Getting back to normal

As humans we are sociable beasts, we need people around us. We need to talk, communicate and meet up in person where we can clock people’s body language and not wait for any technology delays or glitches which might interfere with any conversations.

Build relationships

Face-to- face meetings, or networking, are powerful tools available for increasing your personal exposure, creating meaningful relationships, and providing growth and development opportunities both on a personal and professional level. Whilst Zoom/Teams etc. have served a purpose and will undoubtably continue to be popular, at Alsters Kelley Solicitors we have relished getting back to meeting people in person. This is so we can continue to build relationships with prospective clients, clients, suppliers and other useful business contacts.

Meeting someone face-to-face takes our working relationships to the next level. Put simply it allows us to connect in a way that is more effective than from a distance. Meeting a lawyer for the first time can be intimidating, daunting, emotional or difficult, but when you are face-to- face and you can listen, understand, relate to their predicament and offer help and advice everything becomes easier. This enables a trusted relationship to develop and progress quicker than just over the phone or using video technology.

Energy and enthusiasm

Chatting to people face to face is also better for bouncing ideas back and forth, not to mention noticing someone’s buy in, natural energy and enthusiasm. They are also more efficient when it comes to building rapport, accurately gauging the other person’s mood, and hesitations, putting people at ease, gaining their trust and keeping their attention. And whilst for some meetings and events there are still social distancing restrictions, occasional mask wearing and the presence of sanitising stations, these need not impinge on your ability to get the best out of these interactions.

Of course, there may be challenges around reassurance, anxiety and gaining people’s trust so they can see you are doing the right thing. That’s why we:

• Communicate in advance
• Tell people what to expect
• Offer different options/choices
• Use relaxed body language
• Appreciate that not everyone will want to shake hands or get too close

Take it at your own speed

But if there is reluctance, we believe it’s important to get feedback – ask their opinion and gauge how safe they feel. After all, we all want to have interesting, engaging and successful communications. The same is true when it comes to networking. We’ve started to get out and about again; reconnecting with networking groups and attending events where we have enjoyed meeting up with new and existing contacts again. Our advice is to embrace the difference – it’s not the same as before – nurture the opportunities, check in regularly with your clients and keep a close eye on the results.