Suppose that you are trying to build a relationship with someone who is located in a different part of the country, or in another country. 

Consider four questions:

Why might you want to do so?

What technology can help you do so?

What issues may arise?

How can you deal with these issues, if they arise?

The answers are situation specific, and specific to each of us.  When I answer these questions, they are only that.  My answers.  Please understand that these answers worked for me and are provided as a starting point for you as you think about your situation. 

Why?

A better question might be why anyone would allow physical location to be a barrier to building a relationship.  While it is easier to build and maintain relationships face-to-face or by telephone, they can be created remotely.  Several of my business contacts are people that I have never met face-to-face. 

Technology?

Technology now supports remote interactions for small businesses at a comparable level to what one can find within large organizations. For $50 to $100 per month (or less), people can often gain access to a variety of tools that support remote networking.  Yahoo!, Skype, and Google are just three solutions that allow instant messaging and/or email.  As the firms and solutions evolve, they will probably include stronger online collaboration tools as well.

Issues?

A variety of issues can arise when a person is trying to build relationships remotely.  Even within the US, different regions have different cultures.  When international relationships are involved the cultural differences can be even more confusing.

Where people are remote from each other, it can be difficult to make sure that they are receiving the same information.  Communication becomes more important.

If a person relies solely on internet presence and email/webmail interaction, it is difficult to confirm that the other person is hearing what the person is saying. 

There have been cases where people misrepresented themselves.  Some argue that this is more common via the Internet.  It is unclear to me if the frequency of misrepresentations is impacted by the Internet.  

Communication can be confusing, especially if people rely solely on written words. 

Dealing with issues?

When building remote relationships, it is important to increase the communication, listen more, ask questions, and provide more information. Remember, the other person may see the world from a very different perspective. (To illustrate this, look at how different newspapers around the world cover a particular story.)

Explaining the analysis and perspective is especially important is a person is trying to answer a question.

Due diligence, good judgment, and time are critical in any relationship.

Regular contact is important if a relationship is going to grow.

Filed by Coleen Davis at 9:43 pm under Business Tips, Negotiations, Networking, Solving Problems