Kevin,

I'm a fairly young man (34 years old), and I own my own small business. I’ve been thinking about scaling back my office space, since I do most of my business on the phone and through email anyway. My one worry is that, without a designated meeting space, the relationships that's I've been maintaining will weaken. In the 21st Century, is e-communicating just the way things are going to be? Is there real value in setting aside a space (a physical space or a mental one) where I can discuss business face to face? Am I just an old fart?

Sincerely,
Brian Patrick Murphy
Marion, IL

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Dear Brian Patrick,

I think I can safely say that, at 34 years old, you are not an old fart.

Your question of providing an environment to build relationship within an office is very timely.  Most businesses are struggling with G&A costs, and office space is an area that is an easy target . There are many new leasing arrangements available, including options where businesses can share reception space, training rooms, break rooms and conference rooms. This may be the solution to your short term cash flow challenges.

On the larger point of communicating in the 21st Century, I think the new world will be about "connecting." In this high-tech/low-touch world of instant information and access to data, many leaders confuse downloading information with communicating. It has become very difficult to choose which mode of communication we should use when we have e-mail, voicemail, texting, phone calls, letters, or (God forbid) the dreaded "face to face" meeting . And as communication tools continue to evolve and become even more immediate, the need to really connect with your team and your customer has never been more important .

We have all heard the story of a guy breaking up with his girlfriend over text or giving performance reviews over emails . These new tools can help us become more efficient in our messages,  but not necessarily more effective. Be sure not to confuse “quicker and faster” with“better and more effective.”

As the leader of your organization, one of your primary responsibilities is to make sure communication is flowing  between yourself and your team members. Once you’ve handled that, then you can worry about communications with your customers . Again, making sure that you have not only communicated but have "connected" with an idea is critical. To test your effectiveness within your own organization, you can simply ask a team member to repeat back to you what your specific strategic initiative or idea benefits are to the customer. If they can state with compelling clarity the attributes and benefits of the strategy, then you are on your way to success . And keep up with it! Maintain close contact with your team, and make a point of really connecting regularly, regardless of how you’re communicating. Pull your team together, and, together, agree on some communications principles of when and how you will use each new method of communicating.

So, yes, Brian Patrick, I’d say to keep the conference table and have it serve as a "mantle of connecting" with team members and customers in the new world order of communications.

Live strong,

kevin e. dunn