from a place of fear (#1 Business Mistake) and grasp on to anyone who will work with them...whether or not they actually believe that person delivers the kind of product they would want their name on.

Don't lay down with dogs - sometimes those flea bites are fatal to your business' good name.

Shayna Walker, Life in Weddings

Comments

[Shayna Walker]

Hi Laura - I think your position definitely has merit. And I think there is a different between things you know with certainty from experience are happening and rumors, and perhaps that an important distinction.

I fall on the side of choosing to work with businesses that acknowledge a commitment to the same character set that you want to be known for, but I can definitely see your point as well. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[Laura Staley]

I agree with your post, in that our associations tell so much about our character. But how do you know if today's dog has fleas? Rhetorical question, really. Feuds start and stop so often in the professional realm, especially, it seems, the wedding industry. Rather than taking sides, I hope my character will prove itself in that I will not refuse to work with someone based on someone else's issue. I'm here to make people look and feel beautiful on their wedding day or any other special event, or every day (I design jewelry). I'm not interested in any she said/she said nonsense, so I politely tell people, "well, I don't know about that, and I'd rather not know" or something to avoid the gossip all together. Seems like if we all minded our own business, things would be a whole lot better between professionals.

[English_Wedding]

Very interesting blog post, I'm reading between the lines and seeing plenty I can identify with. Integrity is essential for any business, and often lacking in the wedding industry. Nice to see people flying the flag for ethics like this :)

[me.yahoo.com/a/yjaNZyEcjIn5Nn_DsF7tyDk2mYmzl7w-]

Well said! I couldn't agree with you more on this!!! And at least this newbie knows enough to hang out with the 'cool' people! :)
~Tracy D