How has remote work impacted your relationship with your clients? I used to rely on in-person meetings, lunches, and casual office drop-ins to build rapport, and now everything is emails, Zoom calls, and Slack messages. I still get the job done, but it feels harder to establish real trust when we’re just another name in each other’s inboxes. I’ve tried personalizing check-ins and being more proactive, but it’s not the same. Have you found ways to strengthen client relationships remotely? Or do you think in-person interactions are still the gold standard for long-term trust?
For sure. Remote work has made building that personal connection trickier. I’ve found that overcommunicating helps, regular check-ins, making calls instead of emails when possible, and sending small, personal gestures like a handwritten note. But yeah, in-person definitely has its edge. How have your clients reacted?
Mentor
We still have some client entertainment funds (ie season tickets to games, etc) that I try and take advantage of as much as I can. I also try and continue to grab lunch or dinner with my clients a few times of year. Budget depending of course. But I agree, that in person connection with clients is hard to replace.
I’ve really had to think about how I communicate for that reason. Being in person, body language, just all those things are out the window with the remote. I feel like I have less time to get the point across, question answered, whatever. Maybe an attention span issue, it’s just very much different then being face to face. I know it’s something I’m still struggling with.