Connections Stay Connected

Henry, Jack, and I were talking the other day – (it may or may not have been over a beer rather than a coffee) about staying connected with our previous clients. As a team, we hold the reputation of remaining connected even post-project. We ensure past clients know we still think of them. Later that afternoon, I had a coffee (this time) with a client I hadn’t worked with since 2021, checking in to maintain a strong relationship. 

Then this got me thinking - with multichannel options to stay connected to our clients, are we all really connected, or is the working world becoming complacent? 

Keeping it real

The irony is that we are more connected than ever. Some argue that social media can contribute to our collective laziness in connecting with others. This occurs because social media allows for quick, easy communication, leading people to prioritise virtual connections over real-life engagements. The constant stream of information and notifications on social media can make it challenging to focus on and dedicate time to deeper, more meaningful connections. 

Social media is the dominatrix of 21st-century communication. Facebook, Twitter, Outlook, LinkedIn and Google+ are just some of the social networking sites most of us visit every day. Of course, social media can help form relationships but I’m not sure how well a relationship can be developed over the Internet. 

Effective communication still requires the time and effort to source and leverage valuable relationships. Developing relationships offline may take a little longer, but it is typically far more effective. The Internet's tools have not diminished this importance, but social networking sites have provided an initial and highly effective first step by offering a wider reach for pursuing networking effectively.

Let's not forget…

Sometimes, these types of connections go unnoticed within the business. We might recognise them as positive aspects, but they seem unimportant in relation to the everyday work we do. It might seem strange or awkward to announce to your team that a client felt connected to the great work we did on a project, but these types of connections are what bring teams closer together and make for a healthier company culture. In short, they matter more than we think.

One thing to remember - not everyone wants to stay connected, which is perfectly reasonable. Connection shouldn’t be forced upon anyone. But it can be encouraged through small acts of reaching out and by creating opportunities to learn about unique perspectives. When our clients know we are more than happy to ‘connect not forget’, it's good for them to know we are here. It's part of going that extra mile from the values Era hold.