Monday, 11 July 2011

Asking a Stranger for a Favour

Hello Blogasa,

So recently I came across this article that deals with How to Ask a Near Stranger for a Favour. It's really neat and definitely very useful in the business world. I thought I'd share with you all:
http://blogs.hbr.org/silverman/2009/08/how-to-ask-a-near-stranger-for.html

Now, there's definitely a good, an okay, and a bad way to ask someone for a favour (e.g. go out for coffee with you, introduce you to someone, do something for you, etc etc). The author here definitely brings some of those points to attention. Granted, I don't agree with all of his points - not everyone is looking for personal gain, for example - so do take some of these with a grain of salt.

Also check out some of the comments under the post, readers write back in and discuss the tips he writes about. They've definitely brought up most of the criticisms I had of the letter he wrote.

Now I turn the question to you guys: Which of the changes do you agree/disagree with? How would you write such a letter?

51 comments:

  1. great link it really makes sense to me

    http://afdreview.blogspot.com/

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  2. Really like that text, might actually be of any help somewhere in the future, but not now though.

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  3. I think the changes were for the better.

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  4. Tx, might come in use!

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  5. wow useful
    certainly agree with the need to respect both the person asked for a favor as well as the relationship between him and the person X

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  6. seems like just common sense, no?

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  7. Thanks for the guide man <3

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  8. very, very, very useful :) <3

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  9. nice article, kinda helpful, keep it up!

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  10. Thanks for sharing stuff like that, this is one of those things that at first sight you think naaaah what do i want this for? but you never know when it can come in handy.

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  11. very useful, many thanks

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  12. I have a lot of trouble talking to strangers, but it's mostly due to trust issues, even if I read how to deal with them, it probably won't do me much good lol.

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  13. I found this fairly useful - I've happened across a few occasions where knowing these things would have been pretty helpful, most notably in asking for job recommendations. Glad to have stumbled across this blog, followed for great justice!

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  14. Good advice but I don't think I would ever use it. I would just feel awkward.

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  15. Good writed, can't wait next post xD

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  16. Cool information I'll have to try it when I find myself speaking to a stranger.

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  17. I never talk to strangers!




    Check me out @ http://yearningandlearning.blogspot.com/
    ;)

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  18. AnonymousJuly 11, 2011

    I thought the first letter was better. Straight to the point.

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  19. excellent writing and thanks for the compliments on the paintings. +followed and look forward to reading much more!!!

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  20. it is better now, nice one Jessica, keep it up and i'll be following you.

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  21. Good guide :D
    Waiting next post.

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  22. I thought the first example was decent until I read the second one!

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  23. Stranger Danger, stranger danger!

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  24. So helpful but kind of creepy, you have to know what kind of stranger your asking for help

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  25. Thanks for the info! nice post.

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  26. AnonymousJuly 11, 2011

    Great post. Really informative.

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  27. as long as you are friendly and outgoing, meeting and greeting with strangers is easy! just gotta be nice, and confident

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  28. Cheking the link. Thanks for sharing it

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  29. Haha the spongebob theme was funny. For me, i just treat everyone like a friend and try to erase any awkwardness. We're all humans, after all.

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  30. I'm not in business as I work in the public sector but this could possibly be used in life anyway.

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  31. I thought it was almost a troll email with all the SBSP references. But yeah, some of those tips are pretty common sense I guess

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  32. I can't remember an instance in which I ask a favor of a complete stranger...

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  33. AnonymousJuly 11, 2011

    Strangers and favours don't go hand in hand for me. I'm kinda shy sometimes. I can always take advice to see what might help. Excellent post, liked it.

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  34. Awesome post. This might come handy soon. :)

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  35. I'm usually not in that type of position. But it seems like common sense to me... i need to write a book.

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  36. AnonymousJuly 11, 2011

    Awesome post! And thanks for the info ") could come in handy ").

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  37. I think it's safer to assume that everyone's out for personal gain.

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  38. I think this would be useful to anyone, even the most social-able people have trouble talking to strangers sometimes.

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  39. This could really prove to be useful to almost any individual out there. Everyone could use a favor every now and then.

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  40. i never ask anyone for favors..

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  41. AnonymousJuly 11, 2011

    You're a very nice.

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  42. i thought asking for a favor came as common sense?

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  43. Am I missing something here? Why doesn't the guy writing this less than perfect note just call the person that he is trying to meet? He could mention that they both know the guy that corrected the note quickly and then get on to what he is calling about, right?

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  44. i will take what i learned her and see if it works.

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  45. Interesting because all your best friends started out as strangers. Despite it being somewhat nerve wracking, it's still an opportunity to start a new relationship. Even if that relationship only lasts for the duration of the conversation.

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