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Executive Message: Make Sure You're Connected


  • October 1, 2007
  • Gordon Morton — president, sales & marketing, XanGo, LLC
Gary Hollister

Calling myself out as a huge fan of technology is a bit of an understatement: I crave it nearly as much as I’m surrounded by it.

And, let’s face it, in today’s world, advances in technology allow us to leverage our time and efforts—the speed and efficiency at which we’re able to do business is absolutely mind-boggling. I’m completely reliant upon my BlackBerry, I adore my iPod and still geek out regularly over my iPhone.

That’s all fine and good. Here’s another good idea to add to the mix, then; in our business, balancing our hi-tech tendencies by becoming hi-touch is something I consider to be absolutely essential. Developing our interpersonal skills is always a step in the right direction.

This happens when we strive to establish our relationships with our various groups, making them stronger. It’s knowing the likes and dislikes of those in your organization, committing to memory their kids’ names and discovering what their favorite things are. It’s knowing something as seemingly inconsequential as the color of the carpet in their respective living rooms. It’s as easy as that.

The more moves we make in this direction, the better our businesses will become.

Here’s your assignment of the month, then: Go out and pick up a copy of Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” If you already have it, read it over again. Believe you me, it’ll work small wonders.