I remember an old American Airlines commercial in which the owner of a company called his sales team into a conference room to tell them
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that things were not going so well. As a matter of fact the owner had just gotten off the phone with an old friend who had just fired his company.
In the commercial the owner was handing out plane tickets to all the cities where the company had clients so that each sales manager could go and visit with them in person. After tucking the last ticket in his own pocket someone asked him where is was going. His answer, “I am going to see an old friend.”
In the fast paced world of the internet, sometimes we need to understand that what makes businesses grow and continue to do so is not to “like” thousands, or “follow” the gurus, but to spend time with some well chosen friends.
Just a thought. What do you think?
Bang on again Dave. Business is built on relationships and they require more personal attention than mass technology allows. Tweets and recommends and followers and Likes have their place, but the power of one will still beat them all in the long run!
I have talked with business owners who have embraced and made great use of technology, but to a person, they are all now realizing that retaining the clients gained through the use of these technologies requires personal attention rather than generalized tweets, likes, and blasts.
It depends on the type of business to some degree but I agree with the point that over use and reliance on technology tends to depersonalize relationships with customers and thereby negatively impact business. Service is all but dead in many industries today and building strong relationships with customers is necessary for sustainable business. Customers will tell you what they want and help shape your business if you meet with them and listen.
Bob – you are absolutely correct. If we listen carefully to the people we are trying to serve, they will give us the answers as to how to best take care of their needs.