The 5 Key Practices That Will Build Supportive Client Relationships

When you are in business, it is important to form long-lasting client relationships that are rewarding to both parties. The truth is that doing business with someone is always based on the relationship you have with each other. Think about it, sales are made between people, not businesses, so those relationships matter. When looking for someone to work with, your potential client can find others who can offer the same services that you do. What it comes down to though, is the relationship where they like, know, and trust the person they will choose to work with. So today I would like to discuss what five things you can do that will help you develop and grow positive client relationships. Ones built on trust that will serve you both now and long into the future.

Clearly, you want to sign and keep your client’s long-term. The truth is though, they will come and go for various reasons. The companies’ needs may change. They bring the service you provide in-house. Your contact leaves and the person who replaces them brings in someone else to replace you! Things happen. Whatever the reason though, you want to be sure you are on good terms with your client before, during, and after your business with them ends. Those current and former clients can provide references, referrals, introductions, or even hire you again in the future if the relationship was good.

These are five practices that will build and maintain positive business relationships with those you work closely with.

Implement These Easy Tips to Make a Positive Impact

1. Building your network. Your most valuable asset in business is your network. It’s the clients, co-workers, vendors, etc. who you deal with day-to-day, they become your network. This network is where you make connections with other business owners, meet potential clients, and create referral sources through those relationships. It is important to foster these relationships whether you do so virtually, which is easy in this current business climate, or by meeting face-to-face. There is no better way to become known, liked, and trusted than to network. Understand, networking is not the same as marketing, but the next step, the connection, beyond your marketing efforts that benefit your business.
2. Be honest and trustworthy. When working with your clients always be consistent, straightforward, and honest. This will slowly create a trusted relationship between you. Now, things will happen. Deadlines may be missed, or mistakes may be made. Own to up to them. Go to the client with the situation and a solution as to how to resolve it. We are all human and errors occur, but if you are trusted by your client, it will go a long way with them understanding when they do.
3. Value their time. As we know all too well, time is a limited commodity. There are only 24 hours in a day, and we need to use them wisely. For this reason, we need to be mindful of how we use our client’s time and our own. Schedule meetings, have an agenda, stick to the topic at hand, and be deliberate in the focus of your conversations. Of course, small talk helps to build relationships so you should always make time for it but limit it and be respectful of the needs of your client.
4. Collaborate with your clients and offer solutions. When you have an established relationship with the clients you serve, it is important to be invested in them and their business. Collaborate on projects, problems, and solutions. Offer suggestions when you see something that could help them. The success of their business should be as important to you as your success. You will create an alliance that they will know they can depend on and trust when an opinion is needed.
5. Create strong partnerships. When you are working with your client and their teams, you want to create partnerships. With these partnerships, you can support and promote one another’s business. If you serve the same types of businesses, you can make introductions and recommend each other for future projects or attend networking events and trade shows together. This is a wonderful way to network and build your potential client list.

Conclusion

There you go, use these tips and you will build successful, mutually beneficial, business relationships. When you support your clients, show them that their success is as important to you as to them, they will appreciate you and what you bring to their business. The best part is being comfortable recommending your businesses to others within their networks. Whether that is tomorrow or a year from now, the time you invest will be well worth your time and effort. Are you looking for a team that will support you and your business? Contact the PMSpecialist team today. We would love to explore the opportunity to work with you and help you grow your business.