Building Great & Lasting Business Relationships

By Tracey Mathers
TM Mentoring

Business is no longer just about service, it has become so much more as our competition grows and becomes stronger and more powerful. People now expect more from us, they expect great Business Relationships and the great news is it is really easy to deliver. So how is a relationship different to service, it is about long-term thinking not just short-term solutions.

You think about it, we work so hard to get new clients into our business, we look after them, we then do nothing after we have finished the job, and we have to then go after more new clients. If we worked smarter on developing our long-term relationships, we would move forward together in a lasting Relationship. Our focus needs to be on the long-term relationship building rather than just always focusing on the job currently at hand.

One of the big problems I see working with businesses today is what I call the lost opportunity moments through our own lack of vision, or the limitations that we decide to put on both ourselves and our clients.

Opportunity is not about us deciding what our client’s needs are but getting great communication happening and listening to what they are telling us their needs are, and then sharing our solution for them. After all anyone that sells something be a product or a service is an actual solution provider.

So often I see and hear the words “oh they would never use us” how do you know that if you don’t try. Don’t play the dangerous game of putting your clients into boxes on how you perceive them, you often will be very wrong. It is about having a very open mind to all opportunities and how you can help in either a very large way or even a small way just to get your foot in the door.

So what do we need to do going forward to have exceptional client relationships?

• Look at all opportunities with a very open mind
• Don’t you decide if you are right or not for the business let the client decide that
• Have great communication and listening skills
• Think differently
• Do as you say you will do in the time frame promised
• Keep clients up to date with progress reports
• Stay in touch when you are not working together (great if you can do this in an interesting way, for example sending them information that you come across that you think will be either interesting or help their business)
• Have regular catch ups to discuss future opportunities
• Handle the difficult situations quickly and efficiently
• Make sure all team members that need to be are kept up to date
• Build rapport and Trust and you will have them forever

Business relationships is not just about our clients but also within our own business teams. When people feel special, wanted and valued they become loyal and do their best work.
Training takes time and costs a business so it just makes sense to keep putting energy into making your team the best they can be.

Often we are so busy we lose sight of the strengths of our teams members and we only focus on the weaknesses and how we want them to change. I challenge you to focus for one month on your teams strengths, show them how awesome they are, teach them how to use those strengths even more within the business and just watch them shine.

Love to talk more about this with you soon TM xx

Tracey Mathers
TM Mentoring

Tracey Mathers is a trusted advisor to those wanting to build and maintain success in business. With retail running through her veins, third generation retailer Tracey Mathers has been continuing the family tradition for over 25 years. As the Granddaughter of the founder of Mathers Shoes it was inevitable she would become a leading retailer in her field. Having had up to six stores she has learnt to deal with all areas of running a successful business.

With 35 years experience in both the retail and the corporate world Tracey has a wealth of knowledge in all different aspects that she passes on through her work as a professional advisor, speaker and mentor.

I am so excited to be asked to share my 35 years business learnings with you all. Thanks for having me as part of this powerful and fabulous SHINE Business Women Tribe. I hope you enjoy my first article, I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming months. TM xxxxx