SARubin
MVP
I was reading a thread on another forum, that touched upon a point of morality and ethics in marketing.
One of the members was called out for blatantly lying about his experience, in order to promote himself as being a master marketer.
That member shot back by telling everyone "The best marketers adjust the facts to make themselves look better, so get off your high horses and start living in the real world!"
He then went on to justify his claim, demanding that he could "honestly" say he helped generate tens of millions of dollars for past clients, because he once worked for a company that did so.
And even though he wasn't personally responsible for any of those transactions, he wasn’t lying. He was simple "adapting the truth" to fit his own needs.
Now, I don’t know how you feel about his justification; But to me, with that type of logic, a cashier at Walmart could say they’re a financial manager, at a multi billion dollar international company.
Is it a lie? Or, is it simply an adapted truth?
To me, it sounds deceptive… what do you think?
The thread on that forum has since been deleted by the moderators (which is just as well, because it eventually morphed into a self righteous battle of personal attacks, instead of a valuable discussion).
But, it did raise an interesting question...
When it comes to marketing and selling, Is there a moral "line in the sand" you will not cross?
Or, do you believe it’s OK to twist the facts (beyond recognition), and deceive your market without conscience, as long as you make a buck?
Personally, I have no problem with someone shouting their accomplishments, while whispering their shortcomings, in order to make their resume' look a little better.
Hey look, I get it… I’m a marketer, and I fully understand the need to emphasize the good points, and minimize the bad when selling something. (it’s what we do for a living)
But blatantly twisting the truth and deceiving people, is just plain unethical... And just plain wrong!
Anyway, that’s my thought on the subject.
If you think I'm just being naive here, then feel free to knock me off my high horse.
Until then, I guess I'll just ride off into the sunset. (clip clop, clip clop, clip clop)
One of the members was called out for blatantly lying about his experience, in order to promote himself as being a master marketer.
That member shot back by telling everyone "The best marketers adjust the facts to make themselves look better, so get off your high horses and start living in the real world!"
He then went on to justify his claim, demanding that he could "honestly" say he helped generate tens of millions of dollars for past clients, because he once worked for a company that did so.
And even though he wasn't personally responsible for any of those transactions, he wasn’t lying. He was simple "adapting the truth" to fit his own needs.
Now, I don’t know how you feel about his justification; But to me, with that type of logic, a cashier at Walmart could say they’re a financial manager, at a multi billion dollar international company.
Is it a lie? Or, is it simply an adapted truth?
To me, it sounds deceptive… what do you think?
The thread on that forum has since been deleted by the moderators (which is just as well, because it eventually morphed into a self righteous battle of personal attacks, instead of a valuable discussion).
But, it did raise an interesting question...
When it comes to marketing and selling, Is there a moral "line in the sand" you will not cross?
Or, do you believe it’s OK to twist the facts (beyond recognition), and deceive your market without conscience, as long as you make a buck?
Personally, I have no problem with someone shouting their accomplishments, while whispering their shortcomings, in order to make their resume' look a little better.
Hey look, I get it… I’m a marketer, and I fully understand the need to emphasize the good points, and minimize the bad when selling something. (it’s what we do for a living)
But blatantly twisting the truth and deceiving people, is just plain unethical... And just plain wrong!
Anyway, that’s my thought on the subject.
If you think I'm just being naive here, then feel free to knock me off my high horse.
Until then, I guess I'll just ride off into the sunset. (clip clop, clip clop, clip clop)