I’ve become more conscious of the many ways organizations try to use my resources to benefit themselves.
- I’m asked if I want to “round up” my purchase, allowing the company to make a hefty charitable donation that they did not pay for
- LinkedIn repeatedly prompts me to be “an expert” and contribute content to their site, not mine
- Companies send me customer service surveys after practically every purchase, encouraging me to give them data without reward
- Amazon asks me to answer customer questions that likely generate more sales for them but take my time to submit
- Companies request reviews and encourage social media postings which do more to promote their interests than mine
- The Wall Street Journal calls me an “opinion leader” and asks me to take 10-minute surveys on issues such as commercial real estate. (??)
- I am required to share more demographic information than is necessary to order tickets or make online reservations (Do they really need my address, email, and phone to sign me up for a free event?)
Each of these requests may only take a few minutes, but time is my most valuable resource. If you generously give your information or expertise, do so with intention. Five minutes a day can siphon off 30 hours a year. Wouldn’t you rather have that time to do something else?
