Manage Your Relationships for Business Success
Though we receive little training in this area, building and maintaining our personal and business relationships can be crucial to our success. Studies have shown that those of us who are considered likable are more likely to be hired for jobs or awarded new business. Spending some time learning to improve your communications and relationship skills is time well spent.
Because there have so many critical ethics violations by large corporations, there has been a new call for businesses to be "transparent"-that is radically honest. Studies have shown that customers are more loyal to companies that make mistakes, quickly admit them and fix the problem than they are to companies who never made a mistake. Be as transparent as possible with your customers, vendors and employees to improve your reputation.
Be sure that when you are interacting with others that you are maintaining eye contact. This lets the speaker know you are paying attention and really listening. It is annoying and disheartening to see the person you are speaking to glancing around the room while you are talking. Maintaining eye contact is a small, but important way to make the person feel valued.
It is important in building relationships to get to know the people you are involved with. You do this by asking them questions about their lives and their interests. It is surprising how few people do this and it is an easy way to gain loyalty, from both customers and employees. Get to really know the people around you and your business will prosper.
Learn to read body language. There is plenty of information available so that you can learn to pick up on the subtle communication that people send out non-verbally. Crossed arms, lack of attention, and how someone is holding their head are all cues on how they are feeling and, when it comes to sales or relationship management, can help you identify problems early on.
Don't be stingy with praise. Notice and point out the positives about other people. Dale Carnegie wrote How to Win Friends and Influence People more than 50 years ago and it's advice stands the test of time. Find something positive to (genuinely) point out in everyone you meet. Whether it is something they are wearing or how they handled a customer, being diligent in praising others makes you a more likable person.
Always stay open to the input or criticism of others. By allowing that, you set an example for others and set a standard for honesty and accountability. Both of these help create strong relationships in both your personal and business life. Sometimes this small, but important skill set is what sets your business apart.
Because there have so many critical ethics violations by large corporations, there has been a new call for businesses to be "transparent"-that is radically honest. Studies have shown that customers are more loyal to companies that make mistakes, quickly admit them and fix the problem than they are to companies who never made a mistake. Be as transparent as possible with your customers, vendors and employees to improve your reputation.
Be sure that when you are interacting with others that you are maintaining eye contact. This lets the speaker know you are paying attention and really listening. It is annoying and disheartening to see the person you are speaking to glancing around the room while you are talking. Maintaining eye contact is a small, but important way to make the person feel valued.
It is important in building relationships to get to know the people you are involved with. You do this by asking them questions about their lives and their interests. It is surprising how few people do this and it is an easy way to gain loyalty, from both customers and employees. Get to really know the people around you and your business will prosper.
Learn to read body language. There is plenty of information available so that you can learn to pick up on the subtle communication that people send out non-verbally. Crossed arms, lack of attention, and how someone is holding their head are all cues on how they are feeling and, when it comes to sales or relationship management, can help you identify problems early on.
Don't be stingy with praise. Notice and point out the positives about other people. Dale Carnegie wrote How to Win Friends and Influence People more than 50 years ago and it's advice stands the test of time. Find something positive to (genuinely) point out in everyone you meet. Whether it is something they are wearing or how they handled a customer, being diligent in praising others makes you a more likable person.
Always stay open to the input or criticism of others. By allowing that, you set an example for others and set a standard for honesty and accountability. Both of these help create strong relationships in both your personal and business life. Sometimes this small, but important skill set is what sets your business apart.
About the Author:
With 30+ years consulting experience, Steven Schlagel provides training and coaching for startups, entrepreneurs and small business owners. Check his site for more articles to increase your success!
By Dimas Prast
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