Ten ways to strengthen critical business relationships

Even the smartest, most hardworking entrepreneurs depend on other people for their
success. Ty Freyvogel, founder of MakingSenseOfYourBusiness.com,
suggests you make 2008 the year you start showing them you know that.

"There is no such thing as a lone wolf entrepreneur," asserts Freyvogel. "Your success is intertwined with
a complex network of other people and organizations. All of those relationships
must be constantly tended and nurtured. Even though your interaction with your
customers is different from how you interact with employees or vendors or even
your bankers, your reason for forging strong relationships with them is the
same—building and maintaining a successful business in 2008 and many years
after."

Here are ten ways you can start strengthening your business relationships in
the upcoming year.

Learn as much as you can about everyone you work with. Then, act on that knowledge.
You need to know as much as possible about everyone from your customers to your
vendors to your employees so that when their needs change, you can be there
to provide them with what they need to stay happy with your business.
"Constantly ask them, 'What can I do for you?'" advises Freyvogel.
"Then, do it. They'll appreciate your efforts to help them be as successful
as possible. Always treat them with the utmost respect and do everything in
your power to make them happy. That may mean anything from giving a customer
who is going through a hard time a discount that is 'especially' for them to
giving an employee whose daughter is starting college an unexpected bonus. Acts
such as these are the building blocks of creating strong relationships. (Remember—don't
worry that you might be playing favorites; instead, make everyone feel like
they are your favorite.)"

Treat your vendors like honorary employees. It's important to nurture relationships
with those people who aren't necessarily working for you but who service you
or your company regularly. This can mean anyone from the package delivery guy
who stops by every day to the materials supplier who keeps your warehouse stocked
to the designer who keeps your website updated.

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