SHOULD YOU BE RUDE IN BUSINESS?

In business, it’s vital to build strong, honest, positive relationships with everyone you meet, contacts, associates and potential clients.

Recently a member of our networking group was contacted by email by an individual from the same networking group who attended last year - it was surprised that he had got in touch simply to slur and insult our member in business and personally without any cause whatsoever.

The background is that before he 'left' the networking group he did upset a few of the members by his tasteful wording and its fair to say, he wasn't missed from the group.

Word on the street is that his business is not doing well, which brought me to question a couple of things..

1 - Is it ever ok to be rude/ arrogant and generally negative to another person in business?
2 - Do they ever succeed in business with this attitude?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this?

Original posted by Brighter Directions here

This debate has caused a massive response on LinkedIn and also the blogs, thank you for everyone who has contributed your opinions and keep them coming!