When it comes to business, relationships are absolutely everything, no matter what kind of business you’re running or how long you have been in business, it’s your ability to build and nurture connections that can make or break your success. Strong business relationships are built on trust, communication, and take effort. 

Strong business connections are more than just a handshake at a meeting or a Linkedin connection. Learn how to build strong relationships in business below. 

Start With Genuine Intentions 

People can spot insincerity from a mile away, and if you’re only connecting with them because you think they can help you, that relationship is doomed before it even begins. You should approach every business interaction with genuine curiosity and a real desire to get to know someone. Ask yourself what value you can bring to the person you want to connect with, and how you can support their goals in the end. When you start from a giving position rather than a taking one, you’re essentially laying the foundation for a much better and more beneficial relationship that’s built on mutual respect and trust.

Communication Is Key

Good communication is the backbone of any relationship, and business is no different – in fact, you could say that communication is the most important thing to a successful business relationship. Communication isn’t just reaching out when you need something. Staying in touch consistently, even when there’s nothing to gain from it is a way to nurture the relationship. Sending out a simple email to check in, grabbing a coffee to catch up, or perhaps even a thoughtful message on someone’s birthday can go a long way. It’s these small gestures that show how much you value the relationship you’ve built up, and not just the potential business opportunities.

First Impressions Matter

We’ve all heard that you only get one chance to make a first impression, and that couldn’t be more true than when it comes to businesss. In business, time is money, and if someone wants something and you’re unable to provide it, or you do something wrong and someone else can do it right, you’re going to lose out. So from the way you introduce yourself to the tools you use, everything sends out a message about who you are and how you do business.

One often overlooked tool is your business card. A memorable, high-quality business card speaks absolute volumes about your professionalism and attention to detail, and it can give a potential connection all the information they need to know about whether or not to work with and communicate with you. You should think about investing in bespoke business cards that reflect your brand and also your personality – it’s amazing what one carefully designed little business card can do when it comes to letting people know who you are and what to expect from you. 

Be A Good Listener 

We’re often so focused on what we want to say that we forget the power of listening, but the secret to remember is that people love to feel heard, and when you actively listen, you show that you’re there to value their thoughts and opinions, and that really means a whole lot.  Try it the next time you’re having a conversation with someone – you’ve got to resist the urge to jump in with a story or your sales pitch, no matter how tempting it might be, and instead you need to focus on understanding what it is they’re saying and what they’re essentially asking you. Not only is that going to help you build a stronger connection, but it’ll also give you some really valuable insights into how you can help, and in the end, that’s going to help create strong business relationships.

Follow Through On Promises

Reliability is one of the most important traits in any relationship. If you say you’re going to do something, you need to make sure you do it, and it doesn’t matter what it is, big or small. It might be sending a reply to an email, getting a product to someone on time, paying an invoice, or even making an important introduction. Whatever it is, your actions speak louder than your words. Dependability is something that builds trust, and it’s going to make you shine in a world where people often overpromise and underdeliver. Do what you say you’ll do.

Find Common Ground 

Relationships, business and otherwise, are built on shared interests and goals, which means you need to find some if you want to take things to the next level and really get the most out of your connection. Ask them about their interests, like a love of being outdoors in nature and hiking or maybe you like the same films. Perhaps you’ve got kids around the same age and can talk about that. Shared experiences can give you a much more personal bond and that’s going to make any interaction you happen to have a better one. It’s going to feel more natural and less like some kind of transactio. Plus, it’s going to give you something to talk about other than business.

Show Appreciation 

Everyone likes to feel appreciated. A little gratitude can go a very long way, so think about how you can show appreciation to your connections. It might be that you write a handwritten thank you note, or perhaps you do a shout out on social media and tag them. Not only does that show you’re thinking of them, but it also gives your followers a chance to check them out. Or you might want to send them a small gift if there’s been a particularly positive meeting or contract. Sometimes a simple thank you makes a world of difference. If you can make a connection feel valued and appreciated, it’s going to help you build a strong business relationship that lasts.