How many times have you said, “what a small world”? For the last three years I have been corresponding with a business colleague in Australia via SKYPE. At least weekly we have been talking. Sometimes with the video camera on and sometimes with it off. As you can image the time change has caused us to have conversations at unsightly hours for one of us. However, on the rare occasions when we were able to hit it just right we allowed the cameras to be on.
If you have ever used SKYPE then you know that the camera provides a good view of not only you but of the things around you. We found that we had similar books on our bookshelf as well as going to the same coaching academy and having our certificates hanging on the wall. Each of us have them hanging to the sides of our desks.
After three years of conversations and getting to know each other both professionally and personally it was no surprise that I was able to pick her out in a group in a hotel lobby. I walked right up to her and without introduction, she knew exactly that it was me.
We spent the day talking business without the awkwardness of getting to know each other. We could have been office buddies for the way we were able to get right down to business. The other wonderful part of this meeting was the cultural aspect. I never knew what “I have to spend a penny” meant. It means using the bathroom.
I am taking my colleague and friend around Hollywood and Beverly Hills today before she continues on the New York. I can’t wait to share and have been told I have an open invitation to Australia which I know I will be taking her up on in the future.
If you have not brought technology into your company I would highly suggest that you do. It is not expensive to add a video cam to your computer and SKYPE is free. If your best client or customer does not have a video cam, why not buy one for them? The holidays are approaching and what better way to invest in your future business goals than to see your clients face to face.
