Connections Healthcare Strategies

Tips For Building Strong Business Relationships

Tips For Building Strong Business RelationshipsBuilding strong business relationships is key to the success of any business. Whether you are a small practice owner or small business owner, or you have grown over the years, the importance of relationships in business remains the same. 

Oftentimes as we get caught up in our day-to-day work, we lose sight of what comes at the foundation of every business. It is relationships with other people (that we sometimes otherwise call patients, clients, customers or referral sources.) So, when we talk here about business relationships, we are talking about all of those. 

[Related article: The Importance of Relationship Marketing]

Also, keep in mind that those relationships can be both in person and/or online. There are people on the other end of that computer screen receiving your messages. They expect a good relationship too.

Here are three tips for building strong business relationships.

Listening and communication. Often when we speak we think that people are hearing what we are saying, but they might not be. They might be more concerned about what it is that they have to say, and so an important part of communication is listening. In your next conversation, make listening a priority and focus instead of simple communicating.

Make it more about “them” than “you”. Have you heard the saying, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care?” It is true in life and in business. If you keep the conversation and relationship one-sided, the other party will quickly lose interest. Make it more about them than you and you will gain their loyalty and trust.

Surpass expectations. Under promise and over deliver. Go the extra mile. However you state it or however you look at it, when you give them more than what they expect, you win them over and strengthen your credibility in the relationship.

[Get inspired: 5 Quotes To Inspire Your Business Relationship Building Skills]

The benefit to being a small business owner when it comes to building strong business relationships is that you can reach people on a more personal level. Larger corporations have a difficult time humanizing customers and relationships. As a small business owner, you can use this to your advantage to gain an edge over the competition.

All of these things are rooted in trust, which is the key to building strong business relationships. Just remember when it comes to building strong business relationships, it’s not a sprint. It’s a marathon. 

For help with building strong business relationships that matter the most for your business, put the team of relationship marketing experts at Connections Healthcare Strategies to work for you. To get started, schedule your strategy session today.