Creating and Cultivating Connections

Think for a moment about the individuals you can’t wait to spend time with. It makes you smile doesn’t it? You’ve probably quickly made a mental list of family members, friends, clients, and neighbors who energize you.

From that list, focus on one client or business colleague. What makes that person stand out? Intellect? Wit? Stories? Experience? Advice?

What do they do to make you feel special? Each of them does something. What do you do to make others feel special? The key to creating and cultivating connections is making the other person feel special. Be passionate, creative, responsive, and likeable.

Develop a succinct, savvy and sterling introduction that makes you memorable to those you meet and shows what you can offer in a relationship. I’ve used, “I invite you to join my circle of successful business owners in gaining the financial tools and sterling advice to keep them growing.”

One key is to embrace the 2:1 Ratio (use your 2 Ears twice as often as your 1 Mouth). Ask questions and listen intently to the responses.

Business development is about connecting people with opportunities – creating and cultivating connections. Who do you know? Who do you want to know? Who knows the person you’d like to meet? You must give before you can expect to receive. Relationships require continual nurturing to remain healthy, productive and mutually beneficial. Leveraging your network effectively can yield a lifetime of win-win connections.