We all know that the pandemic didn’t do us any favors when it comes to trying to maintain relationships with colleagues or clients over the past couple of years.?Relationships degrade over time if not nurtured and with all this time apart, how do we get back in touch with someone without it feeling awkward or that we are only reaching out because we need something??If you are looking to reconnect with someone and have anxiety about doing it, here are a few tips to try.
- Use LinkedIn.?LinkedIn is one of the best networking tools around.?Look up their profile to find out what they have been doing over the past few years and send them a message via LinkedIn Messaging.?If you are not connected to them, search for their name and send a request to connect.?Also personalize that request to say something like – “It’s been too many years since we have connected.?I’d really enjoy catching up with you over lunch or coffee.” And if they are open to connecting, they will let you know.
- Send an Email.?The tone of the email should be warm, open, and friendly.?Again, acknowledge the lapse in time and keep your email short and inviting.?Possibly pique their interest so that they will respond to your message.?Say something like – “I know it’s been a while since we have touched base, but it would be great to catch up with you on the phone or in person.?You may be surprised to hear what I’ve been up to.”
- Pick Up the Phone.?Again, recognize that time has passed since the last time you two have spoken. You might say something like – “I know it’s been forever since we’ve talked but I’ve thought about you often and would really like to reconnect.”
- Explain Why the Contact Now.?If you have an agenda, try not to hide it.?If you need something, like information on a client or something about an upcoming project, be transparent about your motives on reaching out now.?And if you generally just want to reconnect, let them know that as well.
- ?Provide Something in Return.?If you are seeking information from the person you are reaching out to, try to reciprocate by suggesting ways that you may be able to help them.
- ?Schedule Quarterly Check Ins.?So that you don’t lose touch again, scheduling quarterly check-ins with this person. Having an alert set on your calendar will help you to remember to stay in touch.
There are many other ways that you can get back in touch or stay in touch with someone, but these can get you started. Just remember that a business relationship can give you some personal sense of fulfillment and joy and this can motivate you to develop even more relationships or re-establish those you left behind.
Now my ask for you. Please let the AEC community know the ways you have reconnected with colleagues and clients by commenting on this blog post.?Your tactics could provide additional information to others in our industry allowing them to use similar strategies to get back in touch - keeping our community strong, successful, and intact.?
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2 年This is such valuable information, thanks for sharing!
Director of Client Engagement at Design West Engineering I Past President & Director-at-Large at SMPS Inland Empire
2 年Thank you for the insight Maria Marzoeki, FSMPS, CPSM! This has been an interesting challenge, often feeling like we experienced a time warp where we skipped 2 years and are trying to figure out what we missed. This collective experience provides a great opportunity to "explain" the awkward absence, giving way to a renewed relationship moving forward. There's a sense of comradery that helps the conversation start even with some significant time that has passed.