To Hug or Not To Hug … When is it Appropriate?

Andrea Howe of Trust Matters had an excellent blog the other day on the Trust Matters website which made me think of the uncomfortable times I have experienced with clients that have ignored me extending my hand to give me a hug. Her question was “when is it appropriate to begin giving your clients a ‘professional’ hug rather than shaking their hand?”

I remember meeting a new client in Ft. Lauderdale and I was introduced to “Jane.” When Jane first approached our group of 3 she not only hugged the VP of HR and VP of Sales, but gave them a kiss on the cheek. When I was introduced she politely shook my hand with a warm smile. The next morning I went to the cafeteria to get some coffee and ran into Jane once again. This time as I extended my hand to say hello she said “we are not strangers any longer” and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Needless to say, I turned bright red and we both laughed. Since that day we have always met with a hug.

I have a small group of clients who I share hugs instead of hand shakes, but it’s the exception rather than the rule. With that said, I can say that these clients have a special status with me as clients. I’m going to throw this out to you … when is it appropriate to hug instead of shake hands? Does it help or hurt your ‘professional’ relationship? Are there any rules? Where do we draw the line?

Your comments?

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words…

But is it worth a client?

As the popularity of social-networking websites continues to grow, here’s a word to the wise: be very careful what you display about yourself on those sites — it could cost you business.

Recently, during one of the morning talk shows, the host interviewed a consultant who advises companies and individuals regarding the information and photos posted on their Websites. He shared a story of a salesman who was working a potential $1 million deal with a prospect.

The salesperson thought it would be a good idea to invite the prospect into his circle of friends on Facebook.com. The prospect accepted the invitation, and when he started touring the salesperson’s site, he found it filled with pictures of the salesperson with beer bottles in his hands and looking like he drank a few too many of them. I think you can guess what happened next; the prospect ended negotiations with the salesperson, citing his concerns about handing over a large sum of money to someone whose passion appeared to be alcohol consumption.

When is the last time you Googled your name? Are there stories about you or pictures of you on the web? Are they flattering or embarrassing? Furthermore, there are people out there with the same name as you. Could your prospects or customers think the person in the story is you? The subject may never come up in conversation; however, you might want to be prepared if it does.

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