Build Better Business Relationships By Going First

If you’re in business, relationships matter. How do you build better business relationships? Some might believe that good relationships just happen, and yes, sometimes they do, but a conscious effort to get things started will likely yield better results.

Once upon a time people talked about the power of the word-of-mouth. The concept is (or was) that people talk, they mostly talk to other people, and they’ll often tell people about other people. We still have this blessing (or curse) only it has greatly extended its reach through social media channels.

Today we have what might be called world-of-mouth. Most of the concepts are very similar or perhaps still the same, the big difference is the size of the audience, the reach of everything that is posted, shared, clicked, liked, loved, or hated. It’s all out there, it’s everywhere.

Building positive relationships by word-of-mouth or world-of-mouth can be complex, but how these relationships develop often circles back to some of the basics.

We’re in a fast paced society and one of the best ways to improve your results is by stepping up and going first.

Going First

This concept is so important that I thought it would be best present some of these ideas through some very relevant examples. Here are a few:

1. Extend a hand. True for live face-to-face greetings or even metaphorically for someone who needs help. When you are greeting someone for the first time, or the hundredth time, reach out shake hands, smile, and give a warm friendly greeting.
2. Speak up. The elephant in the room will sabotage your relationships and business deals faster than a teenager can send a tweet. Be eloquent, be graceful, and be respectful but don’t be too shy about bringing forward issues or concerns.
3. Call first. In some ways it might be like dating. You wait to see who calls who first, let it be you. It doesn’t matter if this is a telephone call, an email, or even a text message. Keep the lines of communication open and don’t be shy about being the first to act.
4. Recommend. We are talking about business right? Recommend your business colleagues, associates, vendors, and clients. Regardless of your role, business means business, be the first to recommend someone else.
5. Congratulate. Everyone is working hard. Today very few in any business climate are hardly working. Be respectful and congratulate the positive results of others, always work to build everyone up not tear others down.

Better Business Relationships

Do you wish you had better business relationships?

There is an old meme, “You don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to become great.”

Building any relationship takes time. You won’t do it over night. Social media relationships matter too, but your number of friends, followers, or connections are only as relevant as the quality and the integrity of what you build.

If you truly want to build better relationships, start early, go first.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a four-time author and some of his work includes, Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce and Pivot and Accelerate, The Next Move Is Yours! Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

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