Picture this! You are at a function and you find a person gracefully moving across the room who then ask you the question; 'What do you do?' You take a deep breath, pause for a second, then either yourself or your new associate that you happen to meet about 10 seconds ago launches into a sales pitch. Then out of the corner of your eye someone hands you a business card that you didn't ask for. You say, 'Thank you' and then you find yourself exchanging business cards without first building that initial relationship.
It's great to have people know who you are and what you do for a living. Now take a step back and think to yourself, 'is this the most profitable way to do business?' Most certainly it is the exact opposite. So what is the most successful way?
Connect with People
Building successful relationships is a connection between individuals which does not require each to sell their business or products. This also extends to handing out business cards as seen in the above example.
If you want to be successful at networking and building relationships which will be highly profitable for your business then you will need to consider it like a loyal friendship. The following strategy will provide some guidance to developing a highly profitable network and avoid the mistakes that many people make.
The Game Plan
Always plan prior to a function. Planning provides direction and a goal. So remember to always plan and set yourself some goals or it could possibly be a waste of time and energy.
When meeting someone always observe body language. To be a Highly successful networker you will:
Act as a host and not a guest
Always be interested in people
Give eye contact
Actively listen
Always smile and
Remember names
The rule of thumb when meeting a person for the first time is to talk about a mutual topic with the focus on introducing yourself first. Give at least 5 to 10 minutes before talking business and asking for their contact details.
The most important action
Lastly following the event the most important task is to follow up. Follow up should occur preferably within 24 hours of the event passing. It is better to personally call them by phone and re-introduce yourself. I know the common mistake is sending an email. Trust me based on experience a phone call is much warmer and will build that solid rapport.
Have a conversation for a few minutes, if you have done your homework properly and actively listen they may have taken you into their world and disclosed various items of interest. This can be hobbies, personal experience, or family. Use their personal interest as an advantage to kick start the conversation i.e. Hey did you get a chance to go to the gym last night? This enforces that you have a keen interest in knowing them and people love other people who speak their language. During the conversation ask to meet over coffee or go for lunch.
1 Responses to “Secrets to Successful Business Relationships”
Comment by Unknown.
Many blogs about business networking are available in the internet nowadays but your secret ideas on how to build a successful business relationship are unique ideas to read. Making a successful business takes a lot of time and will, so it’s good to have a network of friends and associates to draw energy from them and keep us going. By surrounding ourselves with people who share a similar drive and goal, we are more likely to move forward as a group. Effective business networking is the connecting together of individuals who, through trust and relationship building, become walking, talking advertisements for one another, being genuine and authentic, and seeing how we can help others. The people that we hang around with and talk to do influence who we are and what we do, so it is important to be surrounding yourself with positive and inspiring people that help us to grow and succeed as a business owner or managing a business. Networking is great for this, as business owners that are using networking are usually people that are really going for it, positive and uplifting.
Clwyd Probert @ Business Networking in London
Post a Comment