I build relationships and not businesses, although I am in business?

July 14th, 2009 | Author:

Those who sit with me at local Indianapolis C.A.S.N. meetings know, I love the business world and working for myself. They also know that I do not try to sell services or products at these meetings. Strange I know, most come to a meeting hoping to get new business but I almost always leave with no new business. Could this be a sign I am doing something wrong?

When I started my business a couple years ago, I took on a idea of how I was going to do business. Now, I am sure this is no new idea and not something I invented but it is something I challenge others to do. My idea was to simply not focus on building my business but to instead strictly focus on building relationships.

My reasons.

1. I knew building relationships was going to be a lot easier than building a business.

2. I knew more about relationships at the time than I did running my own business.

3. The best things in life grow from some form of relationship.

4. Finally, I figured if I treated each potential and new client like a marriage and the client saw this, then it would mean until death do us part. (Bad analogy I know since so many marriages fail but the good ones do survive and are very special)

So how has it worked out for me? It has been awesome! I have not only had the chance to meet some great people but I have learned much more and feel I have some of the best people around me. I find the relationships to be extremely valuable and find my clients are happier.