A Long, Long Time Ago, Back in the Days of the Dinosaurs---------
This post by Deborah Stone is excellent. In today's world sometimes we forget the value of personal contacts. This post reminds us in a fun way.
.....people used to meet face to face. They would go to the local Stone-Age Coffee House, have a cup of Brontosaurus brew or Pterodactyl tea, look each other in the eye and have a conversation! Imagine that! The only communication they had back then was face-to-face. There was no internet, no telephone, no texting.Fast forward to the latter part of the 20th century. Blogs, e-mail, texting, cell phones, Skype----a jazillion ways to "talk" to someone without even having to look them in the eye! Cool!!
I love online marketing BUT there is nothing like a handshake, a small, shared personal tidbit about your families, a one-on-one conversation.
A nod, a smile, a recognition that we are both aware of the fact that we are in a people business---good people skills need to be "honed".
Today, I had the pleasure of having coffee with a new Active Rainer, Carl Kahn. I contacted him to meet,and to see how we could help each other out. Carl is a truly vibrant guy---he knows his stuff and has a wonderful ability to listen intently to what you are saying. We each spent 15-20 minutes telling each other about our companies and our specific niches. I really think Carl and I will be referring business to each other at some point this year.
Oh, so you may be thinking I could have just e-mailed Carl and told him about my "niche" and to just refer me business. I disagree and here's why. The art of human connection has gotten put on the back burner for many in this industry. I think Blogging is a great way to communicate, but nothing will ever take the place of face to face meeting. I say your business is going to suffer if you don't make an effort to get off your duff, and meet with your fellow industry colleagues.
So the next time an industry professional calls you---mortgage officer, Realtor, Inspection Services, Stager etc. and asks to meet for coffee, take them up on the offer, and don't be thinking "Why would I want to meet, there's nothing in it for me". Think again and think outside the box.
Your biggest and best client could come in the most unexpected way!
Integrity-Solutions-Results
Hogue and Belong Realty-Bankers Hill
San Diego, CA
"Representing clients with the experience of an investor"
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