A Real Connection
by Sue Graber
Relationships are what matter most — not only in our personal life, but in every business. If we don't have a real connection to others in a way that shows our willingness to serve and encourage them – if it's all superficial — then we really haven't figured out what is really important in our lives.
We all have a desire for REAL connections that keep us tuned in not only to our family and friends, but to our clients in the business world, whether off line or online . Choosing someone to do business with is similar to when you go shopping for a new home. You might drive up to a spectacular looking home, but once you get inside you begin to see a lot of flaws that truly you aren't comfortable with. Maybe the carpeting is outdated, the plumbing is outdated, and the whole layout of the house just isn't what you expected. The outside seemed fine, but inside something is "wrong" or something is missing.
The same thing can happen in a business relationship. From outside appearances, the person you are working with APPEARS to be everything you're looking for, but as you get to know him or her a little better, you realize that there is "no real connection" going on. They simply cannot relate to you. The real connection you have with someone in a relationship stems from the "inside."
Normally, that connection happens because the person you are looking for has these inner characteristics that are important to you — integrity, dependability, the willingness to serve you.
During the past year, I have to say that I have "connected" with some pretty exceptional business people. Right now I am learning from one of the best teachers of Social Media, Kim Garst. By joining her Inner Circle, I have surrounded myself with individuals who possess all of the "ingredients" I mentioned – which adds up to great Customer Service. They are AMAZING people who are interested in their clients and customers in a very genuine way. I am proud and thankful to be associated with them and am learning so much.
Customer service in any business will either make or break your business whether it's online or offline. Serving others is what it's all about —- when we truly reach out and make a difference by figuring out what the other person needs, and then doing our part to serve others; this is connecting from the inside.
How are you doing in the area of "connecting" with others? Stop on over to my Facebook wall and share what works for you in staying connected!
Sue Graber has been happily married for 35 years, raising 3 daughters while working creatively from home as an administrative assistant and a fund-raising specialist. She loves reaching out to others in kindness and is on a mission. She has an amazing ability to teach others how to build and nurture relationships, spend quality time with their families while generating income from home with a greeting card and gifting business. Sue is passionate about showing others how they, too, can make a difference every single day!
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow…great exploration of how appreciation deepens connection. I love how your friendly, kind and bubbly personality come through in your writing
And the ‘call to action’–encouraging us to appreciate someone–just the reminder I needed today.
Thank you for such inspiration and motivation, Sue!
Hey Elise…thank you for commenting and for your kind words! Being connected is a great thing…and sometimes just a little appreciation helps us move towards a better connection! Appreciate your inspiration as well!
Serving others is what it is all about! Sue, I so appreciate you and the inspiration that you provide. I am glad that we are connected on the web and hope someday to meet you in real life! : D
Thanks Sherie! You’re so right… What a privilege to be able to serve others; I am looking forward to the day when I can give you a hug in person as well!! So glad we’ve become friends here!
I am so happy I know you Sue; we connected online and we both have the same coach and know the same people. Such a treasure
So blessed to have you for a friend, Olga, too – I never in a million years would have imagined the special friendships found here in Social Media, and specifically in Kim’s Inner Circle.! A big treasure indeed!
I feel very blessed to have made some amazing connections (and you are one!)…and the icing on the cake is getting to meet them in person! Great article!
Thanks Denny! I’m so glad we got to meet in person, too, and already excited about the next get-together! So appreciate you & what you do to inspire parents/grandparents to be the best they can be to make a difference in the lives of our precious children! How great that Social Media has allowed us to have this special connection.
I too feel blessed for my incredible connections and that includes YOU Sue! It is so warming and comforting to have like friends all over the world.
You are so right Suzanne!!! And the nice thing is if you can’t sleep at night and need a friend or virtual hug, there’s probably someone online available to connect with!!! Friends all over the world — who would have known? I love my Social Media friends!!!
Yeah that is so true…the virtual hug because somewhere, someone is awake when we should be sleeping!!
I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing people through social media and I am blessed. Thank you for sharing the value an importance of connections !
Social Media definitely allows us to connect in a “real & genuine” way with people from all over the world. It’s definitely been the highlight of coming online with a business! So glad we got to meet this fall and looking forward to next time!!
I had the opposite happen. I went into business with my best friend, and then things got really tough. Luckily the operating agreement made it nearly impossible to go our separate ways. We stuck it out, moved past the bad time, and grew, and are still best friends. As you point out, the essential elements that kept us together were ‘integrity, dependability, and a willingness to serve’ each other. Great insights!
Great testimonial Julie about having that “servant” heart. You can’t go wrong when you choose integrity which allows you to get past the tough stuff sometimes and be blessed in the end. So glad things worked out and that you were committed and willing to see it through! Thanks for sharing that!
Sue I am so glad we have “connected”. You are truly delightful to know.
I love your beautiful heart! I particularly loved this, ” Relationships are what matter most — not only in our personal life, but in every business.” It is so true. Thanks
Thanks, Susan! I appreciate all I have learned from you my friend! You are a relationship queen!
Great post Sue! Making connections is important and in the business relationship doing it through customer service really amps it up.
So blessed to have found Kim’s inner circle and you wonderful ladies! Relationships in life are important— and in business as well—- but sometimes you just need that big group hug that online groups can give you!
You’re so right Heather!!! Virtual hugs are almost as good as real ones when you form such special relationships!
Sue, you are wonderful! And yes, relationship, that personal connection is so key to success for all involved! Great article!
Great insights Sue! Real connections are also serving other peoples through the relationship we have with them. I’m grateful for the amazing connection that I have with others, including YOU, who believe in a greater sense of purpose! =)