11 Nov 09 Finding Business Contacts

In a struggling economy, networking should be a top priority for you, especially if it hasn’t been in the past. You need business contacts, no matter where you are on the chain. Through business contacts, you open up the possibility that you will be able to find better work. Your business contacts are also great to have should you ever lose your current job. Basically, these are professional associates from different organizations that you regularly keep contact with.

But to get business contacts, first you have to find them. A business contact can be remarkably useful down the line in your career. These relationships are great because they are mutually beneficial. Think about your skill set and what you could offer to help someone else. From anything like advice, to career prospect options, what do you have to give?

How much you can commit to providing will dictate what sort of business relationship you can form. As business contacts are a two way street, you have to have something to bring to the table. Try using websites like LinkedIn. They are social networking resources for professionals and can be a good start for anybody.

Make sure you have business cards with you all the time. Whenever you’re in the appropriate scenario, like a work related conference or event, they will be very useful. Meeting people is great at the moment, but you need a way to keep in contact beyond. A business card is the fastest and easiest way to do just that. Not to mention it’s the most professional route. Professionalism always gets you bonus points.

Remember to keep your ears open all the time. Pay attention in the break rooms, and when you’re eating lunch. You could find a great new business contact in a different department. Somebody you were completely unaware of, and someone you could benefit from.

From there it’s as simple as maintaining the relationship. If you want to be able to get trusted information from them, you have to provide the same. Don’t hesitate to inform them of news around the company. From job openings, etc. Let them know what’s going on around you, and the opportunities available, and they will do the same.

Tags: Bonus Points, Business Card, Business Cards, Business Contact, Business Contacts, Business Relationship, Career Prospect, Ears, Lunch, Meeting People, Networking Resources, New Business, Pay Attention, Professional Associates, Professionalism, Related Conference, Relationships, Skill Set, Social Networking, Top Priority

Filed in Business, Career Management with 0 Comments

15 Jul 09 Building Lasting Business Relationships

Building up lasting business relationships with clients is the best and most surefire way to strengthen your business, and ensure future growth. Through managing and building relationships that you already have, the company gets a better reputation, and also helps you grow as you keep the old clients in addition to adding new ones. Long lasting business relationships can be hard to manage at times, but the payoffs are well worth any of the headaches on your road to setting that foundation.

When you’re attempting to set up what could be a long term relationship between your company and a client, one of the first things to remember is to always keep a certain amount of your focus on them. Never forget about former business associates in your quest to gain new ones, as that will make you stray away from your guaranteed business. It’s never a good idea to give up a guaranteed client by threatening your relationship with them using a new marketing campaign to attract new clients, that doesn’t focus or apply to them. Never forget the people that helped you in the past.

One way to end a relationship quick is to make promises you cannot keep, as that’s essentially the same as lying, and nobody wants to be lied to, especially in a business relationship. Only make commitments to your clients that you know you or your company are capable of keeping/following through. This way you don’t raise expectations to unrealistic levels from your clients, and you are always given goals that you can achieve, making yourself look all the better to an established clientele.

Always ask for feedback, this way you can learn what a client is expecting from you or your company. This will also allow you to correct any inadequacies that they may see within your corporation, saving a client that may have gone elsewhere had you been left unaware and unable to fix a problem that they had.

Finally, have fun. Clients are more likely to stay with a company enjoy the work that they are doing, as it shows a vested interest in the goals that they want you to accomplish. Nothing shows your willingness to provide a client with their desired outcome, like your desire to do your job.

Tags: Building Relationships, Business Associates, Business Relationship, Business Relationships, Clientele, Commitments, Headaches, Inadequacies, Long Term Relationship, Marketing Campaign, New Business, New Marketing, Payoffs, Promises, Reputation, Unrealistic Levels

Filed in Business Ideas with 0 Comments

15 Jul 09 Building Lasting Business Relationships

Translator

Recent Posts

IT List Favorites

Categories

Gossimer Press Releases

Gossimer Promotions and Announcements