![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
When should you create a foundation in order to solidify a business relationship?
Before you bond any business relationship, you need to make sure that this is a relationship that you both want to have. No relationship is a one way street; the relationship must work in both directions. You must have expertise that the client needs and they must have the resources to reward you for those services. You should never try to downplay your offerings with deep discounts, changes in what you provide, or any other thing that will decrease your value. The client must value what you have to offer through payment. Pro Bono work in the beginning to prove yourself will only harm you and the relationship you are trying to cultivate. If you do free work, then the value of your expertise will be limited and the customer will likely not want to pay your going rate.
If the client values what you have to offer and is willing to enter into a contractual agreement for services, then the relationship is worth bonding. You can bond a relationship by offering to work on a value based fee system which will not limit access to you during business hours and also give you freedom to conduct your work within the time frame given. This type of system also prevents micromanagement of how you spend your time. If you charge an hourly rate, then your value has changed to "how many hours can I afford" and "I want to know what that person is doing everyday for the money I am paying". A value based fee system will allow you to bond the relationship.
Checklists
How many business relationships do you currently have? ______
List at least 5 businesses that you would like to target for business over the next few months.
______________________________________________________________
_________________ _____________________________________________
________________________________________________ ______________
______________________________________________________________
__________ ____________________________________________________
If you know, who is the name of the person that you need to form a solid business relationship with?
______________________________________________________________
___________________ ___________________________________________
__________________________________________________ ____________
______________________________________________________________
What do you need to know about each of the people you listed in order to form a type of "bond"?
______________________________________________________________
_______ _______________________________________________________
______________________________________ ________________________
______________________________________________________________
What things do you like to do and discuss? Are any of these items that can help you form a business relationship?
______________________________________________________________
___________ ___________________________________________________
__________________________________________ ____________________
______________________________________________________________
Bett e Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://www.BlueprintBooks.com
Consistency is a huge word when operating your business. I... Read More
There is a continual trend we are seeing which I... Read More
We hear a lot of talk about junk mail nowadays.... Read More
When small businesses fail, the wreckage is often assigned to... Read More
Everyone is talking about small businesses. In 1993, when it... Read More
Pity parties are nothing new. In fact, we do it... Read More
"What do you do?" It just might be one of... Read More
What could Seinfeld possibly have to do with marketing a... Read More
It is estimated that 78% of all small business start-ups... Read More
Purchasing a franchise has become one of the most popular... Read More
There are several well-known truck washes in the Great State... Read More
Did you know that satisfaction is the number one emotion... Read More
It is an American dream to own a business. But... Read More
Are you responsible for your results?What comes to mind when... Read More
A solopreneur I know disappears from my radar screen for... Read More
Many auto detailers fall short in their sales presentations. I... Read More
No matter type of business you operate you've got to... Read More
What is a guru?A guru is a teacher. A mentor.... Read More
What is a Family Business? A family business is basically... Read More
Should your business have a toll free number for customers... Read More
Discover How Specialized Cost Containment Creates A New Win-Win Position... Read More
Q: I really want to start my own business, but... Read More
As small business managers, we juggle limited resources in a... Read More
Whether your target audience is in your neighborhood or across... Read More
How do you find the best business partners?Finding a good... Read More
We love Wichita because it has great all round weather... Read More
Start thinking about buying an established business if you want... Read More
The choice to incorporate a small business in Florida has... Read More
Company mottos can easily be printed on a business card.Sometimes... Read More
Should you buy a business opportunity or Franchise if you... Read More
Remember the cleaning business is all about time ratio to... Read More
You need to be visible to attract customers, right? But... Read More
My clients and many of my readers are small and... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --An effective and compelling... Read More
It appears the mini-blimp indoor theme and concept is making... Read More
All legitimate home business entrepreneurs insist and announce loud and... Read More
Approximately 200,000 new businesses are started each year. More people... Read More
I meet and talk to hundreds and hundreds of business... Read More
1. Leadership Is Learned ? While many people appear to... Read More
There are many factors to be considered when you are... Read More
Habit: A consistent behavior you perform so frequently that it... Read More
The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) is a program that... Read More
I'll be the first to admit that I went a... Read More
You've come up with the best idea since sliced bread,... Read More
The following are six essential skills to business success. You... Read More
Pressure washing companies must look for customers in the retail... Read More
Small business owners can relieve a lot of their own... Read More
What would happen if you decided to take an extended... Read More
Over the years I heard the best way to learn... Read More
Washing manufactured homes, mobile homes, can be a lucrative and... Read More
Small Business Small Business |