du·ty

Noun:
  1. A moral or legal obligation;
  2. Done from a sense of moral obligation rather than for pleasure.

One of the first jobs I ever had was Receptionist at a Broadcasting company that housed 3 Radio Stations.

You learn real quick that you have to be careful what you ‘raise your hand for’, especially after someone leaves/quits.  Seriously, NEVER, EVER, volunteer to help out, “just til we find a replacement” unless it’s something you want to do. It eventually morphs into your job duties, but with the same pay.

I also remember offering to get someone a cup of coffee, and how it turned in to, “Where’s the coffee?” or “you need to make more coffee!“

You might be thinking, “that’s fantastic, I can make myself irreplaceable around here,” right…wrong…

MAYBE. NOT.

Just like the slang term “booty call” used to describe someone calling someone with the goal of meeting up so they can “pleasure themselves” then walk away, a “duty call” is when someone calls on you to do something for them.  Now if you get pleasure too, then it is more like a relationship, of your own understanding, or a duty that you don’t mind doing.

SOMETIMES YA GOTTA DO WHAT YA GOTTA DO

When your immediate supervisor asks you do something, that is based around the job you were hired for, or things that are clearly part of job description, you have to do what you have to do.  Don’t like it, grab a paper, get on Craigslist and look for something else.

I worked with this gal who always used to say “that’s not my job” almost every time she was asked to do something she didn’t want to do, she no longer works there.  To an extent you have to be a team player, while considering what your long-term goals are, especially if you want to grow in or with a company. While some workplaces have “on the job” training programs to help you advance yourself, most don’t, so realistically just be cautious and think about how picking up your bosses dry cleaning or kids from school is going to make you a better Account Manager.

RECIPROCATION

I have helped many brands build themselves around this concept. Personally, I love being there, for my dear friends. I have a big heart, and want to be helpful, but there is also a point where sometimes you feel like people have these crazy expectations.  I don’t mind the occasional, “hey can you tweet, post or share this for me”, that is something I love to do. But when you are a total stranger selling something so far away from my target demo of “entertainment” industry, fun times and Country Music news, I am probably not going to share, unless you are really good friend and I am just trying to help you out.  It’s not cause I am jerk, on the contrary, I value the audience I have and strive to give them the wild, crazy, Sassy straight from the hip me that they decided to follow at some point.

That is, what it is. I know my audience. I understand, most of the time and have a strategy that meets my personal goals and business aspirations.

Just remember no matter what you think, YOU will not be relevant and/or liked by EVERYBODY so shoot straight from the hip, get to know and learn about YOUR audience, find out what is important to THEM, and try not to be boring.  Although, boring probably works for some industries and personas, I have found that the opposite works for me.

Lastly, watch out for “Quid pro Quo”  expectations, don’t ever feel like you have to be someones  ”duty call”.  DO something because you want.  Seriously, be yourself, post about what is important to you, find other people that it is important to them and create your own cadre!

I haven’t been blogging enough. Life has been keeping me really busy but tell me, what’s on your mind these days….?