Slow Down To Be In The "Right Now" in Business Encounters

From Ron Sukenick

Going beyond traditional networking to the kind of interactions that start relationships takes a lot. Thing is, though, a lot all at one time won't do the trick. As I teach in my business coaching and in my Relationship Strategies courses, the purpose for setting a system in place is so you can make a habit of doing a lot of little things. Whatever business you're in, you do business with other people. And, just as the Kitty Kallen song says, and as I've pointed out before in my Beyond Networking blogs, when you're dealing with people, little things mean a lot.

As a business coach, I know business is constantly changing. I make an effort, no matter where I am and no matter what I'm reading, to pick up ideas on making relationships better. A couple of Sunday's ago, A "Cathy" comic strip reminded me of one of the saddest aspects of interaction that I see, which is being in too much of a hurry in our encounters with others.

Cathy and Irving have been visiting Cathy's parents for the holidays, and now it's time for them to leave. Cathy's mom says, "You're leaving so soon? Here, take the lists of things we didn't have a chance to do. Take the clippings of all the special places we ran out of time to visit, the family videos we didn't have a chance to watch." The visit had gone by and somehow these meaningful little things hadn't gotten done.

Every time we attend a networking meeting, every time we encounter a colleague or a customer, we're given a little "slice" of a chance to go beyond an encounter and create a relationship. Too often, though, we rush past these opportunities. We talk a little, we listen a little, we exchange business cards or even leads. But somehow, we don't take enough time or pay enough attention, and all of sudden, the opportunity to truly connect has slipped away. You leave the networking meeting with a little bit of an empty feeling. You worked at networking, but, somehow, networking didn't work for you!

Next time, don't hurry by a precious opportunity to connect. Be "in the now" and get it right with the person who is there with you right now!