Welcome to another insightful episode of "MOJO: The Meaning of Life and Business." I'm your host, Jennifer Glass, and today's conversation promises to transform the way you perceive relationships in business. We're joined by the illustrious Tom Gay, CEO of EngagePro.com and an innovator in the realm of business and marketing solutions. In a world increasingly dominated by technology and automation, Tom and I delve into the profound importance of putting the human element back into professional connections.

Throughout our discussion, Tom shares his wealth of knowledge and experience, emphasizing the timeless principle that people do business with those they know, like, and trust. We explore how personalized engagement, rooted in genuine interest in clients' personal lives and interests, not only nurtures loyalty but also drives business success. From personalized gestures like birthday greetings to keeping track of clients’ family names or pets, we discuss the subtle yet powerful ways to forge deeper, more meaningful business relationships.

Tom cautions against the "digital slumber" that over-reliance on automated tools can create, offering instead a blueprint for a human-centric approach that prioritizes quality over quantity in networking. With practical examples and proven strategies, including insights from his company Engage Pro, Tom offers listeners the tools to break free from the noise of digital marketing.

Whether it's through cultivating a succinct network of referral partners or harnessing the power of platforms like Alignable for business connections, this episode is a deep dive into creating robust and lasting relationships. We conclude by highlighting actionable steps you can take today to integrate these human connections with the supporting role of technology, ensuring your business not only survives but thrives in today's competitive landscape. Tune in and discover how you can master the art of "relationship working" over mere networking.

About my guest: Tom Gay is a highly accomplished serial entrepreneur making a career of solving complex business and marketing problems through innovative web solutions. He’s currently the CEO of EngagePro.com, a referral sales building platform for professionals, and the creator of ChatBridgeConnect.com. Previously he founded Refer.com and served almost 5 million users. Tom’s served on numerous corporate and community boards, and frequently speaks on the topics of relationship selling, leadership development, and building socially responsible businesses.

Connect with Tom on Facebook, LinkedIn, and on the web at ChatBridgeConnect

Keywords: Personal relationships in business, automation in business, genuine human connections, personalized engagement, relationship-building, referral partners, quality relationships, digital slumber, unpersonalized messaging, human interaction vs automation, "Know, Like, Trust" in business, critique of traditional firms, service provider engagement, personalized notes and cards, non-transactional relationships, financial services strategies, customer retention, stickiness factor, importance of referrals, shift from conventional methods, relationship marketing, Engage Pro software, Alignable workshops, personalizing communication, "relationship working", technology in business, impact of automation, systematic relationship-building, community partnerships, small business connections.