My little secret shared in getting the attention of a CEO of a large Company

[chief38]

I have written many letters over my lifetime to Company's that did something very wrong or very good. Most times we write a letter to a CEO, we are lucky if it even makes it to his or her secretary's desk - then probably sent to the "circular file"! Send an email, text or computer generated typewritten letter and you are basically reaching an hourly employee who knows less about their product than we do and couldn't care less about you! I will let my secret out of the bag for those who might think it has merit. I will tell you that I have gotten letters, phone calls and responses from "The Man" or "The Woman" themselves! For me it works very well and they actually remember you for years!

My little secret is to send a hand written letter and envelope using a vintage fountain pen. Make SURE you write "personal and confidential" on the envelope too. Fountain pens are old school, antiquated and their ink stands out these days. Their writing characteristics are quite distinctive and stand out like a sore thumb! Although most CEO's probably get their mail screened by a secretary or executive assistant, a letter written in neat script with a fountain pen does peak most people's curiosity these days. Younger people who have never seen a fountain pen still know it is out of the ordinary and probably forward or show it t a higher up. It portrays that you are serious, committed and passionate about letting them know your feelings. I have gotten a much higher response rate in this manner than to simply send in an email or text which I usually find next to useless.

Over the years I have gotten personal phone calls from CEO's from LL Bean, Brownell's, General Motors Corp, our FL Congressman, the then (years ago) VP of S&W, FL State Atty. General, the actual Sheriff of our County, The Lionel Corporation, T-Mobile Corp, Dewey Manufacturing, Peter Luger's Steak House and there were a few others I can't recall at this very second. The point here is if I hear "NO" I want to hear it from the top - not some kid at the receptionist's desk. Well now that you know my little secret - try it and maybe it could be unique enough to get your letter noticed. Act accordingly if you please. Write neatly and clearly - that is quite important!

Of course I always let my wife check for spelling errors that I am famous for prior to sending it - lol!

 

[robertrwalsh]

Interesting idea and obviously a decent track record of success. Of course it helps if you can actually write a decent letter. Many people can't.

 

[WR Moore]

Researching the firm and getting the head honchos name and the corporate addy helps too.

 

[chief38]

Researching the firm and getting the head honchos name and the corporate addy helps too.

That is relatively easy - by doing a search online. Usually that takes only a few minutes.

 

[Tom S.]

In the very near future though, CEO's won't be able to read cursive.

 

[chief38]

In the very near future though, CEO's won't be able to read cursive.

You do have a point there! lol

 

[oldbrownhat]

In the very near future though, CEO's won't be able to read cursive.

 

[Bald1]

Hmmmmmm I'm going to try this With Tyler Mfg…… they owe me $89 or a T Grip. I'll take either.

 

[DWalt]

In my case, my handwriting is nearly illegible unless I write very slowly. Even then it is nothing resembling Spencerian script, looks something like a third grader might scrawl. If I still own an ink fountain pen, I probably couldn't find it. That's why I usually print if I can't type. I did not inherit my father's handwriting. It was beautiful and very formal, like a professional calligrapher. He could have had a career in writing diplomas.

 

[swsig]

In the very near future though, CEO's won't be able to read cursive.

Or write it, either. My grandkids, all adults, occasionally send me notes and cards. They always use hand-printing instead of handwriting.

Twenty years ago, knowing he was a techie, I sent an e-mail to Mark Cuban complaining about my cable TV provider, (which he partially owned), not offering high definition service. He responded within minutes (!), and said he'd try to move them along. But even he was not able to get them to move into the 21st century and start hi-def service. After waiting in vain for several months, I switched to Directv, and have been enjoying their excellent pictures ever since.

 

[Rule3]

I get a lot of those "handwritten" cursive envelopes in the mail.
From the desk of sales manager of xyz auto

"We want to buy your car!

 

[chief38]

In my case, my handwriting is nearly illegible unless I write very slowly. Even then it is nothing resembling Spencerian script, looks something like a third grader might scrawl. If I still own an ink fountain pen, I probably couldn't find it. That's why I usually print if I can't type. I did not inherit my father's handwriting. It was beautiful and very formal, like a professional calligrapher. He could have had a career in writing diplomas.

Well.... you could always ask some one else who's hand writing is good to do the deed. The company will never know! You could also ask to borrow the Auto Pen, lol.

 

[Bald1]

My wife has the most beautiful handwriting I've ever seen. Everyone comments on it. I have friends that have received invitations that she has written. They all comment that anyone with handwriting like that is way too smart/sophisticated to be married to me.

 

[DWalt]

Well.... you could always ask some one else who's hand writing is good to do the deed. The company will never know! You could also ask to borrow the Auto Pen, lol.

My wife's handwriting is more legible than mine, but not particularly elegant. I'd call it plain vanilla, tending toward smallness. A magnifying glass is not needed to read it, but it's close. On the positive side, she can fit lots more words onto a page than I can, and more neatly.

 

[bdGreen]

I keep five to six fountain pens 'inked up' on any given day. I write something with them every day. I don't send letters to businesses. Mostly 'cause I don't have a beef.
I practice with the FP's daily in some form or fashion. It is typically for my own gratification. I have multiple inks from a couple different companies and I have a full choice of nibs to my liking.
If I do communicate with anyone I will, for sure, address the envelope with one. My favorites are the EF nibs. When I sign anything with just my name and no other text I prefer a Bold nib.
I have some cheap pens and some nice pens, but I don't consider buying the high end ones as my penmanship suits me but isn't classy.

bdGreen

 

[llowry61]

Wow that is a lot of feedback to the C Suite. I have not had that many issues with companies. Glad they heard you.

Our company had a fairly robust corporate complaint process, and all complaints were viewed by the executive whose span of control included the area in which the issue arose since there was such diversity in the company.

Complaints were categorized with monthly reporting of Response cycle times, outcomes and customer satisfaction. A high number of complaints triggered a mandatory off cycle process review to determine the root cause and implement potential solutions.

There were situations where we changed policy as a result of customer complaints. If a company takes customer satisfaction seriously complaints are an extremely important listening post.

 

[Rule3]

Don't forget, when writing with the fancy pens and cursive lettering you must use high quality paper and envelopes with a wax seal on the back

 

[malph]

Interesting idea and obviously a decent track record of success. Of course it helps if you can actually write a decent letter. Many people can't.

I agreez wit yiu.