PAUL’S PERSPECTIVE


Making Time to Get Together N


ovember is here, the evenings have drawn in, and the clocks have gone back.


It’s already dark before many of us finish work, or as we say here in Devon, it’s “Dimpsy”!


As the seasons change, it’s also a


good time to reflect on how we work and whether our current ways of working are still the best for us, our businesses and our clients.


MAKING OUR TIME TOGETHER COUNT Working from home, using shared workspaces and adopting a hybrid approach have become part of everyday working life for many of us. For some, that might mean heading into the office once or twice a week, with the rest of the time spent working remotely.


For plenty of people, the flexibility this offers has been a real benefit. The question for me is how we make the most of the time we do spend together.


The pandemic changed our working lives dramatically, and we found new ways to communicate, hold meetings and keep businesses moving. Those ways of working continue to serve us well.


THE VALUE OF SEEING THINGS FIRST-HAND I believe there is still real value in spending time with colleagues and, just as importantly, getting out to see our clients face to face when there’s a clear reason to do so.


Technology is fantastic. Video calls save time, reduce unnecessary travel and allow us to connect with people across the country. Sitting across a table from someone can bring something different: an unhurried conversation, a chance to look at things together and a better understanding of what matters to them.


In our industry, a client visit can be particularly useful. Seeing how a refreshment space operates, watching where people queue or hearing from the team replenishing it can reveal practical details that are harder to pick up remotely.


It also gives us the chance to listen to people who use the space every day. A member of the team might mention something that never made it into the brief, or ask a question


that changes our thinking. Sometimes, that small detail can make a difference to the outcome.


The same applies to spending


time with colleagues. Those informal conversations over a coffee, the exchange of ideas and the opportunity to learn from one another can make getting together worthwhile. That might happen in an office, a shared workspace or somewhere else that suits the team.


Flexibility is important, and the right balance will be different for every business and individual. Let’s be purposeful about when we get together and make that time count.


TAKING THE CONVERSATION BEYOND THE STAND Exhibitions are another fantastic opportunity to make those face-to-face


connections. Whether we’re exhibiting ourselves or attending as visitors, these events give us the chance to meet existing customers, build relationships with new contacts and discover ideas and opportunities as we walk around the show.


And why not make it a little more social as well as business- focused? Taking the time to talk over a coffee, lunch or an informal get-together can help everyone relax and get to know one another better. We can still share ideas, exchange valuable information and learn from each other in a natural and enjoyable setting.


Of course, the conversation shouldn’t end when the exhibition doors close. If someone has shared a challenge or an idea, let’s follow it up. Send the information we promised, arrange another chat or introduce them to someone who can help. That’s how a useful meeting starts becoming a lasting relationship.


After all, the best business relationships aren’t built on


transactions alone. They grow through conversations, understanding and taking the time to see things from each other’s perspective.


WHO WILL YOU MAKE TIME FOR? So, as the evenings draw in and it gets a little more “Dimpsy”, perhaps we can make room for a few face-to-face conversations where they can make a difference. Before the year is out, who would you like to get together with?


As always, thanks for taking the time to read this.


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