DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am to meet with representatives of a company to discuss our hiring them for a project. While reviewing their website, I discovered three typos.
I honestly believe they would want to know of these errors, and frankly, as when you notice food in someone’s teeth, I have a strong urge to tell them. But I fear that mentioning it at the start of the meeting would get things off on the wrong foot, and mentioning it at the end would leave a sour taste. If we hired them, we would be working closely with them on the project. Suggestions?
GENTLE READER: How about the middle? Not only should this company want to have that information, but also it will be a factor in your hiring them to represent you.
Miss Manners suggests, “We are impressed with your credentials and think you are a strong candidate for working with us. However, you should know that we pay close attention to detail, and we did find a few errors on your website, which you will probably want to correct.”
How they handle this candor, and whether they accept -- and act upon -- your feedback, will go a long way toward telling you if this is a company with whom you will want to work.