Mar 0919
The Power of the Relationship
March 19th, 2009
I tell my staff (especially Project Managers) to jump at any chance to share a meal with a client, vendor or partner. Why? Because I’m convinced that once you’ve shared a meal with someone, it’s a lot harder for them to demonize you, blow you off, ignore your calls and e-mails, or fire you for a small mistake.
A meal, however, is simply a metaphor for creating, nurturing and maintaining a relationship. The relationship is what matters. A meal is one really great, fun way to establish or further a relationship. Face to face meetings and social events are others. Can social networking help you nurture your relationships? Here’s how.
- A really great blog lets you connect with your staff, customers, members. A blog lets you share your perspectives, talk about what’s important to you or your field, speak more conversationally about a highly technical or complicated topic.
- An authentic social networking strategy lets you share aspects of your organization’s culture and values. So don’t just tweet about your press releases! Share tips and tricks through a video, tweet about Web sites that move you, and upload photos of your staff in action.
How about you? How are you using social networking to support your relationship goals?
March 20th, 2009 at 1:26 am
There’s a good book ” Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time”. Great advice when you’re traveling. Establishing relationships remain key to long-term partnerships.
But in today’s economic climate, with travel budgets slashed to a bare minimum, use of (online) social networking applications provide a means to maintain those relationships at a much lower cost. The role of social media in customer relationship development has grown in significance; provides a more personal connection. promotes engagement, increases interaction and fast becoming the preferred means of communications.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Patricia, you are right on! I could not have said it better!