Spam, Another Opinion

By Peter Pitcher (c) Copyright 2003

Spam has been the topic of many forums/newsletter articles/new programs, etc. lately. It is a serious matter, no doubt, although not nearly as serious as it has been blown up to be, I fear.

I received the following message as part of an email from an ezine publisher I read regularly. I urge you to check out the link included. Most interesting.

'Start of Message'

"I just received an email stating that "Yahoo is running a "turn them in for s*p*am" contest! . Turn in enough people and you get a free account."... Here is a link where you can see my findings:
http://mail.promotions.yahoo.com/ymail_spamguard "

'End of Message'

This is just downright scary. I have approximately 12 email addresses I use regularly. I receive spam on each and every one. I believe I receive as much or more spam than most but do not find it a problem using my delete key. Actually, I have received many useful items, tips, referrals, etc as a result of spam, many of which I may not have found otherwise. I prefer to judge my mail by the content, not the method of delivery.

I see a movement building that reminds me of a 'WITCH' hunt. I think we need to step back and realize, everytime we forward a joke or anything written by a third party to someone who has not specifically asked for it, we are guilty of spam, under the current definition of same.

We need to stop behaving like spoiled children incapable of thinking and acting for ourselves and following whatever the large ISP's and other Corporations dictate. We 'small fry, working stiffs, peasants', or whatever name you wish to use, to which group I most certainly and proudly belong, are more than capable of using our delete buttons, spam filters, etc. as we see fit, and not as we are told.

Now, I understand spam causes many problems. In the workplace, the time lost must be incredible, although I believe much of the lost time is probably due to disgruntled employees looking for alternative careers and opportunities. If people would hit the delete button instead of reading, the problem could be severely lessened.

I think businesses need to examine the reasons why people choose to do almost anything to get out of work, which is the real problem. I offer boredom, lack of motivation, unreasonable stress and large workloads coupled with insufficient holidays, resulting in negative attitudes towards their jobs and the company. This, in turn, leads to problems in the home, substance abuse, etc.

To solve this problem, businesses need to clean up their side of the street. Begin examining the real problems and stop treating the symptoms. Start motivating people, promote pride in the workplace, pay people what they are worth, allow proper time off for family and other activities. Train management to treat employees with the respect they deserve. Get off the bottom line and into peoples lives.

Maybe then, people will choose to work instead of daydream, goof off or read spam emails offering them a better way of making a living.

Good luck and Happy Prosperity in all you 'TRY' this week. Remember, 'TRY' is an action word, so get active and do it. Happy surfing until next time.
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Peter Pitcher publishes IUW News, a weekly Marketing newsletter delivering fresh articles, tips, resources and much more. New Subscribers receive a Free 7 Part Marketing Course, ebooks + software.
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