I am facing some hectic days and have no time to make a meaningful post. Decided to use some down time (waiting for my turn is the barber shop right now) to write a post that have been on mind lately. I didn’t forget about my series about marketing in Toronto. I will write second part about marketing agencies websites over the weekend.
The topic is:mind your emails in the corporate world. Here are some of my ideas about emails. I am not sure about other corporations, but we communicate mainly through email.

Emails are permanent – once you sent that email it will stay in someones inbox or a server forever and ever. If you are international guy or gal, like myself, your words will be scrutinized even more and could be interpreted in many ways. Assuming, there is some competition in your corporate environment these emails could be used as a hard evidence against you. That is why you should act like someone from Mafia and don’t leave any paper trail that you could be nailed for. The simple rule is that if you have something negative and urgent just say it.  Just in case you get into a conflict it is way easier to protect yourself when there is no piece of paper that can act against you. So next time you are angry at a production department – take a deep breath and think if you really need to send that email.

Use emails to build image – do use emails to document the amount of work you are doing for the company. My tip is that instead of sending “FYI emails”, write emails with questions. For example: “Here is the email from ABC and after all my pitches they are considering coming on board with us. Any idea on what else I can offer them?.” I find that these emails let your superiors know on what are you working and also let them mentor you. People like to mentor and own you!

I think in a long run these actions will not only protect you, but will also help to develop a perception of a positive hard working employee. And as you know in corporate world perception is the reality.

If you agree or disagree leave a comment!

Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Seth posted a great idea about eliminating your resume.

However, if you see the trackbacks to the post – most of them have the same idea that resumes are a necessary evil, especially if you are recent graduate.

I decided to put my two cents in: I think people who think it is impossible to find the job without a resume are just too afraid to make the leap from the comfortable to extra-ordinary. Really, anything Seth writes about is pretty hard to do in real life or more correctly very hard to commit to doing it when you are responsible for the actual bottom line.

I don’t think the problem is with Seth message though, I think the problem with people who are not ready to commit to extra-ordinary they are not ready to be heroes!

Believe!  But don’t forget to Act!

p.s. I also think that sending three letters of reference for a recent grad are way more effective than writing a resume. Think about it: any HR person will know that recent grad has no experience, so whatever is in the resume is just an attempt to cover that up. Companies that hire recent grads, hire them for their ability to develop a skill set and the best way to showcase what your abilities are in that case is through reference letters.