How to Bond a Business Relationship

When should you create a foundation in order to solidify a business relationship?

Before you bond any business relationship, you need to make sure that this is a relationship that you both want to have. No relationship is a one way street; the relationship must work in both directions. You must have expertise that the client needs and they must have the resources to reward you for those services. You should never try to downplay your offerings with deep discounts, changes in what you provide, or any other thing that will decrease your value. The client must value what you have to offer through payment. Pro Bono work in the beginning to prove yourself will only harm you and the relationship you are trying to cultivate. If you do free work, then the value of your expertise will be limited and the customer will likely not want to pay your going rate.

If the client values what you have to offer and is willing to enter into a contractual agreement for services, then the relationship is worth bonding. You can bond a relationship by offering to work on a value based fee system which will not limit access to you during business hours and also give you freedom to conduct your work within the time frame given. This type of system also prevents micromanagement of how you spend your time. If you charge an hourly rate, then your value has changed to "how many hours can I afford" and "I want to know what that person is doing everyday for the money I am paying". A value based fee system will allow you to bond the relationship.

Checklists

How many business relationships do you currently have? ______

List at least 5 businesses that you would like to target for business over the next few months.

______________________________________________________________

_________________ _____________________________________________

________________________________________________ ______________

______________________________________________________________

__________ ____________________________________________________

If you know, who is the name of the person that you need to form a solid business relationship with?

______________________________________________________________

___________________ ___________________________________________

__________________________________________________ ____________

______________________________________________________________

What do you need to know about each of the people you listed in order to form a type of "bond"?

______________________________________________________________

_______ _______________________________________________________

______________________________________ ________________________

______________________________________________________________

What things do you like to do and discuss? Are any of these items that can help you form a business relationship?

______________________________________________________________

___________ ___________________________________________________

__________________________________________ ____________________

______________________________________________________________

Bett e 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

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


4 Areas Where Your Business is Losing Money

In my 18 years of consulting I have heard it... Read More

A Business Plan Is Not Worth A Cracker To A Struggling Business - A Plans The Last Thing It Needs

Before you start a business we encourage you to prepare... Read More

Franchises: How to Find the Best Franchise Opportunity for You

If you are looking for a franchise opportunity, the choice... Read More

The Business Failed, But Did You?

Q: After years of dreaming about starting my own business,... Read More

Pressure Washing Business Case Study, Tractor Cleaning

So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which... Read More

The Business Autopsy: A Fact Of Life

Last week we discussed the importance of performing an autopsy... Read More

The 5 Habits of Highly Successful Small-Business Owners

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a... Read More

Street Wars Between Mobile Car Washers and Mobile Auto Detailers

There is much competition in the mobile auto detailing business.... Read More

Finding the Right Virtual Assistant for Your Small Business

Articles abound advising the business community how to properly screen... Read More

Presentations and Sales Automotive Detailers

Many auto detailers fall short in their sales presentations. I... Read More

Power Tools for Business

How do we keep track of our business deals?If you... Read More

11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From The Miracle On Ice

1. Know Where You're Going ? Coach Herb Brooks had... Read More

Competition Relations in Auto Detailing

There is significant competition in auto detailing and car washing.... Read More

How to Promote Your Business by Entering Contests

You are probably hard at work promoting your business (and... Read More

Modern Clear Coats, Auto Detailers and visit to Lexus of North America

We visited Lexus USA, home of the Lexus North America... Read More

How the Crab Effect Obstructs Growth and How to Conquer It

Some of the greatest words of wisdom for any man... Read More

Outsourcing ? A Positive Approach For Small Businesses

Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform... Read More

10 Hiring Tips for Small Business Owners

As a successful small business owner,you're accustomed to long hours;... Read More

How to Prevent Home Business Burnout

As a home business proprietor, you may already realize why... Read More

How to Wash Mobile Homes as a Business

Washing manufactured homes, mobile homes, can be a lucrative and... Read More

Speed Kills on the Web!

I only have to point to the 555 plus failed... Read More

Marketing a New or Small Business on a Budget

There are almost as many opinions and views on marketing... Read More

The PR Commitment to Small Business

We're birds of a feather, public relations and small business.... Read More

Hispanic Small Business Advantage

One thing I have noticed in my travels to different... Read More

Entrepreneurs Ask: What Can a Virtual Assistant Do For Me?

Great question!Freeing your time is an indisputably key element in... Read More

Your Business and the Story of a Tree; Part One

This morning, I went to take a short walk outside.... Read More

Pressure Washing Graders and Tractor Motors

When pressure washing heavy equipment each piece of equipment has... Read More

How To Select a Franchise

Here are some useful tips on how to select a... Read More

There Are No Dumb Business Questions, Not!

Q: I'm curious. What is the dumbest business question you've... Read More

Professional Car Care Businesses You Can Start

If you are in the professional car care business you... Read More

Incorporating a Small Business: S corporations versus C corporations

If you've been considering incorporating your small business, you've probably... Read More

Arranging Your Fundraiser

When deciding to host a fundraiser for your company or... Read More

Business Scents - Do They Work?

You see it often in large shopping complexes. Customers seem... Read More