Building Better Business Relationships

Previously, we looked at why it is important to build up business relationships and why they sometimes fail. In this article, we’re going to look at how you can build up these relationships. Business relationships don’t happen in the blink of an eye. They take time, effort and patience. Lets take a look at how you can achieve a good business relationship:

Be Authentic

Yes, this first one seems obvious, but it is important to keep in mind. You should strive to be yourself and to accept others the way they are. Try to find people and companies that you feel a natural connection with, making it easier to communicate with them. The authenticity of connecting personality, beliefs and points of view can accelerate relationships. This might not be possible for you to achieve with every one of your contacts, meaning have you’ll just have to work that little bit harder.

Develop Mutual Respect

This takes time to do as we prove ourselves over time and through different activities. The best way to go about this tip would be to join a professional group or online community. You could also attend networking events, or even create your own events. This will slowly but surely build up your reputation and contacts.

Vulnerability

Helping contacts in their time of need will strengthen your relationship with them. It should also mean that they will help you, should you need it in the future. However, it is important to remember that this vulnerability is best shared with only a select number of people. Make sure to use good judgement for this tip!

Let Go of Expectations

Never go into a potential new relationship with unrealistic expectations. Make sure to have an open mind and never make assumptions. You should accept people as who they are, not who you wish them to be. Making assumptions will lead to disappointment.

Fair Trade

Offer something to your potential or existing business relationships before you ask for something. When you educate, help or inspire others through your own experiences and knowledge, you build a foundation for trust. Trust is one of the most important elements of any relationship. Blogging, workshops and webinars are all good examples. This tip will also help with the trust of your brand.

By making good business relationship connections you are putting your business at the top of your competitors. We've already said that there is strength in numbers and this, I think, we can all agree on. Dale Carnegie, author of ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’, wrote that “you can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people, than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” This quote sums up how you should approach an existing or potential business relationship; by being yourself and thinking of others.