IT vendors: It's time to act more responsibly!
By Linda King, G2G3
As a IT vendor, I often think that we are in a position of great responsibility. We can create platforms on which we can put forward our wares, our opinions and our contributions to the market. And dependent upon the size of your marketing budget, that can often be a pretty big platform. I have to say though, I have been getting more and more annoyed of late by the number of vendors in the market who are abusing this position of responsibility. From fictional statistics to vendors taking open swipes at other vendors via social media - I'm starting to wonder whether I'm working in a professional community or a school playground!
I'd like to consider G2G3 as a socially responsible and ethical vendor - we take into consideration how everything we do and say could impact the industry, and truly want to be seen as thought leaders for the contribution we make. And I sincerely hope that is how we are perceived in the market.
I genuinely believe that every single IT vendor has something to contribute - something truly unique and special that defines their value. It needs marketing to look beyond 'feature and function' though, and start to combine some conscience and common sense with commerce.
I'd like to see a day where I can attend an industry event where the delegates actually want to visit every stand in order to open their minds and learn something new - instead of feeling scared to approach in case they are given the 'hard sell'. Perhaps also one day, marketing will be perceived as a positive and forward-thinking function. Until more vendors start to practice responsible marketing, I sadly suspect this may be a long way off.
As a IT vendor, I often think that we are in a position of great responsibility. We can create platforms on which we can put forward our wares, our opinions and our contributions to the market. And dependent upon the size of your marketing budget, that can often be a pretty big platform. I have to say though, I have been getting more and more annoyed of late by the number of vendors in the market who are abusing this position of responsibility. From fictional statistics to vendors taking open swipes at other vendors via social media - I'm starting to wonder whether I'm working in a professional community or a school playground!
I'd like to consider G2G3 as a socially responsible and ethical vendor - we take into consideration how everything we do and say could impact the industry, and truly want to be seen as thought leaders for the contribution we make. And I sincerely hope that is how we are perceived in the market.
I genuinely believe that every single IT vendor has something to contribute - something truly unique and special that defines their value. It needs marketing to look beyond 'feature and function' though, and start to combine some conscience and common sense with commerce.
I'd like to see a day where I can attend an industry event where the delegates actually want to visit every stand in order to open their minds and learn something new - instead of feeling scared to approach in case they are given the 'hard sell'. Perhaps also one day, marketing will be perceived as a positive and forward-thinking function. Until more vendors start to practice responsible marketing, I sadly suspect this may be a long way off.
posted by G2G3 Blog at
15:43
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