If you are in a business that provides a product or service you know that the competition for business is stronger than ever. Your affect on the experience of your client or customer lasts a lot longer than the work you provide or the product you sell. That experience supersedes the brand name of the company, even having the power to strengthen or weaken the impact of that brand.

Clients and customers today want to “connect” on a more personal level than ever before. Perhaps the impersonal experience of purchasing something on the internet has created a demand for a more humanized experience whenever possible, even in places you would least expect it. Another reason is that there are more quality choices available today so one of the distinguishing factors is the overall experience a client has with you and your company.

There was an article in the NY Times the other day describing how the New York City Ballet Company was trying to humanize the experience of attending the ballet. Their management believes that audiences today want to “connect” on a more personal level with those who perform on stage. Consequently they have their dancers meet with audience members before performances to talk about their every day experiences, answer questions and in effect, connect one to one. Audience members get to know the dancers and are given the opportunity to relate to them as people, not just as performers on stage. Those who attended the talks felt the experience of watching them dance was greatly enhanced.

In a profession where mystique once reigned, dancers are coming down from the stage and letting their personalities show through.

What are you doing to “connect” with your clients?

Utilizing her experience of over 25 years, Mary Rosenbaum helps careerists and entrepreneurs position themselves so they can stand out from the competition. Get her free report Top Strategies for Getting Visible and Getting Ahead.

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