Caught in the Web

Preface: While this post isn't specifically about YOUR job, it speaks to behavior that could adversly affect the "actor" and his employer.

I’m one of those people who’s up late at night, surfing the web for interesting reads, and “lurking” into closets that may not have been open to me in another era. Why? Because I find it relaxing, informative and interesting. Some might call what I do “doing my homework”, others might call me nosy.

How often do I leave comments? Not very. I suppose I leave “internet” footprints everywhere I go, but all they say is that I’ve been there, not why.

And sometimes I form opinions about whether a new product or service is “hot” or “not” or what it’s like to work at a company I’m researching.

I always stop to consider the context and who’s likely to leave comments on that particular site. If I google a pharmaceutical product, I know that aside from marketing and Clinical information, I’m going to read comments from the frightened and the disgruntled (i.e. I’m getting a rash from this pill did you get one too?) Truthfully, I’ll hold suspect the “good news” Why? Because people are off living their lives when their medications work, not doing testimonials.

So, when I read stuff on the web (and many other places for that matter.)

Does what I read influence my behavior? You bet!

Do I assume that everyone has an agenda? Yup.

Do I believe that anyone has the right to say anything they want on the web, be it true or false? Yes!

When I heard on the news that Whole Foods CEO John Mackey spent years anonymously posting not-so-nice messages about competitor (and take-over target) Wild Oats on internet message boards, these were my thoughts:

Is that really illegal?

I hope not. Everyone should get to say what they want.

Don’t most people know to beware of comments that people aren’t wiling to sign their names to?

Though an author’s choice of anonymity isn’t necessarily malicious, it is suspect. An anonymous post says “I don’t want to be held accountable for what I say.” And maybe that’s the case with this blog, it’s anonymous but rather than for reasons of deception, it’s so I can be more honest, I don’t want to hold back so I don’t sign my true name.

To John Mackey I say:

Don’t you have better things to do John Mackey?

You could make sure Irene’s biscotti are always in stock or vary the cheese samples in my local store. OR make my Whole Foods so appealing that I choose to shop only there instead of there AND at Wild Oats. Ideally competition would inspire you to a more customer-focused business leader.

You sound sort of fun John Mackey. A late-night comrade of the web. Why go to a support group or bore your friends and family with negative Wild Oats jive when there’s a world of willing readers out there. If the things you’re saying are true, why not enlighten? And as long as you’re into shedding light, why not reveal the cost of Irene biscotti? Five bucks plus change for no-frills cookies is far from a steal.

How “Whole” are you Mr. Mackey? Have you tried the calming, soothing lavender potions you sell? And oh, didn’t your Mommy teach you to play nice in the sandbox? (God knows mine tried!) There’s a poster in a pre-school not far from my home that says:

Is it true?

Is it nice?

Is it necessary?

What would you have done if you asked yourself these questions before you took action?

Competition can bring out our best or our worst. Let’s use our freedoms (and I believe that posting anonymously and saying whatever you want is one of them) to see how big we can be and let’s not look for the government to limit our smallness.

Tags: Mackey, “Whole Foods”, anonymous, “Wild Oats”, Google, posting, “freedom of speech”, competition

Comments

[Audra]

I think you should act responsibly when you're posting things on the internet. Some people can't make the distinction between opinion, fact, fiction....although you do create your own reality, it is important to at least start in a neutral place!