07.03.09
using your reading pile to stay in touch
While sitting on the plane reading a stack of publications yesterday, I was reminded of a simple but very useful business development technique i.e. before you sit down with a pile of reading (or a batch of e-communications that need to be cleared out of your inbox) remind yourself to think about contacts who might benefit from a copy of what you read.
With this mindset you will be able to identify opportunities to provide your contacts with information of value while at the same time providing yourself with a legitimate reason to stay in touch.
Every time you read information that would be helpful or of interest to a contact, take a minute or two to write a quick note letting your contact know that you are thinking of them and that you thought the information would be of interest. Then send it to them. It’s as easy as that.
Be certain to apply the Golden Rule, though. Only send information that truly has potential value to the recipient. We all have too much to read and not enough hours in the day to read it all. Yet, therein lays the opportunity. When you take action to be helpful to your contacts by sharing useful information, you leave a positive impression.
So, the next time you tackle your reading pile, do it with a mindset that will benefit others and support your business development goals at the same time.
