In a digital age have we forgotten the basic elements of human connection in business?

At a time in history when we have a plethora of communication options at our fingertips, why are the polite and respectful elements of business drying up like a crusty glob of mayonnaise left on the counter?

Constantly rescheduled meetings, completely missed meetings with no explanation, texting while in a meeting, the need to constantly check a phone or mobile device in the middle of a conversation or meeting, consistently showing up late… the list goes on.

Have we forgotten social graces, or are they slowly evolving out of traditional business interaction in the digital age?

Its Pretty Simple, Stupid

When you make plans. Keep them. If you cannot, let someone know, much more than five minutes before you are supposed to show up. Considering we have several ways to communicate that have evolved way beyond  the carrier pigeon, there are really no acceptable excuses. In fact, you look like more of an ass given just how many options you can use, including Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, text message and even phone…remember that one?

A doctor charges you for missing an appointment without giving 24 hours notice, so why should inter-business meetings be any different? You are wasting people’s time, and that translates into money lost in any business. You also piss people off who tell other people about their experience.

Make a Decision and Stick to It

People who constantly change meetings look flaky and undependable. Same goes for the people who consistently request you send them multiple dates that you are free, only to tell you none of them will work. Then why the hell are you asking? In this case its not me, its you, so come up with some alternatives so I am not constantly throwing darts in the dark.

This does not instill a sense of trust, and makes me concerned about working with you in the long-term. Can I count on being able to meet with you in a timely fashion to get anything done? Or are you going to play the hard to get card? Please note; we are not dating, and I am not interested in chasing your tail.

Shut off the Mobile Device for Five Minutes

Yes, we know you are important. We also know you are a critical cog in the wheel of U.S. commerce. You are also a human being who can pay attention for more than five minutes at a time if you try.  I believe in you! How can you really connect with the person in front of you if you are constantly thinking about who else is trying to get in touch with you? Remember, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.  Believe it or not, successful business transactions took place before technology convenience.

Get Organized; It Pays Off

The underlying problem with these scenarios is basic time management and organization. Don’t think it needs to be complicated or that you need to invent a complex system. Sit back and think about what would work for the way you work. I like having a paper calendar (yes, old school) so that when I am using my digital media I can easily access my calendar and change things.

Google also offers a free online calendar that will also send you alerts for upcoming meetings, and you can schedule the alerts for any amount of time. They also have ton of other tools that help with all aspects of your business and life.

Not getting anywhere? Get help. Talk with others in your industry and find out about the tools they use to manage their time. There are professionals who can work with you one-on-one to determine the approach that works for your lifestyle. Timebridge and Toggle are also very helpful time management/meeting tools.

The bottom line is that with more media to manage,  time is spread thinner. Its critical to maintain your in-person connections as priority one and be sure you are using digital media to enhance these personal relationships, not erode them.

So now that we have all the fancy buzzwords out of the way, let’s pose an important question every entrepreneur should consider… is it critical to have a long, detailed business plan to support a new venture effectively?

Turn-Key Strategy vs. Strangling Innovation

Well, yes and no. Do you need a strategy about what you are offering, who will want it and the different ways to get that information to your target audience? Yes.  Should it be in writing somewhere that is easy to access, created on materials that do not resemble cocktail napkins? Yes. Do you need a large, cumbersome very detailed plan that tells you when you will finally be free to take a bathroom break? No. Being flexible is one of an entrepreneur’s most important assets.

Today’s consumer is constantly changing their interests, focus and means of gathering information. With a basic plan and strategy in place that clarifies the cornerstones of your business and general approach, you can remain more fluid and expansive as a business and weather the consumer-driven marketplace. This leaves you more open to meet growing and changing demands on the fly, and react to opportunities as they emerge.

Google is one great example of a company that follows this approach to business. Are they off their original course? Yes, but in staying open to consumer demand, they are able to stay on the cutting-edge of what consumers want — and deliver it. If they had stayed locked into a very specific plan of attack, they would be missing key target markets of growth.

That is not to say a very detailed plan is not great for a very fixed goal  such as a diet, budget or other important internal business goal. In the marketplace however, its best to create a basic, fluid plan that includes cornerstone ideas that serve as the foundation, but are also flexible and open for change as needed.

Support Long-term Growth By Staying In Touch with Your Business

Its important for a business to pick a check-in point to regularly examine business strategies and how they are working. This way you are constantly reviewing the successes and failures of your business and responding in kind, instead of doing an annual check in on a wordy document. A monthly review is a good place to start, especially if you are a new business and have a few paths you want to try before creating a more solid basic plan.  Its also best to have it on hand for easy reference, not shoved in a drawer for a rainy day. Once the business has been moving along, you can move the check in to every quarter or as needed.

Having a short five page or less document that outlines the mission and vision of the company, as well as your target market and core strategies to meet those market needs is a good place to start.  Include additional resources you may need to promote your business effectively, such as a social media strategy, marketing, content writing, basic financial information too.

The real trick is to stay in touch with your business as a living, breathing thing, and you will see that the business plan is more like a fun map to make sure you are on track instead of a long, cumbersome waste of time and energy.

Time is an Entrepreneur's Ally

As human beings we are faced with multiple choices each day. Some are easy, some are necessary and others completely change the shape of  our life — taking it in new and exciting directions. Entrepreneurs can face all of these types of decisions at once, without any hard and fast rules to manage them.

When are decisions are imminent, one  key factor often gets us into trouble and we don’t even notice it distinctly. It is the is the fallacy of time. Yes, some decisions are time sensitive including, “what the hell do I eat for lunch now that I am starving and may pass out?” Most often, the pressure to make a decision quickly is mostly self-applied.

Save the Drama for Ya Mama

As humans we have an uncanny ability to add our own drama to a variety of situations. That drama is generally the idea that choices need to be made quickly. This happens because we just don’t want to have to think about the situation anymore, or the reality of making a decision puts epic-level fear into our hearts — and we want that feeling to end immediately.

The truth is, time can be an ally. Don’t feel you MUST act quickly or say something without thinking it over. If your decision impacts others, just ask for more time to feel sure about it. There is no harm in that and in fact, people will respect you more for being comtemplative and confident before making a decision that changes their lives as well.

Life Isn’t Rush Hour

So next time you feel rushed to make a decision ask yourself…Is it true that I need to make this business decision immediately? Does the fate of my business hang in the balance? Or does it feel more comfortable to take a walk, chat with a friend or confer with a bag of chocolates? My research has proven that chocolates can be quite insightful as well as delicious, and Dove chocolates even have messages as part of their packaging! Chocolate and guidance; what more could you want?

Make time your friend and snuggle with it, don’t try to race past it out the door. The perspective contemplation brings can open great doors you never would have noticed, and melt away any anxious thoughts about “doing it wrong”. Just remember its all about choices, and the best choice for you can be much clearer to see with a little extra time.