We are so ‘connected’, we are disconnected.

What does it mean to be truly connected?

I understand that technology is a part of our lives but there’s a disturbing trend that has been building over the years  – there are way too many people who ‘live’ in front of their monitors and phones with low or no live interaction. Is this you?

Have we become so obsessed with the BSO’s of technology that we’ve forgotten how to have a conversation? Are we so dependent on our online analytics to tell us how our friends like our latest vacation or birthday, or what our customers ‘seem’ to want rather than a bit of one-on-one time and actually asking them?

How is it that we’ve traded having family or friends over for dinner for 10 minutes and a cup of coffee while we peruse their facebook photos? Wouldn’t it be more gratifying and fulfilling to actually attend your nephew’s concert than just see the YouTube video? And before everyone get their shorts tied in a knot – OBVIOUSLY if you are miles away, YouTube is much more preferable than not seeing it at all.

I just wonder if our relationships would benefit from hearing each other’s voices, meeting face to face and actually being present every now and again?

And on the business side –  my pet peeve … the automated customer service call center.  Excuse me?!  For some reason, that voice sounds so condescending when it doesn’t (won’t?) recognize your request and you have to go through a bazillion options only to be told after 15 minutes that there is no one available to assist you and now you have to hold.  Or better yet, our government call centre won’t let you hold, it kicks you out of the system AFTER you’ve gone through those bazillion options. Really? That’s customer service?

Telus, FedEx, you are on my radar!

Somewhere along the line it has became acceptable to automate the customer experience to the point of mind numbing, waste of time, anger inducing interactions.  Can I speak with a human please?

For those of you who have taken my workshops or heard me speak, you know that I am all about human interaction, relationship building and the personal touch.

Do you want to stand out from your competitors? Pick up the phone, send a note card, have coffee or tea (with a ‘mar’ in the front and a ‘ni’ at the end *smile*)  . . . in person. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it takes effort, but aren’t your clients worth it?

Like you, clients, friends, family . . . they all want to be recognized and appreciated.

And the final word . . .

Now Go Get TRULY Connected!

About Cathy Kuzel
With 25+ years of experience as a successful Entrepreneur and Business Consultant, Cathy teaches entrepreneurs how to let go of limiting beliefs and “Stand Up & Stand Out” to have the success they dream of. Cathy is recognized across Canada for her expertise on “All Things Small Biz”. Named one of the Top Ten Mentors in Canada, Cathy is the Founder of The Connected Woman Association, Author of “Are You a Collector or a Connector?”; “I’m on the Phone!”; the internationally known “Daily Espressos” and is a networking maven.