Making connections…the old-fashioned way

by: Ellen Gardner

The one sure way I know it’s summer is the roads. People are on vacation and although traffic in Toronto never seems to get much lighter, I do notice an easing up.

As a frequent commuter, I’m a traffic-watcher and have devised various tricks and strategies for beating the rush. Like all good strategies, they’re prone to failure but one of my new techniques is to get on the road later and then stay a few extra hours in the office. I usually end up working an even longer day since I start working before I leave home in the morning and often don’t leave the office until after 8, but if I can avoid the commuter crunch, I feel like a hero!

Career success, like commuting strategies, sometimes means stepping away from the pack. This isn’t always easy, especially since we’re conditioned from birth to follow a traditional path. Get the job, marry the right person, have a couple of kids and save prodigiously for retirement. Hats off if that strategy is working for you, however, for most of us regular folks there is more than one pothole, flat tire and speed trap that trips us up along the way.

I’ve learned that doing things differently take guts but in these competitive times is not just wise, it’s essential. While everyone else is glued to their iPhone, checking out a new app, and experimenting with the latest digital tools, I’m making connections the old-fashioned way. I’m not knocking our wild and eclectic electronic age – no question it’s made our lives easier and more interesting – but in the process of building your network, both online and in the real world, some tried and true tactics can still put you at the front of the line.

If you’re job-hunting, these should not be lazy, hazy days for you. People are in the summer frame of mind, which means they’re more relaxed, and more likely to sit down for a casual conversation over coffee or lunch. Even if their minds are drifting off to the cottage on the bay, this is a great time to meet with prospective employers. Getting that meeting can be a challenge, but here are some ideas for reaching out in ways that to our parents and grandparents were second nature:

1. Pick up the phone. I read recently that if pictures are worth a thousand words, phone calls are worth a hundred, even if left on voice mail. A phone call sends a clear message about your true interest in that person or organization. If you can speak over the phone, you have a much greater opportunity to present your real personality. Make it a point, after sending a letter or email to a client or prospect, to pick up the phone and try and speak voice-to-voice.
   
   
2. Do it with pen and paper. When I was starting my business, I sent prospect letters in the mail, and was amazed at the positive responses I received. A personal note is a wonderful way to introduce yourself, ask someone to lunch, offer congratulations or say thank you. Create a nice letterhead for yourself, look up the person`s mailing address, write the note, put it in an envelope and drop it in the mailbox (when I say writing, I usually mean on the computer since my handwriting is illegible – if your handwriting is good, go for it).
   
   
3. Take someone to lunch. As work pressures ease up a bit, summer is a wonderful time to connect over lunch with old friends, associates and potential employers. It`s tough to pull yourself away from the computer, but taking someone to lunch can reinforce an existing relationship and create the foundation for a new one. A face-to-face meeting also reinforces the fact that you`re people with interests and personal lives. And if you`ve made the approach, don`t forget to pick up the tab.
   
   
4. Send a gift or token of appreciation. After a successful meeting with someone or to thank them for doing business with me, I often send a small token in the mail – something small but useful, like a gift certificate to a bookstore or restaurant; Tim Hortons` gift certificates are always appreciated. Whatever it is, make sure the gift reflects the interests of the receiver.

The common element of all these interactions is that they involve reaching out in a personal way. The working and personal relationships in our lives need nurturing and require more than electronic-only communication. Email, texting and social media are not going away, but don`t write off the value of reinforcing your connection by phoning, writing or getting together in person. In these times, you can be sure that this small gesture will be noticed and remembered.

Posted in: Career