Late last year I spoke at a luncheon on the pool deck of the Hilton Hotel in Brisbane. During my brief address, I commented that technology, which was designed to assist our poductivity, is actually hindering our effectiveness to do smart business.

I explained that while clients attempting to arrange a meeting with me will be tapping away for minutes on their Raspberries searching for the calendar functions; the yearly planner of my Filofax is open at the ready, instantly.

Afterwards, a nebbish individual approaches me and interrupts a private conversation (showing no manners). Holding her business card in the tips of her fingers, she proceeds to wave it in my face but pulls it away as I reach to accept it.

"You need to learn how to use your technology better to improve your business, I can teach you ... yada yada." I am no longer interested in her business card, as she thrusts it into my palm.

My conversation partner chortles as I rip the card and discard it.

Nesbitt was right when he wrote: "High tech ... high touch!" The more technology becomes a part of our lives the more we need to reach out and touch people to build positive, caring and worthwhile relationships. Interrupting a private conversation to tell me my business needs improving is not going to help you build a relationship with me.

Ric Willmot
Strategist to the Professions
www.ExecutiveWisdom.com
www.RicWillmot.com