Just off a week out of the office and no surprise, there is plenty waiting for me to do upon return. At work, it's things left a week and a day ago unfinished, new things that have risen in my absence and the regular duties that come with the territory. I have to conquer a recent personnel move and push forward some ideas that need action or approval. Personally, I have tasks at home I want to accomplish and things that I need to do. Some of it is catching up on lingering goals and desires. I have two books queued up waiting to be read. Spring fertilizer just waiting to be spread. (Rhyme not by design) In all of this, a lesson. While away, I wasn't constantly attached to my usual repertoire of social tools. I could have been vigilant on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and SMS texting from out of state. With my email (which by some decree is now officially spelled "email" no longer "e-mail" according to the Associated Press Stylebook) left unchecked, I survived. And learned.
The recent trend and belief today is you HAVE to be all over your social media at all times. Instant contact with everyone and relentless updating is a must, right? I should always tend to Facebook and Twitter and commence live chatting at all hours via text messaging, yada yada yada. For customers, prospects, family and friends, there seems to be no better alternative than rapping out your sentiments via keyboard or smartphone. It is 2011 after all, and the trend of less real personal involvement is not shifting back to where it was several scant years ago. How many people come home after working all day to place themselves in front of Facebook? They spend the evening sifting through the daily postings of friends and acquaintances vs doing something constructive or interacting with family or those that share the household. I have tried both ways, certainly not reaching the codependent stage of Facebook reliance, but checking all forms of social media way more than they deserve to be referenced. I can see how some relish the popularity of it, "Look, I have a message" or, "Wow, someone agreed enough with how I think to click a LIKE button next to my message." I had to give it a rest and refocus this past week. I had to change and tune some of the social stuff out and invite back the real element of face-to-face engagement. For all it's worth, the social web cannot replace what I get out of being with and around people interchanging ideas and thoughts. My week away was proof.
Away from the normal routine and schedule, I was forced to be more of my old self, talking to people, thinking of new things, negotiating, strategizing. Yeah, this is me on vacation. How do I get the group to lean towards my choice for dinner? What time is best to meet up and begin a day's worth of activity? I went skiing, I was in the mountains, and there was still enough cell service that I could have tinkered and used the iPhone to get things accomplished in the whiz-bang social media way. I resisted this and I experimented with not keeping my phone on while among others. No texts, no email, no calls in or out. I relied on whatever skills and resources I would have employed years ago, before Twitter's visionaries were born. Eye contact, smiles, direct conversation, and use of body language was the craft. Sadly, like golf or other activities, you don't retain past proficiency without practice. You get rusty if you lie dormant. I did ok at first, and better as my week went on. I wanted to spring to the phone a few times but held back. I definitely needed to see this experiment through. I'd say the most common use of my phone for the duration of my time away was to refer to the clock, which I needed two time zones from home. I had a great week away because of this from several perspectives. Looking back, the detachment from most things web and re-engaging people was a highlight for me. I won't stop using text, Facebook or Twitter now that I'm back home. I'll give them more of a balance, realizing through this brief week of experience that I am best served with a strong combination of tools, online and in-person. Anything big I need to accomplish should be done myself - with my original five senses. I can and will use social networking to open doors, tickle interest and set a mood. I'll then carry on with the eyes, ears and voice that has gotten me here to Spring of 2011. It is a good plan.
All this had me thinking on the plane fight home. We have touted the benefits of social media for three or four years to a receptive audience of franchisees. It has proven to be a great addition to some of our franchisee's businesses. I can hope that those that have chosen to use Facebook, Twitter, etc. for business haven't swapped it out to replace real face-to-face marketing and networking methods. Facebook and Twitter work best when informing and interacting with existing clients. It shows you're up with the latest means of marketing and customer service. These sites, used properly, bare the soul and personality of your business unlike any marketing brochures could. Social media is well suited for this purpose. It is not meant or to be used as a replacement for meeting people in person and selling yourself or your products. Don't allow the ease at which the new media lets you communicate with the outside world from your desk, your tablet or phone thwart your use of the best social tool going. It's you, and it always has been. Keep your real social skills sharp!