Relationship building

Success in business and in life means different things to different people. However, one fact is universal, if you want true success you must be able to build truly magnificent relationships. The only way to create real success is to treat everyone you meet with kindness, respect and the way you would want to be treated. Don’t get me wrong you can have monetary success without treating others with kindness and respect however you will never achieve the long term success you are looking for.

The successful business owner and salesperson achieves the success they are looking for by following these rules:

Take the blame.

Be the proactive person, don’t say it wasn’t my fault. Accept the blame even if it wasn’t your fault and resolve it. When you resolve other people’s issues it helps to reinforce your relationship.

Listen for the need, understand the need and then present the solution.

This sounds so simple, yet most business owners and sales people miss this because they miss the clues. Sometimes your client is looking for guidance, direction or just an honest opinion and we are so in tuned with dispensing product or sales that we miss what they are looking for and what they really want is your advice. Giving the advice might not get you the business you want today but will build the relationship you need to get that sale at some point. Remember the relationship creates the sale.

Be the leader.

People who build great relationships don't just think about other people they lead them to where they need to be not where they want to be. We have all heard, “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink”, but that’s not true if you build the relationship. When you lead the relationship people trust you and will drink if you lead them there.

Take responsibility for your actions.

Apologize when you make a mistake. Have you ever made a mistake, realized it and thought, “Its ok I don’t think anyone else noticed”? More people noticed but didn’t call you out on it and in truth they were looking to see how you handled it. Maybe that’s why they didn’t come back to you for business or maybe they lost a little respect for you. When you make a mistake most people will forgive you if you own up to it right away. You’re human own up to your errors and become that trusted advisor everyone is looking for. This is one of the absolute keys to building outstanding relationships.
Create mutually beneficial relationships.

There is no bigger turnoff than one sided relationships. If you show you only care about what you receive without giving something of HUGE value in return you are not creating a relationship that will last. The individual who builds great relationships doesn't think about what they want they think about what they can do for others. They understand that giving is the best way to create an outstanding relationship and a long lasting connection. When you approach relationship building as if it's all about the other person and not about you then you will create the outstanding relationships that will broaden your business.