Comments on: Interview with Craig Newmark – Founder, Chairman, & CSR at Craigslist

By: interview with craigslist founder « All For You

interview with craigslist founder « All For You — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 01:08:42 +0000

[...] Hope on over to Service Untitled for an interview with Craigslist founder Craig Newmark. [...]

By: Service Untitled » To be honest with you.

Service Untitled » To be honest with you. — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 21:38:40 +0000

[...] You can probably rip someone off once, but that doesn’t work in the long-term. Remember the culture of trust that Craig Newmark of Craigslist talked about? Try and build that in and around your company. Make it so your company’s representatives never have to say “to be honest” – have them be honest all the time. « What do you know about your customers? [...]

By: Service Untitled » Who else wishes there were no moronic idiots in customer service?

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 14:50:27 +0000

[...] Find good talent. A big part of not hiring moronic idiots is knowing where to find people. Be creative with how you post your job ads. Are you looking for a customer service representative that isn’t doing anything that complicated and that you are willing to train? Then post an ad for a receptionist with above-average customer skills. This person very well may be a good fit for the job. Ask employees to refer people they think may be fits. Always keep your eyes out for talent. Or do as Craig Newmark suggests and hire hardened criminals, specifically ex-cons to work in your customer service department. (Too bad he was kidding.) [...]

By: Service Untitled » Freelancers & Customer Service: Conclusion

Service Untitled » Freelancers & Customer Service: Conclusion — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 20:28:34 +0000

[...] Do the right thing. In his interview, Craig Newmark said “Well, I think everyone should do the right thing.” That applies to everyone from freelancers to the biggest companies in the world. As a freelancer, try and do the right thing. Don’t cheat your clients, be nice to your partners, and try and do the right thing whenever possible. In a different interview, Craig said something along the lines of “Screwing people can produce short term success, but never long term success.” Try and think of that all the time. [...]

By: Service Untitled

Service Untitled — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 22:18:51 +0000

Ann,

Yes I did. I read that before I interviewed him and thought it was pretty funny. I do agree – you should try to do the right thing all the time.

By: Ann Michael

Ann Michael — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 21:07:51 +0000

Doug – Did you see this article about Craigslist on CNet? Newmark’s last line is great:

“If you want to be successful try to do the right thing,” he said. “In the short term you can succeed by screwing people, but it doesn’t work too well long term.”

http://news.com.com/Craigslists+Craig+Newmark-no+more+Mr.+Nice+Guy/2100-1024_3-6088810.html?tag=nefd.lede

By: Ann Michael

Ann Michael — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 02:13:11 +0000

Doug – this is wonderful. I didn’t know Craig worked customer service!! I saw Jim at a conference back in January and I was so impressed with him. I wrote about it here:

http://managetochange.typepad.com/main/2006/03/a_different_way.html

Great way to run a business!

By: Maria Palma

Maria Palma — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 00:06:51 +0000

Doug,

This is a great interview! It’s nice to know that there are founders of companies out there who still think of themselves as “customer service rep” and make contact with their customers on a daily basis.

No matter what your position is in the company, it is still good to be on the front lines!