Relationships for life…and business

Guest Blogger for Rich Chicks, Cathy Paper of rockpaperstar and Dream Job Lab

Most people want more sales and more career success.  Growing healthy relationships is the key to making a stronger impact as a business person.  Yet, 9 out of 10 people think expanding their network means pushing themselves on other people and feels “slimy.”  There are several ways to grow your relationships and heighten your reputation without becoming a slick image of your authentic self.

 Here are five ways I’ve seen people quickly become effective at increasing the power of their relationships:

1.  Define your style.  What kind of a person do you want to be known as? A giver, a taker, a connector, a writer, a self-promoter, a volunteer etc.  Spend half an hour defining your personal brand.  Ask someone you trust and respect what they think about you and how they would describe you to someone else.  If they hesitate and can’t answer the question, you have some work to do to be seen as a value-add.
2.  Get involved and give back.  Building relationships is not just lunch after lunch or 50 cold calls to grow your contact list.  One of the best ways to get to know other people is to serve on a committee or a volunteer team.  You can make a difference to an organization you are passionate about and meet great people along the way.  Making connections starts with thinking about someone other than yourself.
3. Start small.  Five nights a week out with high hopes of business development and networking and you’ll burn out.  Everyone gets busy and needs to hunker down with billable time or project deadlines.  The best relationship people know that being a consistent but authentic presence out and about is one of the ways to stay top of mind.  So pick one night a week or a Friday lunch to get to know someone new.  
4. Find a wingman or wingwoman.  I first learned of this concept through a New York Times article on dating.  A pair would scope out a “prospect or potential date” and send one of the other people over to ask questions and talk up the other person.  Brilliant.  Find a person to attend an event with you and they can do your promoting for you. It’s much better to have someone else say what you do and why you’re amazing than to toot your own horn. 
5. Be strategic.  Who do you want to meet?  Do your homework.  Sam Richter, author of Take The Cold Out Of Cold Calling, has a toolbar where you can research people and companies in great detail using the “invisible web.”  Before an event, research people and study the guest list if possible.  You will make the most of your time and the people you meet will be impressed by your thorough knowledge.

 These are just a few of the ways to build strong relationships in today’s virtual world of connections.  I recommend a combination of virtual connections and face to face to cement what you want most, a lifelong network to champion your work and serve as your best business development tool.

Cathy Paper is a guest presenter at the May 19 NW2 Mastermind Group   

  RockPaperStar acts as a growth catalyst for authors and small businesses. Current clients include Harvey Mackay, #1 New York Times Best Selling Author of Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive, Virtual Officenters, MorseKode and Fruitshare. As one customer said, “We are thrilled with the results of our business consulting work with Cathy Paper of Rock Paper Star. She helped us come up with new revenue sources and ideas based on our business planning and strengths work.  She provides a fresh, fun and enlightening perspective to our business planning. We imagine calling on her again and again.” Char Mason- Coleman Mason Events