In my experience, the key to staying connected with important contacts during hectic times is to treat those relationships as a top priority. I've found that blocking off dedicated time on my calendar for reaching out, even if it's just a quick phone call or a thoughtful email, ensures that I maintain those vital touchpoints. It's not about the length of the interaction, but rather the quality of the connection. Even LinkedIn is great to be in touch. I run a group which has almost 140,000 professionals from my sector. This helps being in touch.

This is about how you truly care for others. It even goes beyond your close connections or contacts alone. If you're a Leader in any organization or in your family or as a business owner, you must find means of communicating with everyone important to you. Part of the ways I keep in touch is to: Compose a PERSONALIZED message and send it to them on Whatsapp or email to check up on them and then start an open conversation from there. But... Sometimes, I initiate a voice call to their line at a time I know they would be at home and back from work to check up on them. For clients, I send an email that is not just about sales but to ask of them and see how they are doing. They appreciate this a lot. You can also create a list for them.

"Stronger relationships are a product of consistency, not convenience." What worked for me: Schedule routine check-ins, where even on busy days, I was able to conduct at least a short call or send some quick word updates to important contacts to keep the relationship alive. Provide value up front: I would send through insights, opportunities, or introductions that would help their business-so our dialogue had substance. Use Technology: I used the CRM systems to track who's at what stage and followed up on any important milestones, making sure no relationship falls between the cracks. Getting intentional allowed me to keep my network active, even when life started getting crazy.

To keep your key contacts close during a busy period, prioritize regular communication by scheduling brief check-ins or updates through calls, emails, or messages, ensuring you show genuine interest in their needs and insights. Utilize automation tools to maintain personalized outreach while managing your time effectively, and consider organizing informal gatherings or networking events, both online and offline, to deepen relationships. Lastly, acknowledge their contributions and share your successes, fostering a sense of partnership amidst the hustle.

Treat relationships like investments, not transactions. It’s tempting to think you can "manage" contacts during busy periods, but that's just surface-level. The truth is, quality beats quantity. Richard Branson didn’t build Virgin by setting up a million touchpoints—he cultivated deep, meaningful relationships with key people. Instead of relying on automation, focus on sending fewer but more personalized and impactful messages. A well-timed thoughtful gesture will always outshine a routine check-in. Busy or not, genuine care makes your network invaluable.