As I was flying to New England today to meet with a new client, I was reminded of the power of the personal touch. Email, text messages, and even phone calls all help make businesspeople more efficient and effective. However, business is all about relationships, and the best way to build strong and lasting relationships is through face-to-face meetings.

Yeah, I had to wake up at 4:15am this morning, I had to get to the airport, pass through the security gauntlet, and then hang out for five or six hours on two different flights (Hello, Minneapolis!). And now I'm sitting here in this hotel room -- 3,000 miles away from home, with a couple feet of snow outside my window. But you know what? I wouldn't trade this trip for the world.

As soon as I arrived at my destination, I made a beeline for the restaurant where my client was waiting for me. We had a relaxed dinner and had an opportunity to get acquainted in a way that is just not possible when communicating electronically. While there is much work to be done, we are off to a great start.

So as you think about your own client relationships, don't forget the power of the personal touch. It can make the difference between a good business relationship, and a great one. And that can make a difference in your bottom line.