Description

0:29 Intro

• Intro/Opening remarks
• The topic is: Where are we going? Return to the office

2:06 Sponsors

• SPEARity (SPEARity.com)
• Cream City Marketing (creamcitymarketing.com)

4:00 The world opening back up

• In the last week, Brad has had his first face-to-face meetings in quite some time
• Close to a time where in person meetups are no longer frowned upon
• Being in a room for a networking event
  • “It was weird for everybody” -B

6:33 How to handle the return to normalcy

• Brad’s story
  • Planned to have a meeting with a developer who he hasn't seen in 2+ years
  • Meet halfway, go to dinner, talk about work, have a few drinks
    • Restaurant was full
    • 1 hr meeting turned into 4 hr meeting
    • Awkward first connection (shake hand, elbow bump?)
      • It’s going to be awkward
• Be Chill
  • Going into a meeting knowing you’ve done it before
  • You know how to talk to people
  • Just be chill
• “I underthought the logistics, and I overthought the mental aspects” -B

10:50 Things forgotten

• Logistically
  • Travel time
    • More people are starting to work in the office/travel more so commute times will continue to rise again
    • Need extra time for driving, parking, walking
  • Add extra time to your calendar
    • Buffer time on both ends of the event + more time
• “This new normal will take 3-6 months” -B
• “The new normal is neither new nor normal” -M
• We will never be back to the old “normal”
  • Example is travel pre and post 9/11
  • Things have changed for the better and will continue to improve
• We are still in a transition, and we are all in different parts of the transition
  • “Everyone is figuring out what they are comfortable doing” -M

17:40 Know what you’re gonna do

• Decide if you’re going to shake hands, elbow bump, or just say hi
• Eliminates the awkward moment you meet
• Stick with it, people don’t want to make the first move
• Call/make reservations at restaurants
  • More people are dining out and will relieve stress on your side and the restaurant side
• Servers are on their game right now
  • Haven’t been busy in a long time
  • Looking to help as many people to get more/bigger tips
  • Don’t waste their time - ask for more time if you aren’t ready to order
    • Let them help others instead of waiting for you to decide
• “The small-talk is going to take a long time right now” -B
• The feeling of talking in person is way different than a Zoom meeting

24:22 The things you forgot

• You are reestablishing relationships
• Expectations and emotions are overlapped
• Prepare mentally for the anxiety and awkwardness
• Pro tip: don’t talk about politics right now (touchy subject for many)

Full Show Notes Here