Facebook or Face Time?

A number of journalists are mixing the words "Facebook" and "Face Time" in the titles of articles, trying to examine the transition from BI (before internet) to AI (after internet). In a world which is undeniably going digital, are we losing our motivation - and our ability - to interact in person? And is that a bad thing?

Did you know that, according to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, the first public usage of the phrase "face time" was in 1978? The dictionary's first definition of the phrase is "the amount of time one spends appearing on television", which probably means that "face time" was used by an entertainment reporter to describe someone who was really trying harder than most to use TV to promote themselves.

The other two definitions are "time spent in a face-to-face meeting with someone" and "time spent at one's place of employment esp. beyond normal work hours." Simply put, face time is the original way to communicate and build relationships.

Now, I'm not saying that you should ditch your BlackBerry or inactivate your Facebook profile. Not at all, Facebook is an important part of your marketing strategy, but there are certain situations that call for a more personal touch than you'll get in Facebook. There are some ways of doing business that don't change with the times, especially if your business is service-related. I have three examples for you.

Introductions

One of them is simply saying, "Hello!" When you get a new client, take the time for a face-to-face meeting as part of your marketing strategy. Even if all you're doing is introducing yourself, that client will be more likely to remember you. The best introduction will also include a discussion of what the client needs and what you're going to do about that. A face-to-face meeting will ensure that any necessary dialogue happens immediately, complete with eye contact, friendly body language and a handshake at the end of the conversation. It shows the client that you are serious about a business relationship.

Negotiations

Another critical opportunity for face time is negotiation. Again, this is a time when immediate dialogue is key to success. You need the opportunity to watch the other person's physical reaction to your offer as well as their verbal reaction. Body language can say a lot, and in negotiations, it can tell you if your client or vendor is responsive, hesitant, or offended when they don't quite know what to say. Face time helps you adjust your approach to the situation in real time, when it is needed.

Employees

My third suggestion is to give your employees face time as well. Everyone knows that it is considered bad business to hire or fire someone through e-mail. Not everyone knows that the same is true for motivation and organizational change. You may be surprised at how much employee loyalty increases when you communicate in person about performance, praise, and problems.

What do you do if you have a virtual business and your clients are not in your area? Thanks to the internet, there are solutions that promote face time without having to meet in person. The telephone is still a good option for personal communication, but digital technology can give you the next best thing to a real meeting.

Video conferencing is the new wave of long-distance face time. All you need is your computer with speakers, a webcam, a microphone, an internet connection (preferably broadband), and the right software. Set it up correctly, and you can see the people you're talking to right on your computer monitor, and they can see you on theirs. You can do just about everything that you can do at a personal meeting except shake their hand and give them a cup of coffee.

No matter how you decide to use face time, your best bet is to be able to smile and let people see your positive attitude when you first meet them or find that win-win solution. You want those people to remember your smile and your positive attitude when others ask them for recommendations. Those gestures say "I care about doing business with you" better than any e-mail or text message ever could.

by Steven Schlagel - August 24, 2009

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