Use Technology To Improve Your Relationships
When people say that technology is getting in the way of relationships, I'm the first to shout out in disagreement. I think technology can continually bring us closer together -- if we use it correctly. Here are five tips for using technology to improve your personal and business relationships:
Use Social Networking Sites
Personal: We all know our friendships are precious, but realistically we don't have time to go out for lunch with all of our friends. With sites like Facebook we can truly stay connected with friends from all over the world.
Business: Building strong connections is becoming even more important in business. If you use social networking sites such as Facebook in a respectable and professional manner, you can dramatically improve your business relationships and extend your sphere of influence.
Use Photo and Video Sharing Sites
Personal: Capturing and sharing photos of our families brings such joy and helps everyone cherish the moments of our lives. Online photo and video sharing sites make it possible for relatives all over the world to share the excitement of watching our families grow. We've actually even created a new video conversation site called Say It Face To Face to help people connect and talk about topics they care about.
Business: People like to do business with people they know. Using photo and video sharing sites helps people get to know you as a person.
Blog and Comment on other Blogs
Personal: When you build relationships through blogs you often can connect quickly and deeply with people in similar situations. You can chat with another mom at the playground all year long and never know that you both suffered miscarriages in your fifth month. But if you were reading each others' blogs, you'd know and help each other heal.
Business: Reading and commenting on the blogs of your business contacts can help you strengthen your bond and keep you within close reach. People appreciate comments and interaction on their blogs, and likely the favor will be returned.
Use a Mobile Phones with Email Capabilities
Personal: Stay in touch with your kids and your spouse. Especially if you have teenagers, learn to text and speak their language.
Business: Staying connected with clients and your office staff or coworkers is critical. If you're a mom and you have to run out to take your child to the dentist, being able to text, email or take a quick phone call can make the difference between keeping or losing a client.
Tweetups and Conferences
Personal: Meeting your online friends in person is the ultimate reward for time spent online. Tweetups and conferences with your online friends are a fantastic way to strengthen friendships.
Business: Using Twitter to meet new business contacts and then attend tweetups or industry related conferences is a perfect way to expand your business connections.
Follow those five steps and use technology productively to strengthen your personal and business relationships.
