Thanks to technology, we can do business across the world and always feel 100% connected. Video conference calls, computer sharing technology for presentations, inexpensive international calling, even GTalk & Skype which can connect you for free…

As helpful as these technologies are, I believe they are doing some damage in the world of business as well. How?

They’re helping eliminate the most important element of human interaction - a “face to face” relationship.

Nothing, not even free video conferencing, can replace the value of a physical hand-shake, a beer or a good smile.

As you know, I’m currently traveling internationally to my secret “bat cave” location where we have an entire development team, customer support team and now even a team doing all of our U.I. design.

As I write this, I’m waiting to have a day long “face to face” meeting with our new designer. He also has traveled quite a distance to be here just for the weekend for this meeting.

So, why are we meeting?

- Do I need to be here to review design? Absolutely not.
- Do I need to be here to sign a contract? Certainly not.
- Talk about a future project? Nope.

I’m only here so I can get to know him better and he can do the same. And, in all honesty, he’s a pretty smart and fun person (we share the same zest for entrepreneurship, so I think this meeting will just be a good time).

I’m only here to meet him, to shake his hand and tell him in person how much we really appreciate what he’s doing for us.

What will this do for us?

I’m not sure, I don’t really have any expectations (his work is already kick-butt). But…

Once you meet someone, once you REALLY get to know them, it’s only human nature for both sides to give each other that much more importance.

After our meeting, after we become friends, do you think even a cheaper quote from another designer would “wooo” me away? Heck no.

The other side of the scope, do you think another client would be able to pay the designer a bit more and get higher up on the priority list? Probably not…but I can’t speak for others (however my experience tells me that it would not).

Tomorrow (from the day I write this), I’m jumping on a 1 hour flight to visit another office where we have a team working on our customer support and site maintenance . They’ve been with us for over a year now and I’ve never met the entire team. So, do I really *need* to go? No, I have no doubt the work will continue to be as good as it is if I don’t go.

I’m actually even taking another team member from the current office I am at so that our two teams can themselves develop a relationship.

The moral of this story? I’m sure you are outsourcing some work outside of the country (in today’s market you almost have to). Put some importance on a personal relationship - hop on a plane and go spend some time with the person/team.

It may not pay off in “numbers” directly on your accounting right away, but trust me it will pay off 10 times what it costs in your overall business development.

Another side tip: Make sure to promote relationships intra-team members too. Don’t be selfish and just go yourself, take others.

Build a family, don’t just build work.

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