If you work hard, remain open to all possibilities and build a connection, it is astonishing how many people will help you. Each connection is a person, not just another number to add to our LinkedIn profile. The digital universe can connect us with people who can help us, work with us, hire us, befriend us and collaborate with us. In the last 48 hours
I inquired about three projects with a small handful of people.
I met all but two of them online, I have spent time with three of them in person and four were strangers a year ago.
Digital Will Only Help So Far
You may say it's the power of social media but that is just the starting point. We bump into hundreds, perhaps thousands of people every day and make no connection. It is when we set up a call or meeting and get to know each other outside of the busy online world and connect as people that the power begins to be realized.
The in-person meeting or phone call will never be diminished and should never been removed from your business plan. It is the single tactic that can crush you or help you.
I can't speak for you, but I know I need to pick up the phone more often!
Often companies don’t put forth the effort because they don't want to put forth the effort. They can point to other reasons but perhaps they don't care to hear what customers are saying about them. The world is shrinking yet the basics have never been more critical – reading, writing, partnerships, service and being human.
Do you think it might work?
Kneale Mann
image credit: gruntled
29 comments:
i hide behind email and social media and you're right i need to make more calls and meet more people.
Social media have made us less social. Great reminder.
Nothing replaces human relationships and you can start them online but eventually you need to get off the computer
RT @knealemann: What is your biggest business advantage? http://ow.ly/4uecT
Great article. I do the online thing, my husband does the in-person/phone thing. We make a great team w/business & life! LOL
RT @knealemann: What is your biggest business advantage? http://ow.ly/4uecT
RT @knealemann: What is your biggest business advantage? http://ow.ly/4uecT
You can only do so much by tweeting
Well said.
Very good, Kneale! The last line sums it all up.
Nailed it. Telling that idiot in our marketing department that he needs to get out of his cubicle and meet humans. Thanks!
Wow, I am making this WAY to complicated. Thank-you.
Stephen - We all tend to fall into the trap of technology, it takes effort to remember the best connections happen after the initial ones.
Julie - I think in many cases they have made us more social or perhaps find our voice better but connecting said dots is where magic can occur.
Sharon - Agreed! I can't count the number of people I have met who live less than an hour from my office and we would probably not have met without the social channels. Again, it's what we do after the contact.
Kathy - Thanks!
Helen - Agreed and often we can get confused by online connections if we fail to investigate possibilities deeper.
Cris - Much appreciated, I'm glad you enjoyed the post.
Earl - Much appreciated sir, I hope the post made you think. I reminded me of stuff I need to improve upon.
Your Biggest Business Advantage http://t.co/hn7CQk6 via @knealemann
We are all makers in some aspect of our career, but how do we create things that are worthwhile http://ow.ly/4994W via @knealemann
Yes, it just might work! Have to agree... the other day I had the choice to email, phone, or meet in person.
Finally I decided to drive to the location, park (major headache), and walk in the rain to wait an hour to talk to a stranger. It was worth it. The outcome would never have been the same if I had chosen to phone or email.
Building personal relationships in person? Kickin' it old school still works wonders for business rapport!
Ahhh, being personable in person-nothing like it.
A strong statement...and very true. Face to face is the strongest way to cement a relationship. The phone is still a bit impersonal, but it is better than just an email (which everyone does now).
It sets you apart and that can be the deciding factor between getting the job, keeping the job or making that extra sale.
Also, don't forget the power of a "thank you" note or hand signed letter.
RT @knealemann: Shake a hand, pick up the phone, say hello. http://ow.ly/4v4bk
@KnealeMann | YouIntegrate: Person to person interaction. Nothing is more important or effective. http://t.co/ATeFSje
This post is very true! As a college student(and someone who is more "face-to-face" than "text-to-text"), I feel that as great and convenient social media sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and various blogging sites are, were are stuck in a rut that makes us lazy and less personable! I wish more people today took the time to make a phone call, not just because it is respectful, but it can make a client or even just a friend feel more taken care of and respected.
-E-
Your right of course. Connections need to extend in real life. Social Media is one building block to extend our reach and the basic still do and always will apply. Reading, writing, partnerships, service and being human.
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