Positive Relationships in Business.

As your business grows and develops you will begin to network within your community. It is essential to put in the time and effort to do so and build positive relationships in business and learn to engage and be selective and consistent in these relationships can be the key to your business succeeding or failing.

Always put your best foot forward.

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and get your business on the map. Taking the initiative and reaching out to your neighbours, whether they are businesses, community groups or individual customers and building those relationships early on are the first steps in building sustainability in your business. Be authentic, find groups that share your values, personality, beliefs, and point of view. This can help accelerate your connection to the community you are marketing to.

Offering something before asking for something

is another good way to build trust for your brand especially in the beginning. Remember that “serving is the new selling” in this current climate and putting customers before your own needs will pay off with brand loyalty.

Be consistent,

turn up to events in your community, the more you are seen and take an active part, the more you are recognized. Soon you will become a regular and someone to look to within the community for leadership.

Reinvest in your community.

Buying local is not just a great way to reinvest in your neighbourhood but also a great opportunity to build your network and strengthen your ties to the community. This also leads to having your finger on the pulse of what’s going on around your business and can help you plan activities to be part of the bigger picture.

Join business groups and industry bodies.

Connecting to other business owners provides the opportunity for referrals for professional services such as accountants, business coaches, marketing consultants and things of that nature.

Be personal,

the idea that business and personal life can’t mix is a lie and it hinders the truth of why most people start businesses in the first place, to provide for themselves and their families. Creating spaces to be social with your community and interact with them outside of business lets people know that a life in business isn’t all about making money, it’s about adding value. Also, a lot of great businesses are family owned and operated and it can only help cement your place in the neighborhood.

Have realistic expectations.

Building positive relationships in business will not happen overnight it will take time, money and dedication and it may not always work out the way you hope, or you plan especially when it comes to people. Accepting people the way they are and not the way you want them to be will save a lot of heartache and pain but in relationships and in business you have to live, learn and grow to find the reward. Let’s face it, the reward is by far richer in the experience when we try than when we do nothing. So, get out there and give it a go.

If you would like to know more about how the team at Eagle Shared Services can help your business please connect with Darren Ellis on  LinkedIn.