Doing business on the wrong side of the digital divide is a bad idea.
Being on the wrong side of the digital divide is a dangerous place to be because it puts you one or two steps away from being on the wrong side of a social and cultural divide.
Bit heavy I know, not your regular local, mobile and online online marketing pointers and tips to be absolutely sure!
I run an online marketing agency in Plymouth, Devon. It isn't a rich place and there is - like so many cities in this recession-riddled world - a lot of disparity between those that have and those that do not.
And I'm not just talking about money. Prior to getting money you need skills, confidence, resolution, education aspiration and a goal. These attributes are increasingly in short supply and as a consequence people loose hope.
Business people loose hope like everyone else. They're survivors for the main part but even the most determined small business owner gets desperate if times are difficult enough.
It may be enticing for me to leverage the pain being felt by business people in difficult times so that I can make them buy into my online online marketing services but I will not do that.
Why?
Well first I sell strategic online marketing solutions not silver bullets and I don't need to raise false expectations.
Secondly, I don't want to sell mystery I want to sell mastery.
By leading people out of the dark and giving them the knowledge, processes and support they need to start doing business on the right side of the digital divide I am giving them hope. I am being a buddy to their business and I am not profiteering from their shortage of understanding.
As well as being in business I am a member of my town, my community and I see the damage that a scarcity of opportunity, confidence and education can do to the place in which I live.
Marketers have a role to play in lifting hopes, abilities and desires.
We can only do this if we help move businesses onto the right side of the digital divide and help give people the skills, tools and service they need to improve their lot in life.
Being on the wrong side of the digital divide is a dangerous place to be because it puts you one or two steps away from being on the wrong side of a social and cultural divide.
Bit heavy I know, not your regular local, mobile and online online marketing pointers and tips to be absolutely sure!
I run an online marketing agency in Plymouth, Devon. It isn't a rich place and there is - like so many cities in this recession-riddled world - a lot of disparity between those that have and those that do not.
And I'm not just talking about money. Prior to getting money you need skills, confidence, resolution, education aspiration and a goal. These attributes are increasingly in short supply and as a consequence people loose hope.
Business people loose hope like everyone else. They're survivors for the main part but even the most determined small business owner gets desperate if times are difficult enough.
It may be enticing for me to leverage the pain being felt by business people in difficult times so that I can make them buy into my online online marketing services but I will not do that.
Why?
Well first I sell strategic online marketing solutions not silver bullets and I don't need to raise false expectations.
Secondly, I don't want to sell mystery I want to sell mastery.
By leading people out of the dark and giving them the knowledge, processes and support they need to start doing business on the right side of the digital divide I am giving them hope. I am being a buddy to their business and I am not profiteering from their shortage of understanding.
As well as being in business I am a member of my town, my community and I see the damage that a scarcity of opportunity, confidence and education can do to the place in which I live.
Marketers have a role to play in lifting hopes, abilities and desires.
We can only do this if we help move businesses onto the right side of the digital divide and help give people the skills, tools and service they need to improve their lot in life.
About the Author:
By Stephane Kolinsky of Springboard Outsourcing: integrated marketing agency plymouth devon and consultant mobile website developer plymouth devon.
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