This may come as a shock to you, but you CANNOT build a successful business without having strong business relationships.
There are some entrepreneurs out there who feel as though they can do everything on their own, well they are 100% wrong.
It’s possible that you may not need someone to help you through every step of the way, though having a solid support system will make the entrepreneurial journey easier, and you will need to build business relationships with customers or clients.
Without those business relationships, you won’t ever succeed.
That might be a tough pill to swallow, but it’s true.
I will tell you this, some of my biggest business successes have come from the help of some of my business relationships. It’s also important to note that having business relationships and utilizing those in an authentic way is A-OK. It doesn’t make you dishonest or lazy, it makes you smart!
Back in May, I attended an event called the Secret Knock. It was an event I had really been looking forward to, but had no idea what was in store for me.
At the beginning I met a guy named Eric and we hit off, we created a new connection by sharing our different expertises.
I had mentioned I’m looking for unique guests for my podcast, Success Unfiltered! We also got to talking about how I had pitched on Shark Tank. Eric asked me if I knew Kevin Harrington (one of the original Sharks). I didn’t know Kevin, but I was a huge fan!
Turns out, my new friend Eric was a friend of the famous former Shark, so I asked if he’d introduce me.
Not only did Eric say YES, he also said… “Let’s do it right NOW!”
Eric shot a quick selfie video so that I could say “hello” and then he texted it off to Kevin himself, and copied me on the text.
Not only was I going to get the opportunity to meet my person of interest, I got his cell phone number, too!
All because I took the time to chat with someone new in the spirit of service and connection.
And, guess what!? I got my opportunity to interview Mr. Harrington, for Success Unfiltered.
Networking is priceless. You never know who you might meet. And that one person that you casually strike up a chat with just might change your business!
Building authentic business relationships is SO important, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation next time you’re in line at Starbucks. You just never know who you might meet!
Know, Like and Trust
At the age of 24, my guest on Success Unfiltered, Arlene Battishill was working in the corporate world. She took her job very seriously and saw no reason to joke around or have fun.
In fact, she was always bothered by the fact that the senior managers were in such high positions when all it seemed they did was fool around, while Arlene worked her butt off.
Well hindsight is 20/20, and Arlene now realizes that while fooling around may not have been her cup of tea back then, she realizes now that there are dynamics to the workplace and even in the marketplace. Those dynamics have EVERYTHING to do with the relationships that are being built.
These are the pre-existing relationships that are built on time, trust and loyalty. People want to work with others that they know, like and trust.
When Arlene came onto the scene at her corporate job, she knew she was smart and capable, but it wasn’t enough, she needed those relationships that she had been hesitant to create with the guys at her job.
There are always going to be people that you don’t like, or want to avoid, but it’s important to try and find those that you do connect with, and then build solid, loyal relationships with them.
Learn How to Play in the Sandbox
Being an entrepreneur is NO different. Being the smartest, doesn’t make you better than anyone else, what makes you stand apart, is being the one who can play in the sandbox with everyone else, and actually enjoy your time in it.
Business and trust is built in the sandbox, aka: the business relationships you’re working on building.
Once you’ve built those business relationships, you NO longer have to prove yourself. People will know and understand what you have to offer and what you bring to the table.
Arlene admits to being too busy trying to prove herself in any environment she worked in, that she missed out on building those relationships.
I know that networking and building authentic business relationships are a huge topic around The Pitch Queen foundation, but that’s because it is literally THE BEST way to help your business grow.
In Conclusion
No matter who you’re working with, or selling to, the core of every sale is the relationship you’ve built with that person.
People want to buy from those they know, like and trust. At the end of the day, this trumps anything else!
I’ll be honest, it doesn’t matter how much you know, there are people who are brilliant people but make no sales because they’ve never built relationships.
What is one thing can you put into action TODAY to start building authentic business relationships? Tell me in the comments!
