Having just returned from Sibos I am reminded that sometimes, however alluring the alternative, there really is no substitute for just getting out there and talking to people. Whether it be customers, journalists, analysts or random introductions. In this increasingly virtual world, sometimes a little face time with a real human being is worth a million pokes, nudges and emails.
As a primary carer with a mild disdain for playing to the PR stereotype, I’m more likely to be found curled up with a good spreadsheet than, ‘doing lunch’. But in just one week of camping out in Vienna, and yes visiting a few bars, I got to know my customers inside out, met their customers, caught up with the broad community of influencers at large, and engaged in some genuinely interesting dialogue with people that I would just not have met otherwise.
In a business world that’s looking ever more creaky, it’s good to you know you have real friends out there.
Despite the success of my face time initiatives, the traditional one-to-one briefing seems to hold less appeal for an ex-boyfriend. He’s just announced to all his intention to be re-marry via Facebook (so little time, so many ex-girlfriends?) Of course, my natural grace and good breeding doesn’t permit me to publish a link to his home page right here… but under the circumstances, I thought just a passing mention wouldn’t go amiss.
Social media – there’s a time and a place.