Creating Personal Relationships in Business – Part 1

So, the other day I got to thinking about personal touch. No, this is not like holding hands with someone or patting them on the back. I’m talking about how we personalize relationships, specifically as it relates to business. There are many choices we make every day on what to buy, eat, invest in, or play with.

• What makes us choose one company or product or service over another?
• And which companies easily gain and keep our loyalty and which ones see us come and go?
• When’s the last time that you gave a company or product a shout out?
• What did they do that made you feel so good that you had to share it?

Now, think about your company or business.

• In this day and age of global commerce and the ability to shop anywhere, anytime, what separates you from your competition?
• Are you known for your customer service?
• Now, here’s the kicker: Is it positive?
• When’s the last time your received a shout out for something you did well? If it’s been a while, you may want to evaluate how well you are connecting with your customers.

In this era of fast-paced, unlimited choices, and instant gratification, it is more important than ever to make a lasting impression with your clients and to build a network of champions who believe in your business and what you have to offer. One way to ensure this is to give personalized, superior service that puts you at the forefront of peoples’ minds as someone they want to work with, buy from, relate to, and support. They will become your best advocates and a wonderful source of free positive advertising and referrals. But more importantly, they will keep relationships with you for life. They will become friends as well as long lasting clients.

Stay tuned for Part 2 & 3 of this series on Personal Touch.

Heather Austin is a Project Coordinator and Jill-of-all-trades at Center for Technology & Business.