5 Ways to Build Strong, Lasting Business Relationships

In today’s competitive world, strong and lasting business relationships are critical to business success. Since lasting business relationships don’t happen overnight, they require dedicated amounts of time, energy and effort.

Here are 5 ways to build strong and lasting business relationships in an ever changing business world.

1. Be Yourself – Let’s face the facts, it’s easy to create an alter ego online. This is not a good way to begin relationships when more and more people search for and qualify people and companies online. Communicating your true personality, experience, beliefs and points of view can only help build a strong relationship. Your online persona should let others get to know your authentic self.
   
   
2. Develop Mutual Respect – To know someone well enough to respect them can take significant time unless you have someone who can refer you. Referrals are essential to building business relationships. There are few things better than an introduction from a mutually respected business colleague who knows you and people you want to meet.
   
   
3. Be the “Go-To” Person – When business professionals are looking for advice, you want to be the “go-to” person to help them. Whether it’s for a job search, business needs or a referral, people should like you and know they can count on you to support them.
   
   
4. Set Realistic Expectations – Be open-minded to accept people and situations for what they are and not how you want them to be. Let go of preconceived expectations and go with the flow as you build relationships. Being likable is a way to show you’re open to learning and your input will be better received.
   
   
5. Offer Before Asking – Educate, inspire and support others with your experience and expertise.  This helps build a foundation for trust that leads to lasting relationships. Communicate and share your thought leadership via LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, speaking engagements, webinars, etc. Serving and helping others builds trust. And trust is necessary for you to build strong, lasting relationships.

Be sure to comment and share other ways that you’ve been successful in building strong, lasting business relationships.  If you’re not already a member, please join our discussion group!  Thank you!