What do we miss when we don't follow up? A lot

After a candid, insightful phone conversation -- during which he offered plenty of ideas and suggestions about whom to meet -- a local businessman signed off by saying, "Let's definitely keep in touch."

"I will," I assured him, thanking him again for his time.

"I'm serious," he said. "Will you keep in touch?"

This seemingly innocuous promise that people offer clearly had gotten this man thinking, and over what became the second half of our conversation, he told me that people often tell him they'll maintain a new connection or follow up on advice but seldom do it.