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
Franchising companies often use Business Broker to help attain sales... Read More
Aside from the fear of losing a spreadsheet or research... Read More
There are almost as many opinions and views on marketing... Read More
Starting and growing a small business can be a daunting... Read More
The stock market is still on a wild roller coaster... Read More
Many mobile pressure-washing companies turn to government contacts to make... Read More
I ran a franchise company for many years, a car... Read More
In today's economic climate, the first priority for the small... Read More
I'll be the first to admit that I went a... Read More
Franchisor expansion policies are not as simple as one might... Read More
Being a small or home-based business owner can be loads... Read More
Success is the desire of everyman on the face of... Read More
Pardon my enthusiasm, but a large part of your small... Read More
Whether you are an Entrepreneur or Business Professional there are... Read More
Why would you use an event pass?Event passes are often... Read More
Paul Leonard's BirthdayCards2Go.com paid greeting card service offers convenience when... Read More
1. Have A Strong Constitution ? Justices deliver decisions by... Read More
Are you a small business owner who wants to expand... Read More
A Private Investigator is a professional trained in the art... Read More
Your business is making profits, but where is the cash?... Read More
There are only a handful of car wash franchises in... Read More
Last week's question from Anthony R. on how to choose... Read More
Why should you describe your business to others in 5... Read More
Company mottos can easily be printed on a business card.Sometimes... Read More
You need to be visible to attract customers, right? But... Read More
Are the promoters and consultants destroying the market for Reverse... Read More
If you plan to upgrade your workshop into an Authorized... Read More
One of the simplest ways to expand your marketing efforts... Read More
If you run a pressure washer business you need complete... Read More
CONSIDERING COMPANY NEEDS: In identifying your needs for the internship,... Read More
Most small business owners seek advisors who can help them... Read More
Take advantage of world politics today and start your own... Read More
To maximum potential profits and dollars in a mobile washing... Read More
As a small business owner, outsourcing work to Virtual Assistants... Read More
How do you make sure you have the business solutions... Read More
The Dynamics of Daylight Savings Time changes the way we... Read More
Are you a motivational speaker who consistently gets rave reviews... Read More
Send handwritten notes. That applies whether you're a guy or... Read More
How do you find the best business partners?Finding a good... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission is upgrading the franchise law and... Read More
Early in my career, I wrote an article for a... Read More
Mr/Ms, 'not me' is often on holidays in your business.... Read More
Your on-line success is based on your efforts and yours... Read More
"What do you do?" It just might be one of... Read More
Cash flow. To stay in business, you've got to keep... Read More
How much is your time really worth? Is it worth... Read More
How do we keep track of our business deals?If you... Read More
A top executive called up me late in the night.... Read More
Expanding your business requires you to take a good hard... Read More
A corporate shell could be liken to a house that... Read More
How often have you thumbed through a business opportunity magazine,... Read More
As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do... Read More
Think the best way to get more customers is to... Read More
Motivational author and speaker Jim Rohn says that for a... Read More
A career coach could be simply defined your job seeking... Read More
The FTC, Federal Trade Commission, is considering modifying the franchise... Read More
When should you leverage the relationship?Leveraging sometimes brings a negative... Read More
Summer is a time for the outdoors, for that well-deserved... Read More
Starting a business? For many people, the bravery to venture... Read More
Home based travel businesses are no longer the wave of... Read More
In this series of articles I'm going to show you... Read More
Why should you describe your business to others in 5... Read More
The goals of businesses have undergone much evolution from the... Read More
Winning small and home based businesses today must continually shake... Read More
Sometimes the simple businesses are the ones, which make good... Read More
As a Boat Detailing Specialist, you may want to offer... Read More
Small Business |