Face it – Business is all about Relationships!
You do not do business in a vacuum. You have clients and customers – your life blood of your business. You also have employees, co-workers, maybe a boss, business partners, shareholders, joint venture partners, business associates, referral sources, suppliers, vendors. The list goes on and on.
So the true ‘Art of Business’ is the ‘Art of Relationships’. It is one reason why there are more and more successful women in business (not knocking the men here). Women just have a knack for developing strong relationships. Men are driven to get the job done, while women build networks of friends and associates that can get it done for them.
So if business is all about relationships – then why – if you open 99% of business books today, do they not talk about relationships; how to build them and nurture them. Instead they discuss organizational behaviour, time management, sales strategy, financial tracking, system analysis, etc.
If you really want to succeed in business – then find a book about relationships. Learn how to work with people, get people to trust you, how to create real friendships.
That will drive your success!
I have heard it said that 90% of a person’s success in business relates directly to how happy they are in their personal relationships. I believe this is true to some extent. But the reason behind it (this the real secret) is that these people have are skilled at the art of creating powerful relationships.
If you are happy in your personal relationship – then you have mastered – at least on your personal level – the art of building and nurturing relationships. You can transfer these skills directly over to your business life. This will then corresponds to your level of success in business.
Let me be clear – it is not about contacts. Just having someone’s business card, friend on Facebook, or connection on LinkedIn does not mean you have built a relationship. You have to take it a step further.
You must make a connection – that is the start. And in today’s busy world that can by tough. It can start with an email, comment or message on social media. Then it should progress to a phone call or in person meeting. In today’s busy world the phone is still one of the best business tools you have..
Learn to make short, but positive impact phone calls. Know what your message is before you dial. Have a question; invite them to a networking or other business event; have an irresistible offer for them. Give them VALUE! Stick to the facts; be courteous, opening the door to building a relationship.
Email can be a great follow up to a phone call. But don’t make it your only contact. It is too impersonal, and too easy to ignore.
Don’t forget those relationships right in your own business, your coworkers, employees, vendors, etc. The ones you see day to day. You must continually work on them, building the relationship. You cannot tune them out, assuming they will always be there, and nothing changes in your life. Keep ‘getting in touch’ with these people – really making a connection on a regular basis.
