Remembering that People (Not Machines) Power the Internet The Internet is powered by people -

Have you ever been involved in a business transaction online that didn't work out to your expectations?

Perhaps the seller hasn't delivered your product.

Maybe it came too late.

Or broken.

Perhaps you purchased some software but it didn't work correctly.

We've all had some "less-than-perfect" online shopping experience at some point throughout our lives. Despite the difference in setup, the same problems that affect brick-and-mortar stores also impact online business in the present.

The main difference is that if something is not happy in a real enterprise, we're able to go into the situation and start discussing the issue with the employees. This isn't as simple when dealing with business on the internet.

The energy of business online actually reminds me of the way people get in their vehicles. In a flash, other cars on the road don't seem like people they're "machines". We get mad whenever "that car" cuts us off or is speeding or honks its horn at us. It is difficult to remember that there is a person in the car who is in reality the same as us.

It doesn't mean you must agree with all that's being discussed, and certainly isn't a requirement to put up with personal insults. Respecting others simply means treating them the same way you would treat them if they were next to you at the store.