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I recently heard the following comment about “improving” customer interaction and relationships “well it has worked for 25+ years, it should work the same way today. ” “Why change it?” This got me to thinking, some things may work the same as 25 years ago (toilets, sinks and other household items) but what about communication and interaction with people? Think about the following;
- 25 years ago the best way to apply for a job: send a resume via mail for .12 cents and wait… Today, email or upload to a site for free…… and then wait!
- 15 years ago the best way to communicate with your distant loved ones was get a cheap calling card (love it when you missed a digit and had to re-enter the 16 digit code) or wait till after 10:00 for the cheapest rates…. Today, VOIP or Google Chat with whomever, whenever, wherever free!
- 10 years ago if you had an out-of-state/country friend, you may see/speak with them 1x per year (or less)…. Today, Skype, Facebook Video Chat or Google Hangout with them anytime of the day/night for free!
- 5 years ago, you had long lost touch with your classmates from the class of 90’… Today, you have a Facebook group with ability to video chat and watch their children grow up in daily status updates!
So how does this apply to work relationships? If your job is dealing with people, certainly it involves several generations. Will the techniques of 25 years ago work today? Of course not! However let’s not take away from the core principle: Building Relationships!
Take a chance and Skype with a customer sometime, invite a friend or co-worker to join your tribe on Facebook or LinkedIn, start a Google Hangout about a specific topic or interest. Don’t forget, it is possible to build a relationship in 140 character or less, Twitter Scouts Honor!
Thank you Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Niklas Zennström (Skype), Jack Dorsey (Twitter), Larry Page and Sergey Brin (Google) and Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn) for not doing things the same way and improving our relationship building! I reach more people today, in less time, for less money!
Now time to remove those incriminating Class of 1990 “Party Like It’s 1999” prom pictures when Prince ruled the airwaves, cassette tapes got stuck, MC Hammer pants were awesome and Mississippi Mudflaps (aka a mullet) ruled! Now that is change worth skyping about!
