This time each year I like to take time to reflect on everything that has happened in the last 12 months.  One of the things that stands out for me this year is the friendships I have made.

Several months ago I attended a “Mommy” event with my daughters just to have an afternoon out of the house.  I met several other moms out doing the same, and as we all talked, we discovered how much we had in common.We exchanged contact information, and thus, a friendship was born. These friendships have gone on to become wonderful business relationships as well.

Why is that so many of our best business contacts are made at social gatherings and fun events? It is because there isnt a “sales pitch” driving the relationship. It is friendship and common interests, which goes much deeper than any sales technique ever could.  It is pure and unmotivated by any hidden agenda.  It is just two people connecting with one another on a variety of levels which leads to really listening and caring for one another, and valuing that persons feelings and opinions based on that connection.

Think of the best business dealings you have had over the last year.  How many of them have been with friends, or friendships have bloomed from these business dealings? Usually the best deals are created with people who like us and connect with us the same way we do with our friends.  When you talk to a friend at a social gathering about what you do, it is generally just out of conversation, and not trying to make a sale.  Ironically, it is the same reason that people who might ever have a need for what you do will take your information and contact you after the event.

So, when making your Customer Care calls, imagine you are calling to chat with a friend, and not a “customer.” You will be more relaxed, and your voice will reflect that.  It is easier to get excited about what you are selling when you are calling to help a friend, more so than to make a sale. Focus on the friendship, and not a sales technique. Do not push people, rather let your enthusiasm pull them along.

In 2010 I want you to spend a majority of your time getting to know people and making as many friends as you possibly can. Connect with them on many levels.  Become a better friend to others, and your business will take care of itself.

So today in an effort to get my mind of things Mike and I decided to take the girls to brunch and a movie. Normally the idea of going to a kids movie on a Saturday afternoon makes me want to run screaming, but this week has really put some things in perspective for me. So off we went.

We chose Planet 51 over Christmas Carol – and I am SO glad we did! It was such a cute movie and even though it was animated, it still had enough “adult stuff” in it to make it enjoyable. Plus it was “nice” enough that my toddler wasnt buried in my shoulder “hiding.” There were a few places that were almost TOO adult, but thankfully my girls didn’t catch them.

But the best part wasn’t the movie. It was the lesson I learned while we were there.

We got to the theater early thinking it would be packed since the movie just opened. Thankfully it wasn’t and we were able to get the “foot rest seats” – you know, the ones right behind the bars where you can prop your feet up without bothering anyone! Ha – you know which ones I am talking about! There was a lady there with her daughter, and Sami happily plopped down just 2 seats from the other girl. I said something about the foot rest, and the other mom laughed and said “yeah, you gotta have the foot rest.” We exchanged a friendly smile and sat down.

Well immediately Sami and her daughter began chatting. Before the previews started I got “Mom, can I move over one seat?”

These two had never seen each other before, but in a matter of minutes were sharing each other’s candy. They whispered and giggled thru the entire movie – the mom and I making eye contact just a few times with smiles to let eachother know the girls were ok. When the movie ended, the girls exchanged phone numbers, and both went on their ways, happy to have made a new friend.

It made me think about how easy it was to make friends at that age, and how “fearless” we are about talking to complete strangers. In life and business once we get older, this FEAR sneaks in and paralyzes us from “making the first move.” We don’t want to pick up that 600 pound phone. We over think the best way to approach someone – to the point we miss the opportunity and think “oh well, next time” – knowing full well we will wuss out then too. We don’t ask for the party booking. We don’t push just a little further to see how interested she is in the opportunity. We have forgotten what it is like to be a child, and to make friends out of no where, and to be fearless and confident enough in ourselves to make the first move.

This week the question was asked how to get over this fear, and I responded with tips on how to get prepared for the call, have a script, blah blah blah…. but today I realized, we all just need to remember being little girls, making new friends, and sharing our candy. I believe we should never lose sight of our childhood, no matter how “old” we get. Our business is all about relationships, and making new friends. And we have so much to share – with our products, our hostess rewards to save money, and our opportunities to truly change someone’s life.

I am so incredibly proud of my ‘Tween for making the move and introducing herself – my little Leader. When I told her so, her response was “well, yeah Mom, it’s easy – you just TALK!” Ahhh, the wisdom of a ten year old.