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Keeping it in-person while online

The online world provides for a lot of great connections. I’ve met cool new business people I probably never would have met in the “real” world like Kyle Lacy, reconnected with long, lost ones like college classmates, and found new ways to connect through Smaller Indiana and LinkedIn. There’s a ton of amazing and free information like trendwatching. But in the last couple of weeks, I’ve been fully reminded that we can’t lose sight of the personal connection. I sat on my front porch on Halloween handing out 600 pieces of candy to trick or treaters and watching kids and parents stop and greet friends along the way. That use to be me… trooping around with a pack of kids, we’d see old and new friends, and swap stories and treats for kids and grown-ups alike. I email my family a lot, but there’s nothing like spending a few days together for real connection. And, for all his vaunted use of technology, Barack Obama made a heck of a personal connection. and lots of them. The more people saw and heard him - especially in person - the more impact he had. 49 visits to Indiana. 49! And finally, today, the Hoosier state goes for Obama.

There is a way to combine the high tech and the high touch. The first step is to be mindful that both are necessary and make it your goal to intentionally use both for successful business relationships.