The downside, of course, is telephone tag, and that s why email is such an efficient replacement. But you can build a stronger relationship with someone when you can hear each other s voices, so don t give up the phone entirely. While you may install all the gee-whiz gadgets you can think of, remember, people were communication with one another long before the first telephone was ever invented. So don t forget to have a sufficient amount of meeting. These can be as complicated as traveling across country to meet with a client, or as simple as topping by someone s desk to chat for a few minutes.
Face time is crucial.
Finally, in a world where everything is produced on a computer, you d be surprised at the strength of a hand-written note. I keep note cards handy to send hand-written thank you notes. After I ve met with new clients or contacts, or someone s done something nice for me, I drop them a line. In this day and age, a handwritten note sent through the old-fashioned mail has a quaint and reassuring feel to it. Sort of like baseball, Mom, and apple pie.