Over time, we all move through life cycles. Friends and customer relationships may change jobs, and their personal circumstances are in flux as well. It is always easier to reach out to those who have something we need, but what about other times, when there is a rough patch or someone is out of work? I will offer up that most folks remember those who extend a hand when the ox is in the ditch, rather than those who show up on a clear day.
On a recent trip, I made a point to visit a contact who had moved from one company to another and was a bit down on her luck. She was our ally in her former position, but moreover, she is a good person we don’t want to fall off the radar.
One never knows where a short note, email or phone call will lead, or the impact it could have on someone else, especially when they have nothing to offer. The right time and style is more an art form than a science, learned over time.
Interestingly, it seems that staying top-of-mind takes little effort and is a rewarding process, both personally and professionally, for everyone involved. Maybe now is the time to get in the practice of keeping the radar turned on.
