Key to Business Relationships – Give But Don’t Expect

I have received several questions recently on business relationships – building them, maintaining them and the best way to maximize them.

Take a moment to think of all the key business relationships in your life.    They might include your accountant, your lawyer, current clients, etc.  Do you have deep connections with these people?  Do they refer you business?  Do you take any time to nurture these relationships?

The one key to making business relationships worthwhile and fulfilling is to give, but don’t expect anything in return.  The more you give, the more you will get in the end.

When you meet someone for the first time, do you immediately try to sell him or her your services?  This is the wrong tactic.  Give them something useful and relevant.  This can be information, a key lead or something helpful.  Then you can build on that.

When you haven’t heard from a client or potential client in a while, figure out ways to bring yourself to the top of mind with that particular person.  You can also try to bring useful leave-behind materials when attending a networking event that might help that person in some way.  Months or years down the road, these small giving items have had much greater rewards then expected.

Next time you are thinking about that business relationship and wondering how you can nurture it, give them something useful.  The key is not to expect anything in return.  You will soon receive responses and returns that you never knew were possible.

JustRED it here.

“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us everyday.” – Sally Koch