Why Do We Build Relationships?

Most of us spend a lot of time meeting new people and managing our existing relationships. Why is it that we do this? What is in it for us?  Here are a few reasons to consider:

Build a Support System
When we have challenges in life it is important that we have a support system of trusted people who we can go to for advice.  Also, this support system is great for sharing good news.

Develop Friendships
One of the benefits of building quality relationships is that many of these people become friends. It is important to always grow your sphere of people in your life.

Sense of Accomplishment
With networking, you should always be finding ways to help others. Therefore, you will feel a sense of accomplishment when you positively help someone.

Demonstrate Your Expertise
The more we develop relationships, the more people will see us as subject matter experts. You need to share with people what you know so they can make introductions and provide opportunities for you.

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How to Look Like Less of a Jackass at Lunch Meetings

This is a pretty simple post in what might become a series (depending on the response).

As a freelance designer I work from my home (as I’m sure many of my readers do as well, even though many aren’t designers). As I’d like to make a good impression on all of my current and potential clients, I don’t invite them into my house when we have to get together to discuss a project. It’s just unprofessional.

So I’m often meeting clients for lunch. Over the years I’ve learned a few things about lunch meetings, some I’m sure you’ve heard, others I’m sure you haven’t. Just thought I’d take a few moments to share some of my secrets on how to avoid looking like a jackass during lunch meetings.

You Can Eat – But Eat Light

I don’t agree with all of the commentary I’ve seen suggesting that when on a lunch meeting you shouldn’t eat at all. I’ve been on both sides of the table. I can tell you that if I’m a buyer, I like it when the vendor I’m working with isn’t all business. Idle chit chat is nice, but nothing says informal meeting quite like shoving a sandwich into your face.

But don’t overdo it. You don’t want to look like a jackass, after all. A couple foods to avoid would be … Read the rest of this entry

Getting The Word Out About Your Business

Long overlooked in favor of other forms of marketing, word of mouth is back in a big way, and is a sure way to kick your sales into high gear if you do it effectively.

Word of mouth has always been a source of business—in fact, at one time, it was the only way that people found out about a product or service. Long overlooked in favor of other forms of marketing, word of mouth is back in a big way, and is a sure way to kick your sales into high gear if you do it effectively.

Virtually every business owner understands the role that word of mouth plays in their growth. Very few, however, think of it as something to proactively manage to capture sales. Some people think of it in only in terms of customer service: Customers who are happy will pass your name along to others because they’re just so darn happy.

Think about it, though. Do your happy clients talk spontaneously about your company to their networks? Not likely. It’s the unhappy customers who most often do the talking. In terms of customer service, the kind of word of mouth we are most concerned about is the negative kind, not the business-building kind.

Another off-base idea that business owners have about word of mouth is that it is a natural force, something that has a bearing on the business but over which they have little control. Here are some proactive ways to increase word of mouth about your company, products and services:

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