In this digital age we live in its entirely possible to run a business, get through a day, or complete many a project without actually interacting with human beings. While the efficiencies of this are incredible, I’m not so sure it’s always so good for the perspective.

I think it is a good practice, no matter what your business, to make it a habit to force yourself out on a real sales call, have lunch with a client, or drop in on a vendor – just to stay in touch with what your business really does.

Take it a step farther and pick out a networking type event, local lunch workshop or seminar each month and get yourself out of the office.

Finally, once or twice a year, go to a really big industry conference and meet face to face with as many industry thought leaders as you can, get fired up about what’s happening in your industry, learn a new skill and even stretch yourself a bit by attending a panel or two that covers something unrelated to your core business.

I find that these types of relationship and mind building practices can immediately add to the bottom line by opening doors to new valuable partnerships and connections, can bring you renewed perspective about your business and industry, and can aid in forming your fully developed vision for your organization.

Sometimes, you’ve got to look up from the work you do day to day and see what’s really going on in the world to better understand your place and your client’s place in it.