You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

Last day’s are always an interesting mix of emotion, particularly when you are leaving without another job. I’ve been lucky to work with some of the people in my office for nearly five years and others for just two. If you are lucky, the relationships you build up in a work environment over time last throughout life.

I took a glance at my IM window this morning and noticed something, 23 of my contacts are former colleagues or former clients. There are also many journalists, some former, on the list that are also now part of my extended friend-tree. All people I talk with and actually see on a regular basis. Why?

It’s simple and relates to the power of social media & networking (of course I HAD to link it back). A common set of values. The folks I remain in touch with through my career are in PR/Communications because:

  • They believe that PR works when done effectively;
  • They believe that to communicate effectively you must be sincere, transparent, genuine and helpful;
  • They have seen PR be the most productive arm of marketing;
  • They know the difference between a ‘pitch’ and engaging a community;
  • They are not afraid to tell a boss or a client “NO!”;
  • They know what they don’t know, and they hire folks that can fill that void;
  • They are not assholes;
  • They are not in it for fame and fortune;

    • We all share a set of common values, in this case about our industry. I have other communities of people who share my value in sporting dominance, politics, food, beer and more. Many of these tend to overlap, but some have concrete borders.

    Fortunately, I’m going to get to add to that list of former colleagues and former clients that I remain in close contact with after I end my day. As Paul McCartney wrote, “I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello”.

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    This entry was posted on Friday, March 14th, 2008 at 6:19 am and is filed under Blogging, PR, Social Media, Twitter, Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

    2 Responses to “You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello”

    1. friarminor Says:
      March 15th, 2008 at 2:10 pm

      Had been in a situation where I also left work where I stayed for almost 15 years. And its not about job dissatisfaction or anything but mainly personal decision brought about by unexpected family situation. And everything seemed surreal.

      Across the universe or strawberry fields seemed more like it for me.

      Best.
      alain

    2. Alex Says:
      March 17th, 2008 at 10:10 am

      Paul McCartney is saying goodbye $50 million thanks to his ex-wife. He should have never said hello to her!

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