In today’s virtual world, a lot of business transactions happen via a digital connection. However, certain business relationships should always have a face-to-face element. Without that energetic combination of auditory and visual information, there’s something lost in the translation.
A few business relationships, in particular, that should have that person-to-person connection include when you are talking to a lawyer, an initial meeting with potential clients, if you ever have to deal with customer complaints, and whenever you have to do hiring and firing. If you at least keep those four types of meetings open to face-to-face potential, you’ll find that discussions move more toward your advantage.
Talking To Lawyers
Lawyers are busy people. And a lot of law offices wants to try to get your business by calling you on the phone. However, since lawyers, especially as attached to your business, need to have a personality that you can work with, meeting them face-to-face is a necessity. If you think you can get by just with talking to one on the phone, you may be disappointed when eventually things don’t work out regarding communication between the two of you.
Meeting With Potential Clients
And how about when it’s time to meet with potential clients? From their perspective, if they meet you and shake your hand, there are much more likely to utilize your business services than someone that they’ve only talked to or even just emailed. If you take the extra steps, and you make that extra effort to be in the same room as a potential client, they will judge you to be confident and more competent for finishing up any of the jobs that they have in mind.
When Customers Complain
One of the worst feelings that you can have as a person is if you purchase a product and then something goes wrong with it. If you try and contact the company in question to complain, there is an incredible opportunity for them to give you a run around to keep their profit. If you take the high road, especially if you’re selling a high-end service, and meet them face-to-face to discuss the issues, they will appreciate you and continue working with you to establish a solution.
Hiring and Firing
There are horror stories about bosses who hire and fire people without ever actually meeting them. Especially when it comes to firing someone, doing it in person shows a degree of empathy. Voicemail, email, or even a text message have been used by people who are afraid to face up to their responsibility, and in the end, that never turns out well for them. A loss of credibility inevitably follows that type of behavior.
Originally posted on October 29, 2017 @ 8:50 am