Early in my consulting career I started telling people the consulting business is a relationship business. I was right, just a little short sighted.

Actually all business is a relationship business.

All work is a relationship business.

All leadership is a relationship business.

And while our focus in this article is on business or professional relationships, I believe you could say, at some level, life is a relationship business.

Regardless of how you would say it, it is hard to overlook the importance of relationships in all of our professional endeavors.

Having stronger relationships creates less stress, promotes higher productivity, improves speed and efficiency and helps our work in almost every measurable way.

Like most anything of great value, strong relationships don`t just show up on their own. If you want relationships at all, let alone better ones, you must do something. You must do your part, take responsibility and do the things that will build relationships for mutual benefit.

While there are many things you can do to nurture relationships, the seven that follow are things you can do – right now. And, when done consistently, authentically and with sincerity, each will help you nurture and grow the professional relationships you desire.

Make it a priority. If relationships are important to you, you must make them a priority. I know you are busy. I know you have plenty to do. I know that unless there is a major problem or conflict, relationships won`t logically show up as an urgent item on your to-do list. (If you have conflicts or an issue, you need a different article!) If relationships really are important to you, put your focus and your calendar where your mouth is. Spend time doing the things that will build relationships, rather than neglecting them. Neglecting relationships lead to weed-filled garden results. What`s that, you ask? A big mess!

Care. If you want to nurture relationships, you have to sincerely care about people, their thoughts and feelings, and their well being. It is often said (and I`ve seen the quote attributed to different people) “People don`t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Your professional expertise and knowledge matters, of course, but keep it in perspective. When you do, let people know you care. And if you really don`t care, you need to think long and hard about why that is true.

Make connections. Connections come in many forms. On one hand we need to connect with people on things that matter to them. This, of course, starts with caring. We also can make connections for people with other people. Once you know their interests and needs, you can introduce them to others, connect them to resources and/or connect them to anything else that would help them.

Be trusting. Want more trusting relationships? Trust others. Look for opportunities to show your trust, knowing that people tend to live up to the trust placed in them. Will you occasionally be disappointed? Sure. But will you build relationships further and faster in every other situation (and perhaps even in the relationship where you are disappointed)? Absolutely.

Expect the best. Much like trust, you can expect the best of other people. People can tell when you are being cynical or have low expectations. People can also feel it when they know you believe in them and have confidence that they can succeed. Ask yourself – how often do I truly expect the best for others? And, when I do, do I let them know?

Listen. It seems so simple, yet it is most often overlooked. Think about any person you know, and realize that they likely yearn to be really listened to. Do you ever feel that way? And how do you feel about another person when they really listen to you? If you are like every person I`ve ever met, when you are listened to it strengthens the relationship with that person. You can do that for others – anytime (including right now). LISTEN!

Take the lead. Inherent in all of these suggestions is one important element. If you want to nurture relationships in whatever way you choose, you can go first. Relationships won`t grow unless someone takes action. Be the one to go first. Make the first move. Offer the olive branch. Make the apology. Ask the first question. You get the idea. Take the lead.

These are just 7 of probably 107 (or more) strategies you can use to nurture your relationships and help them grow. I encourage you to take personal responsibility for the quality and health of your relationships, today. All of these tools can help you take that responsibility and take your relationships to a higher level now – and forever.

Remarkable leaders know the quality of their relationships directly impacts their leadership success. That is why many leaders build their relationship skills – and all other facets of leadership – by participating in The Remarkable Leadership Learning System – a one skill at a time, one month at a time approach to becoming a more confident and successful leader. Get $748.25 worth of leadership development materials including two months of that unique system as part of Kevin Eikenberry’s Most Remarkable Free Leadership Gift Ever today at http://MostRemarkableFreeLeadershipGiftEver.com. Kevin is a bestselling author, speaker, trainer, consultant and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group (http://www.KevinEikenberry.com).

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I often start my speeches by asking members of my audiences, “What business are you in?” I usually get a whole range of answers, even from within the same company, and they are very insightful. I really only ask the question to remind them of one thing — they are in the people business. We are all in the people business.

People do business with people they like. That’s it — not the lowest prices, the most established company or the one with the biggest budget or fanciest ad campaign. If we like and trust someone, they will get our business. We are all in the people business.

Building relationships has always been the foundation of any business, but it has become increasingly important as those relationships have become increasingly visible. The work life and home life line is blurred with social media like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn becoming new portals into our lives. People are talking about your company. Shouldn’t you be at least listening? Shouldn’t you really be part of the conversation?

There used to be a huge work/home divide. People actually used phrases like, “Never mix business with pleasure.” If you still find yourself thinking or saying this, you may want to find a new career.

I often tell people that I have the best job in the world, but I know it’s a lie. I get to travel around the country making people laugh and make them feel differently about the way they work. I love what I do, but it’s only the best job in the world for me. You may shudder at the idea of speaking to thousands of people. That’s good. You don’t have to be like me; you have to be like you.

The workplace is increasingly becoming a place for individuals to shine. We are no longer expected to be just a worker following procedures but a unique individual bringing ideas, passion and our own strengths. It’s a whole new way of working. It’s a whole new way of thinking.

I look at it this way. No matter who you work for, you work for yourself. Someone else may write your paycheck, but every action your take shows people who you are. As you change jobs or move companies, you take that reputation with you. You are building a brand. Our company loyalty is fickle; our people loyalty is intact. We do business with people we like.

Are you in a position that plays to your strengths and lets you be who you really are? I hope you are smiling and saying to yourself, “Of course I am; why is she even asking that?”

If you are not yet following your passion, ask yourself some questions: What comes easily to you? What would you do if you didn’t need the money? How would you like to be remembered?

Whenever I choose a company or an individual to work with — from my hairdresser to my biggest clients — I ask one question. Do you love what you do? It’s my measure of how good they are going to be.

Aileen Bennett is a professional speaker and author who is obsessed with communication. For more information, go to www.thatspeaker.com. She can be reached at aileen@thatspeaker.com.

Article Source:  Building Relationships

Talk Shoppe Presentation by Shelley Baur, Noted Author and Speaker

Building Your Relationships-and Your Business-with Integrity-Based Communications from Judy Burda on Vimeo.

However, the quote, in my opinion, is faulty. If everyone acts righteous in personal relationships and no one ever utters I am sorry, when trouble brews, I believe this is a recipe for disaster. Without hearing an apology, the offended person will begin to stew over the issue, there will be a long-term simmering and finally, like a pressure cooker not carefully watched, an explosion will occur.

The same concept is true for business. Everyone is human and sooner or later we will make a mistake, like forgetting to follow-up at a designated time or misunderstanding what the other person meant.

Just as the little things can break up a marriage, so can the little things break up a business relationship. Your best course of action is to take action to avert the stewing, simmering and ultimate explosion.

Rather than indignation, your first reaction should be to immediately utter, I am sorry. Follow that brief statement with, That was not my intention, how can I (we) fix it?

Once you take ownership of a bad situation, strive to fix it. The second part of taking ownership, is to do it with a smile. Your smile will put the other person at ease. Your swift actions will present you as ethical and trustworthy, and when the other person arrives at this conclusion, you will be the vendor of choice for the long-term.

If you dislike apologizing, you can minimize mishaps in the future by taking these steps:

When someone begins to communicate with you, Stop, Listen or Read carefully and Question. Dig deep with questions to get their true meaning.

Learn the rules and processes of the other person for doing business together. Write their list down on paper so that you have it to refer to. Once the list is finished, ask, Is there anything else you would like to add?  This demonstrates, within reason, you are willing to abide by their rules and are truly interested in becoming a model vendor.

The point is, when you begin asking questions, the other party realizes you are interested in working hard on their behalf. The likelihood of conducting business will greatly increase as will the size of the sale.

As in all relationships, business is a two-way street. You are as equally important as the customer. If  the relationship is not 50-50, the person with the lesser percentage loses and will feel lost. This next question will pinpoint whether or not the other party is truly interested in conducting business with you.

Ask, If I abide by your rules and I able to produce everything you require will you seriously consider me or my company for your next vendor?

The above question demands that your prospect be honest about intentions of doing business with you. You are a professional and deserve the respect in return.

By not asking these types of questions due to fear, you are opening yourself up to risk. The risk will be in the form of letting others take advantage of you by leading you on without intent of ever purchasing. Most importantly, you will be wasting too many hours of precious time.

It is critical to get a reading on how interested the other party truly is in working with you. Your income depends upon it and you must know whether you are wasting your time or spending quality time with your prospect building your relationship.

If the getting to know you process is taking far longer than it should, and you begin to have doubts, test the waters of intent. You have every right to do so. Suggest to your prospect they begin with the smallest unit of product or service. Follow this question with the following statement, if it provides you with everything I say I will, may wethen move to larger units for your entire company.

This last statement most often will work to get your prospect off of the fence. If a favorable decision cannot be made on your behalf, it is either time to find someone else in the company who can make a decision or find a better prospect. In the end, you are in control of your destiny. It is up to you to keep pursuing!

Article Source:  New Business Ideas

I am sitting in my local coffee shop (a big brand, not Sbux) and wondering what I want to blog about. I am the only customer sitting in here on a Saturday afternoon, so perhaps the employees forgot about me.  What disturbs me is the LOUD conversation I am hearing behind the counter.

“Wow, can you believe three limos of high school students pulled up the other night after their dance and we had to make a whole bunch of lattes, iced teas, and frozen drinks? It took forever to close!”

“Some huge PTA group came in the other day at 8:30 pm and promised they would help put the chairs back when they were done. They finally left at 9 pm, and the place was a mess.  We didn’t get out of there for ages that night. How rude.”

“Julie was in here and was so drunk, we closed the doors early and put chairs in front of them so no one would come in.”

I am very tempted to stand up and say, “Hey, guys and gals, I write a blog on the customer experience, and I am not too impressed right now!”

I don’t think they realize that every word they are saying reflects on the business. They don’t seem to want to put in a little extra effort to service large orders late at night because it inconveniences them. They don’t seem to be glad that I am here at all; they are too busy with their own “social hour” behind the counter.

You’re On Stage

You can spend a lot of money building up your brand and creating a cool logo. You can market the latest coffee drinks and specials to all your local customers. You can build a fabulous customer loyalty program to reward your best customers.  However, if your employees are not doing their part to support the business, it is all a waste of money.

Great customer service happens every minute, even when no one seems to be looking. At Disneyland, they call their employees Cast Members (CMs) and tell them they are “on stage” whenever they go into any area where their customers (guests) can see or hear them.  A customer’s perception is a critical part of whether their experience is positive or negative.  Every employee contributes to that perception, every minute, regardless of whether they are behind the counter, a rep on the phone, or a member of the cleaning staff.  On that last item, even the janitorial staff at Disney participates in one of the park’s most popular activities, Pin Trading; check out this post from a Disney discussion forum:

At WDW (Walt Disney World) even the janitor CMs had pin lanyards on. The best places we found for pins was at Crystal Palace and Cosmic Ray’s. The manager at Cosmic Ray’s actually got on his radio and requested that all CMs that had lanyards and were available to please come over so a young man could trade with them. Talk about some pixie dust!

Customers Rock! take: Treat your employees like gold, and they will take care of your customers. Hire customer service employees who are people with a passion for serving others.  And remind them all that anytime they are potentially visible or within earshot of customers, they are still “on stage”!

Article Source:  http://amazingserviceguy.com/2709/in-customer-service-you-are-always-on-stage/

Your success in every area of life will be influenced by the relationships you develop and maintain. The ability to communicate and converse with confidence and clarity is a key trait that will help you get to the top of your profession and field.

Without making these business relationships or connections you may find your leads and work drying up in these challenging times. Now more than ever, your focus on getting out from behind your desk and into networking and conversing with others in business is critical to your future success.

It’s a commonly used phrase that people do business with people they ‘know, like and trust’ and your ability to converse and connect with others is the best way to establish this.

Here’s some quick tips to help you when you get out there and get networking:

o Listen carefully to what the other person is saying. Use your ears and mouth proportionately to hear the real meaning behind the persons words, notice body language, pace and tone as they will hold the clues to understanding them. The art of conversation begins with the ability to listen to others before you speak effectively.

o Treat the other person with respect. Communication is like a dance between two parties so be respectful in how you speak and listen. The way to form mutually beneficial relationships is to earn people’s liking and respect. This requires spending time with them, being attentive and respectful.

o Focus on building the relationship first. Avoid switching into sales mode the moment you meet a new contact, it will only chase them away. Spend time first on small talk before moving onto the purpose of the conversation. People who spend time getting to know others usually find more professional and personal fulfilment.

You’ve heard the old saying… ‘it’s not what you know but who you know”. So how many times has this proved true for you in your career and business?

By taking the time to tweak your positive communication and conversation skills you will improve your personal brand and begin to notice a dramatic difference in the way other people perceive you.

Yours in prosperity, passion and purpose

Cheers

Heidi Alexandra Pollard

The Professional Communicators Coach

visit us at http://www.leadingvalue.net

or [http://www.boostyourcareer.com.au]

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http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Art-of-Conversation-in-Building-Business-Relationships&id=2414340