A number of years ago, I invited Steve Spencer to a lunch with former co-workers. At lunch we proceeded to do the usual catching up, talking about old times, and general talking about things that Steve had no connection with.

During the course of the lunch, a former co-worker and friend of mine made a genuine effort to get to know Steve, who was the odd person out in this environment. This co-worker wasn’t looking for a job, and didn’t know Steve from anyone else on the street; but she “advertised” that she was a nice person, and that she cared. A year later, when we had an opening for her skillset, not only did Steve ask her to interview, but she was hired for the position.

A few weeks ago, I was getting in an elevator with two co-workers, and there were two people already waiting for the elevator. These two people looked at the three of us, at each-other, and immediately turned to walk for the stairs. The elevator in question isn’t small. What were they accidentally advertising?

What I believe this all boils down to is that personally, professionally, and for the companies we work for, we are always advertising.

The person you shake hands with at the next Utah Tech Spotlight may be the next person you’re asking for information. They may be the person you’re suddenly asking for a deal on a new website you’d need built. They may be your next employer, or your next employee. Outside of a business setting the next acquaintance who asks you what you do may be looking to contract with just the sort of company you work for.

The fact of the matter is that people everywhere are looking for a personal connection. These connections lead to which businesses people spend money with, who is interviewed for the job opening at their work, or which family owned restaurant down the street they visit. One local tech company jumps to mind that values these connections so highly, that they only hire by referral.

Each of these connections is formed from the personal advertising between individuals. Would you recommend the person who treated you poorly at a previous job? The restaurant with the server that dumped water on you and didn’t care? The business with the account rep that dropped your project on the floor and stomped on it?

When these personal connections are tapped, what will others remember about you?

or is it more a case of “Utah vs. Free Speech and Capitalism”? The gist of the situation (click the link below to read the article), is that Utah heavy hitters: Overstock.com and 1-800-contacts, are upset that a consumer doing a search for their company on Google are allowed to see a competitors ad. This law is bound to become a lawsuit, heck, even our friends at Unspam agree it will.

I personally find this to be a slippery slope for consumers. Isn’t it the fundamental right of a consumer to be able to price shop? To compare companies for whatever a consumer finds valuable and do business with the company of their choosing?

Then comes the biggest question: Are we going to pass a similar law for the Yellow Pages?

Salt Lake Tribune