What makes a business relationship?
What really makes a business relationship? This may be very hard to define as it goes beyond just meeting the person and chatting about something you have in common. A relationship is developed over a period of time and usually does not happen instantly. I once met a person at a Rotary function and this person was ideal for me as a business partner. I spent some time chatting with him at the event; we exchanged cards and agreed to meet on another occasion to discuss our mutual needs. Approximately 3 months went by before we had a chance to re-connect. At that time we found that we both had a common interest in viewing movies and both our spouses did as well. It was at this point that we decided to go to the movies as a group that weekend. This was the beginning of the business relationship. We had something in common that we both enjoyed. It has now been 2 and a half years later and I am just starting to do business with this person. This story simply means that you do not make instant business relationships, they must be nurtured.
In another example, the process was much quicker. I met a CPA at a networking and problem solving meeting, and we instantly discovered that I had some services he required and we agreed to meet to discuss the project. We also created a business relationship in that I agreed to help his son to write his first book. This relationship took a period of two months, not two years. What really makes a relationship is a common interest or goal and a fit for what you each have to offer. A business relationship is not a one way street, there must be give and take or it will fall apart.
If you have the expertise necessary, the development of the relationship will be shorter than if you have to search for something that will click. Personal interests, the direction you want to take your business, even your focus, all come into play.
Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://www.blueprintbooks.com
detailed home cleaning Park Ridge ..If you own a Pressure Washing Company and wish to... Read More
You can provide affordable health care plans to your employees.... Read More
Mobile detailers will find themselves with lots of competition even... Read More
That sizzling sound you're hearing may be a symptom of... Read More
Most of us remember going to at least one garage... Read More
Franchising has made the world look really small. The well... Read More
How is your pipeline structured?I assume most of you have... Read More
As small business owners we're in business to make money... Read More
If you're just ramping up your small business email newsletter,... Read More
In the 2003 Auto Laundry News Survey it was determined... Read More
One of the hidden perks of raising six children is... Read More
In today's marketplace the words 'job security' have become an... Read More
Every home business has the same problem of how to... Read More
Let me get right to the point. The single most... Read More
One of the simplest ways to expand your marketing efforts... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
"Order Now!" "Your Business Will Fail If You Don't Have... Read More
Marketing is one of the four corner-posts of a solid... Read More
Winning small and home based businesses today must continually shake... Read More
Have Some Time to Yourself One of the most important... Read More
Is this you?You dreamed of owning your own business, doing... Read More
Ok, you have successfully accomplished your dream of being the... Read More
Concrete cleaning can be a lucrative business to start. Here... Read More
If you've been considering incorporating your small business, you've probably... Read More
A successful joint venture marketing effort is the goal of... Read More
express cleaning service Des Plaines ..One of the major complaints in the QSR Quick Service-Fast... Read More
I recently met with a very successful magazine publisher who... Read More
If you want to start a business in 2005, and... Read More
Now that winter has passed, the annual ritual of spring... Read More
How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
The reason we Franchisors call it an exclusive territory is... Read More
Writing a business plan is a fundamental step to ensuring... Read More
Do you promote yourself as offering prompt, reliable and quality... Read More
Everyday more web based companies enter the business scene. The... Read More
How do we keep track of our business deals?If you... Read More
In today's fast paced marketplace it is easy to neglect... Read More
When you feel like you're always busy working on your... Read More
As a practitioner and student of Small Business Marketing, I... Read More
COLLABORATIVE NEGOTIATING:Collaborative negotiating is a win-win strategy that can focus... Read More
Now that you have invested your time, energy and money... Read More
New Franchisors and Entrepreneurs need to watch out as they... Read More
You've probably heard the statistic that 95% of small businesses... Read More
The Operations Plan is a critical component of any business... Read More
If you ask most small business owners what priority CRM... Read More
When do annoyances in a relationship become too much to... Read More
Many new ventures are preoccupied with all the money they... Read More
As a teenager I worked for my father's small business.... Read More
There are almost as many opinions and views on marketing... Read More
Starting and managing a small business is no fun chore,... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission which governs the franchise industry thru... Read More
Small Business |