Business Etiquette:What is the Human Connection Worth
What if we told you there may be a skill that you are overlooking on a team’s year-end review? Have you considered the importance of the human connection? Are your employees evaluated on this skill?
This module has become my most requested speaking topic.
Last week the New York Times posted an article on how a human experience has become a luxury.
The Human Connection: Why It Matters
The human experience is a major competitive advantage. It is a team member picking up the phone to touch base or scheduling a lunch or coffee with a client. A human connection is showing that you have an awareness that a situation needs special attention. It is having the emotional intelligence to take the client experience to the next level. Yes, that means the everyday experience. …not the occasional phone call or quick response to an email.
Here are 5 ways to expand and up level the human experience with clients as well as co-workers
Have a conversation: As simple as this sounds, start building a relationship by asking questions. Not any question but one that shows a genuine interest. Creativity rules in business today. If you are having lunch with a client or interacting with a new co-worker, plan ahead and think about interesting topics for discussion.
What can you do to be more interesting and noticeable at networking events: Pass over your Twitter feed and attend a networking event in person. Practice your conversation skills. Do your homework. Who will be attending? How can you help or connect others that are attending?
What is your client’s preferred method of communication: How do they want to connect with you? Ask them if they prefer email, a phone call or a meeting with your entire team on special projects.
Attitude: What is yours and why is it important that you have a good one? Good moods and smiles are contagious. If you are pleasant, enthusiastic and courteous, people want to be around you. People will easily remember why they liked you.
Invite someone to coffee: Step away from your desk and get to know someone.
Send a thank you note: Yes, a handwritten one. Send one to the person who invited you to coffee at Starbucks. Let them know you enjoyed the conversation and mention a topic that was discussed. Express gratitude for the cup of coffee and that’s it. Stamp and mail it. This is what it is about….people skills.
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About Lisa Richey
I bet you know first-hand the issues that many companies are facing in the workplace. The lack of conversation skills, maybe an employee doesn’t understand they have a certain reputation and need guidance to tweak and change it, or employees are not living up to the stated dress code. You may have a strong desire for your staff to be “likeable “or want them to connect with the many generations that are your vendors, employees and clients.
HR professionals and sales organizations, contact me to speak on topics such as personal branding, how to build stronger and better relationships with clients and colleagues, ways to connect the multi-generations that make up the workforce and of course how to dine with ease and grace during a business meal.
From Portland, Oregon to the Middle East, I have delivered my popular programs to hospitals, financial firms, universities and management consulting companies. I have helped thousands of people to become more polished, professional and powerful.
My broad base of clients includes Deloitte, Ernest & Young, Siemens, Starz Channel and The Ministry of Bahrain. The audiences have ranged from a group of 12 up to 250. I am available for corporate in-house training or conferences.
