I have enjoyed working with people for quite some time now. I love to listen to new ideas and meet new people. There is always someone in a group eager to share a thought on many types of subjects. If you have a thought to share, how do you approach someone? Are you abrupt and just blurt it out? Do you wait for that right moment and lay it out? Do you open the discussion to allow for open thoughts?
People will tend to be more receptive when you share your thoughts in such means as “hey, I have tried that before, may I share what happened…” Many people are not as receptive to “Um I see, I will tell you what you should do, it should be done this way and….” That usually goes in one ear and then right out of the other. Asking for their permission to share your thoughts will subconsciously open their minds to listen to you. They have given you permission to share so therefore they will want to listen and focus on you. If you want to build a true relationship with someone, you must present yourself as someone who wishes to serve the other. I say this because I fully believe that a true relationship only exists if the two people are there to serve each other. Why should someone help you grow your business if you are not willing to prove that you are there to do the same for them? You must be 100% invested in building the relationship between you and the other person.


Let me ask another question. You are at a networking event. You have shaken hands with maybe ten people that night. What are you going to do tomorrow? Are those contacts going to sit on your desk because you need to catch up on emails? How do you expect to start building a bridge with someone if you do not begin the follow up process? Have you heard this quote before, “Out of sight, out of mind?” People will forget who you are in a matter of weeks or possibly in a matter of days if you do not reach out to them. I have benefited more in relationship building by sending a card or email to someone I have met the very next day. I will then make a phone call to them a few weeks after that. I ask how they are doing, is there anything exciting going on right now, and how I might be able help them. In my experience, once we have begun building that bridge together, and I show them that I would like to be an advocate for them to help grow their business, good things start to happen in return. They too will begin being a voice for me when they see an opportunity. That is what it is all about to me. How can I help you?


I hope you might take a new thought or perception from this short note. Relationship building takes work and can have some amazing results that will enrich your life on so many different levels. I wish you well and always look for that opportunity to build a bridge with someone.


What do you feel are the important steps in the "begining" part of making a connection? And how do you maintain or take it to the next level or growth?