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It’s a famous quote from a 1972 movie and one of Donald Trump’s favorite sayings, “This is business not personal.” I guess it’s supposed to make us remain unemotional or detached when someone in business makes a decision, or says something that affects us personally. But for most people, careers and businesses are a very important part of our lives personally.
We get and send many mixed messages about business, especially online business. Another popular saying is, “People do business with people they know, like, and trust.” A popular buzzword these days is “personal branding.”
And then there’s social media marketing. We gather friends, fans, and followers. We’re advised to build relationships and not just promote business products and services. We carry on personal conversations in between “business” updates. We use apps to let everyone know where we are all day long, whether it’s the coffee shop or a business meeting.
But yet we ask people not to be hurt by business decisions, because it’s “it’s business, not personal.”
The personal aspect of business is exemplified in the 1972 movie, “The Godfather.” The theme repeats frequently throughout the movie and really stands out in this bit of dialogue between Sonny (one of the Godfather’s sons) and Tom Hagen (the family lawyer and adviser):
“Tom Hagen: Your father wouldn’t want to hear this, Sonny. This is business not personal.
Sonny: They shoot my father and it’s business, my ass!
Tom Hagen: Even shooting your father was business not personal, Sonny!
Sonny: Well then, business is going to have to suffer…”
What do you think? How personal is business for you? Please comment and share some examples of how it’s personal for you, or when a friend or colleague has taken business personally.
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I’m a mom, wife, home business owner, sister, aunt, friend, and geek wannabe. Read more about me here.
Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any tips and hints for newbie blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
Hi Bridgeette. Thanks for stopping by. I invite you to explore this site a little more to find blogging tips and PLR resources. If after looking around you have specific questions please feel free to contact me and I’ll see what I can do to provide answers for you.