Parises: Technology shouldn’t replace communication in business

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We live in a world run by technology. It wakes us up, reminds us of errands, and even suggests where to grab lunch. It’s efficient, helpful—but sometimes, it gets in the way of something deeply human: communication.

In sales, communication isn’t just a skill; it’s the heartbeat of connection. Yet today, we often lean on automated campaigns to do the talking. These tools have their place, but they can’t replace the magic of a real conversation.

As a new banker, my mentor dropped me off at an industrial park with one mission: collect business cards and gather insights from each company. No Google. No LinkedIn. My first attempt was ugly.  I was a man on a mission – gather the information and move on.  After getting tossed out of the second business I approached, I took a different tactic.  At the next company I approached, I left my agenda outside and led with curiosity and the desire to connect. I walked through doors, asked questions, and listened. What I lacked in data, I made up for in genuine interest, and that made all the difference.

Those experiences taught me a timeless lesson: people buy from people. Not from emails. Not from drip campaigns. From someone who listens, shows up, and cares. At Stride Bank, I encourage my team, especially the younger members, to join me in letting that lesson shape our work. By having conversations and actually getting to know our clients, they trust us more, and we can provide the most effective services to fit our clients’ unique needs.Today, we track clicks and opens like they’re the pulse of a deal. But the real heartbeat is in the voice on the other end of the phone. It’s in face-to-face meetings where trust is built. Technology should support us, but it shouldn’t replace us.

Verbal communication is a differentiator. In a world of screens, the person who picks up the phone or walks through the door stands out. They show initiative, confidence, and a willingness to engage, and more often than not, they win the business.

Technology is a fantastic tool—it helps us research, organize, and follow up more efficiently than ever before. But it should be just that: a tool. When we let it replace the human element, we lose the very thing that makes us effective as sales professionals—our ability to connect.

Sales is still a people business. People want to be heard, understood, and valued. That starts with a conversation.

Don’t forget the power of a conversation. While technology may open the door, it’s our voice and presence that build the relationship.

So here’s my challenge to you: bring back the conversation. In the coming months, prioritize with our teams the phone calls, coffee meetings, and face-to-face interactions. Be the ones who show up, ask questions, and truly listen.

Because at the end of the day, trust creates stronger business relationships. And trust starts with a conversation.

Bryan Parises is OKC market president – SVP at Stride Bank, Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender.