Conflict means different things to different people. Even discussing it on a blog that's usually about real estate conjures up emotions among some. A fellow blogger asked for opinions about allowing opposing comments to stand on a blog when they are from an anonymous party. The dilemma was whether to leave them or not.
The blogger agent's handling of negative comments or differences of opinion on a blog can positively demonstrate negotiating skills. One of the reasons I blog is to show my skill as a real estate agent. How I deal with opposing opinions or outright negative comments is indicative of how I deal with differences in negotiating an offer. Handling attack on a blog shows a person's true stamina when in the midst of dispute. Can the pressure of a stressful real estate transaction be handled or does his/her personal ego get in the way? Is the blogger a problem solver? Is communication continued or does one party or the other "take their ball and go home?" Is the problem solved by getting louder or more powerful than the opponent? Are differences based on information or opinion? Is the art of being silent when useful demonstrated? Can the writer see the other person's point of view and find common ground? Finally, can the writer admit when s/he is wrong? All of these traits are demonstrated in the blogger's reaction to negative or opposing comments and can also be important in negotiating an offer.
My vote is to let an opposing comment stay on my blog. I'm comfortable in my own expertise and really negative comments usually reflect more poorly on the one who is attacking than on the focus of the attack. There is value to the public in how the difference is handled. Observe the blogger agent's handling of conflict and decide whether you want this agent to be on your side in the real estate transaction. Communicating until there is a mutual understanding even if differences continue shows the true art of negotiation where both parties win. Handling of negative comments on a blog can practically demonstrate this skill.
The bad thing about the internet is it's so public. The good thing about the internet is it's so public. So where does one go with that? The ultimate compliment among bloggers is to be quoted and a link placed on another person's blog. This does not, however, include cutting and pasting the entire post to your own blog and claiming it as your own! That is called copyright infringement and it's a very serious issue on the internet.
Late last week, one of the entries on my blog was copied complete with my hand created Paint illustration of a spilled milk bottle. No credit was given to me for authoring the article. Nor was any attempt made to camouflage the theft. The copy cat created her blog the day after I posted the entry. Three days after creating her blog on which Copy Cat posted my entry, she had published somehing not hers! The kindergartener in me started yelling, "Copy cat! Copy cat!"
The copied entry has been deleted today. It makes me question whether I, as a consumer, would want an agent that plagiarizes others's blog content without attribution. My totally biased opinion is that if someone is unethical enough to steal your content from a web publication, that same person is probably not going to be ethical in their business dealings on your behalf.
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