B2B Markeplace

Erin graduated from college with a deep curiosity in life around her and a determined spirit of adventure. She dedicated long hours to the accounting firm where she was employed and found it enjoyable to spend time working at the local dog shelter where she indulged her love of pets. She felt that her life was complete until the time she was picking up her latest order of Business Cards at the local print shop. She happened to see a rack of Postcards and one in particular caught her eye because it reminded her of a high school friend that she had not seen or heard from in a very long time. The picture showed two giggling friends under an umbrella dressed in plastic boots and bright rain slickers and could have been taken of the two girls many years earlier. It brought an instant feeling of nostalgia to Erin and she realized how much she had missed her friend and the fun times they always enjoyed together. Erin was determined she would get in touch with her old friend later that day to see how she was doing.

It can be easy to get into a routine and neglect those people who mean the most to us. It takes a concerted effort to maintain friendship and to stay connected to even a few people in a meaningful way. A few ways to keep in touch with friends are:

• Scheduling a walk every Saturday is a vigorous, comfortable method to spend time with a friend and it costs nothing. Most communities have parks with walking trails that provide views of nature and easy paths to follow but just walking through a well-known area can be enjoyable as well. If the weather happens to be nasty meeting at a shopping mall is a fine substitute and offers the chance to have a cup of coffee at the end of the exercise. The main thing is just to get it on the calendar and to meet in a systematic manner.

• Making contact with friends who live away has never been easier thanks to e-mail and some of the newer computer applications such as Facebook. Sending a quick e-mail note takes but a minute and allows the person receiving it to respond at his or her convenience so it is never intrusive. Most people appreciate a picture now and again in order to keep up with growing families and it is easy to attach one to an e-mail or to include it on a Facebook page.

• Establishing a regular time, such as the third Saturday evening of each month for example, is a easy method of setting aside time with friends. It turns into an occasion to anticipate and is easy to remember because it is habitual. Most people find their good intentions becoming the reality of actually getting together with friends because the time is already on the calendar every thirty days. A quick phone call is all it takes to agree on the time and place to meet for a fun time together.