Lots of people are considering chat, webinar and other technical methods of communication, compared to sitting down with people.

In-person connection will always be better. If you can meet together relatively easily. From coffee shops to international conferences, people do connect better in person.

• ​You can read each other’s body language. That unspoken communication is actually more important in the early stages than the content.
• ​Handshakes and other brief touches do connect 2 people quickly. We still do it because it fosters trust.

Connect Humanly First

​It’s simply more personal in person. Of course, if your new contact is distant, then you need to balance the potential long term value compared to travel costs.

​Big business research has found that travel does payoff for high value deals. It is an investment that pays off.

Relationship Stages

​Use both in-person and technology. In the early stages of a business relationship, make the connection face-to-face if possible. The technology-supported content conversations can come later, after the connection has been started by looking each other in the eye.

When you do use remote meeting technology, make sure each of the participants has enough bandwidth for high quality video, and you are comfortable with the operation. Do a little practice so there is no fumbling, lighting is good, audio is clear, background isn’t cluttered and you are reasonably positioned on the other person’s screen.