Staying connected from a distance - and free during COVID-19

Starting today I've decided to give up all new revenue during the coronavirus crisis.

As of today we're offering UpHabit Unlimited accounts free of charge for 90 days so everyone can use UpHabit in its entirety. We've got one-tap export of all data. Cancel before the trial is over and don't pay us a thing. More people are going to be looking for jobs and UpHabit's great at that. UpHabit's also great at just plain staying in touch.

The virus has caused us all to wrap our heads around some big changes in our lives. Just last week I sat a few feet away from the UpHabit team and took for granted the easy conversations we had across the room and over my mugs of tea. When I wasn’t with the team I was hopping from plane to plane meeting with prospects, investors, and advisors, making new connections and solidifying existing ones. Now it's self-isolating, social distancing and permanent work from home.

Suddenly, I’m trying to figure out how to make the same impact without the physical touch-points.

Process and technology 

While it may sound counterintuitive, I’ve noticed that the more we're forced to divert from our normal patterns, the more we revert to our natural inclinations. As an engineer, that means I turn to process and to technology.

Instead of bumping into each of my employees a few times a day, I now have to schedule ad hoc and daily check-ins. Instead of meeting investors and advisors in board rooms, we’re convening for video calls. Instead of connecting with old colleagues at social gatherings, I’ve been staying in touch by email. 

Bridging the gap 

For many people, the hardest thing about ‘social distancing’ has been—to put it simply—the social distance. There is a separation from co-workers and others we're used to interacting with every day. We’re no longer meeting-and-greeting at conferences, classes, or other ‘extracurriculars.’ It's also harder to communicate with people we talk to less frequently because it's not business as usual.

In this regard, at least, I’ve been fortunate. While my day-to-day has changed in many ways, I was already leaning heavily on technology to build and maintain relationships and so I haven’t felt the interpersonal disconnection that so many others are struggling with.

There’s an app for that 

For those of you who don’t know, I launched a personal CRM app (called UpHabit) a little over a year ago. While most of the behemoth CRM systems we've become accustomed to are intended for corporations to manage deals, UpHabit is more like a great personal assistant. It keeps track of details, prompts you to follow up, and helps you keep the momentum going.

As we navigate this unfamiliar terrain, UpHabit has removed a lot of the struggle around adjusting to a remote reality and I figured that if it helps me, it might help you too. It's now free for 90 days.

Stay safe and stay connected. After all, we’re in this together.

P.S. If this nasty virus goes on longer than we think and you still need us free, just let us know and we'll take care of you.