Building Relationships

[ThisAndThat]

I hope this belongs in this group.  I thought I would share with all since some of us are here to build relationships with others.

Greg Perrine wrote a great article over at the National Mortgage Professional titled "The art of building strategic business alliances in today’s challenging economy", worth the read. It describes how todays business demands relationship building now more than ever and shares tactics in doing so. For the professional who had relationship building in her portfolio already for a long time, really no news there, however it is good to refresh them so every now and them again.

Greg shares a list of tips how to be tactics to be prepared in your networking efforts. My three favorites out of his list are:

► Always be prepared! : Very recognizable indeed how often we meet people at unexpected places and appear to have something in common or are able to help each other.

► Face time is very important to maintaining a relationship. With all great tools and gadgets of today, nothing beats facetime!

► Honesty is the best policy.: Without doubt: honesty above all!

Your input appreciated..

[Dazzling Zoomer Gal Diana]

Your post is very welcome T&T and most apt here. Kindly note we have a discussion group whereby our members can "strut their stuff" and network by telling us all about themselves and their profession. Please feel free to share your areas of expertise there with us - as it's a zone dedicated to self marketing by our members, and we also have a interview discussion for specific tips for getting that job.

I'll return with some of my networking and self marketing tips - and in the mean time, great post and very timely. Thanks!

[Dazzling Zoomer Gal Diana]

Don't underestimate the power of a thank you card or letter. Hand written. Chosen with care. Even if it was just a word of encouragement. Manners count, more than ever. And the power of gifting someone for a referral. Better yet, set up a strategy for referrals that are win win. I'll be back (when I have a bit more time next week) with an example of how I set up my referral basis and how they are rewarded.

Be always at the ready with a sound bit (memorized to sound perfectly natural) describing your business in one sentence. I call it the elevator sentence.

Always ask if you can be of help or of service to someone once you have both established common ground. Follow through.