Where's your heart? Where's your Business?

Apparently, more than ever, people are wanting to connect with each other.

Apparently, technology is facilitating the connection.

Apparently, we're still doing business with people.

Apparently, money isn't greasing all customer wheels.

I had a wonderful, direct, conversation yesterday with Lewis Green, author of How to Grow a Business by Putting People First yesterday afternoon. Mr. Green believes in heart for both customer and company and gives those listening or reading a formula to keep things realistic.

In our discussion, we both agreed that if there is no relationship, or personal tie all we were talking about was products and services (widgets) and our decision making would be price based. If we have experienced something, created a relationship, trusted information, or received a referral, it was about "the next sale" and then price was not the major factor, the company was. (Company being either a business entity or the people surrounding the transaction)

This is not new. The question for me is how do I support businesses in realtionship (not a typo);

1. understanding the effect relationship building can have on their business
2. give them something relate-able from micro-business, small business, big business
3. assist them in overcoming the "what's the cost" concern.

Larger companies are hesitant to expose their heart (with the exception of the few mentioned in Mr. Green's book). Just as they are reluctant to rev-up the engines of social media. Smaller companies or micro-companies have the ability to turn quicker, adjust, accommodate feedback, without need to accumulate approvals from various departments. They just don't have the resources (people, time, money) to do it.

Here we are, back at the beginning. So where does Real and Relationship meet for my customers? There are no quick and easy answers or blanket solutions. What's your mix of heart and business; what's your Realtionship Status?

Nimbly,
JCM