“Eventually, the pendulum will swing the other way, back toward more personal/human connections. And the brands that get that will be winners. I believe the brands that do not emphasize ultra-modern design, trendy badge value or blow-your-mind technological innovation as their core vision — but rather emphasize the intrinsic value of person-to-person, real live human interaction — are the ones that will ascend and maintain leadership positions in the long run.” (Brands Need Face-To-Face Connection, Gregg S. Lipman, Nov. 5, 2009)

Check for examples:

1. Note British Airways’ recent launch of their “Face-to-Face” program, which focuses on “tangible human connections as a crucial driver for business growth.”

2. Macy’s “Come Together” cause-marketing campaign scores points for teaming up with Feed America to provide 10 million meals for local food banks.

3. Zappo’s CEO, Tony Hsieh, flew to New York last year to meet a customer for happy hour because he believes that customer focus is the only way to grow the company. During that same time frame, he also sent out an open invitation to a company barbecue in San Francisco and personally solved a service problem a customer left in a blog comment.

4. Jeff Pulver’s early adoption of the value of social online media at a VON show was followed by also several  rewarding “Breakfasts with Jeff Pulver.”

5. Listen to Scott Kargman’s talk on the advantages of meeting and collaborating face to face with your clients, suppliers, partners, team members and I will add, even your competitors at global events that compliment your business goals.