Monday, 12 March 2012

Do Focus and Engage

Here are some tips to help us focus on the people we interact with and how we can engage them to build a lasting relationship with us:

“What can I do for them” attitude – we always have something to offer to those who need help. If we live by this attitude, we are likely to become more attentive to those who communicate with us. I’m not talking about your business nor your products or services either.  There is always something person to person, in our connections, where we can help. 

In helping others widen their network, you are gaining their trust. They will know that you are not just about making sales but also willing to help others.
Use their name – when meeting people and they introduce themselves, make sure that you remember their names and use it when you are addressing them. If you encounter someone with a unique name or you did not get it the first time, repeat their name and ask if you pronounced it right. Doing this will make it easier for you to remember them, and at the same time, you are avoiding the possibility of mispronouncing their name when you talk to them again.
Why does this matter? The person you are talking to will feel important when you use their first name, and they will also love to be able to call you by your first name. It also leads to a more comfortable conversation.
Maintain eye-contact – paying attention means that we have to show them that we are really listening to what they are saying. Maintaining eye-contact is important when you are talking to someone.
Avoid using your phone. Avoid looking elsewhere. When someone is talking to you, just look them straight in the eye. Doing this will make them feel that you are really interested in what they are saying. They will feel important because they feel that you are respecting them. In return, you gain their trust and respect. When it’s your time to talk, you will have their full attention as well.
Get their contact details – after meeting and discovering how you two can help each other out, don’t forget to exchange contact details. It can be anything from mobile, email, or social media accounts. Once you have it, do stay in contact. Take the time to contact them and see how they are doing, or you can send them your company newsletter (with their permission) to keep them posted. If you did well in communicating with them when you met them, getting in touch will be easy. Invest time in building strong relationships with the people you meet and your business will reap the benefits of long-term professional connections.
All these sound like a lot of work because you may have other ways of building connections and gaining customers. However, these tips will ensure that you develop deeper and stronger relationships with the people that you meet. If you incorporate these as part of your business values, you will gain trust and respect at a deeper level.
It may take a lot of your time, but you will be bringing in more to your business. It is of great value to you when you build strong connection with a network of people whom you can enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship with. If you live by helping others, your business will be known as a brand that people can trust. 

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