How to Build Business Relationships Fast

Solid business relationships rarely occur instantly as a result of a short initial interaction between two parties. They take time to develop. Use the following strategies to speed up your ability to cultivate strong and lasting business relationships.

Remember and use people's names
If you can not remember someone's name, you can not use it in a conversation. During the course of a meeting or phone conversation, use the listener's first name a few times. This grabs their attention and makes some people feel closer to you.

Ask interested questions
An interested question is a question used to find out information about someone else. People are interested in people who are interested in them. In business situations, savvy business people want to know what your product or service needs are, they also want to know who you are.

Do not pitch when no one wants to catch
When you first meet people do not immediately go into your sales pitch. This turns people off and makes them wary of you. Tell people what you do when you first meet, then ask them interested questions about them. When the conversation is ending, say, "I would like to talk with you further about my services, may I give you a call?"

Send a handwritten note
In this day of electronic mail and fast faxes, people appreciate a hand-written note. The day after you meet someone, send them a short written note not a typed letter. People often think a letter is standardized.

Do not monopolize people
In an effort to create rapport, we may make the mistake of over-extending a conversation, an appointment, or a meeting. Be sensitive to people's time and responsibilities that demand their attention. For example the shorter a phone message is, the quicker it is returned.

Do not charge clients or potential clients for getting to know them If you are interested in long-term business relationships and not just quick sales, offer to meet with people at no obligation. Provide them with an evaluation, assessment or estimate at no expense whenever possible. Do not charge for an initial fact-finding meeting or initial consultation. Even if they do not do business with you today they will appreciate your generosity and genuine interest in them. They may become a client down the road and may also refer others to you.

Find people in common
Ask people you respect if they know the individual or company with whom you are trying to build a business relationship. When you find a person who has a valuable connection with that business, ask them to call and put in a good word for you. Always ask for a personal introduction. If you have done a good job of building a relationship with your contact person, they will gladly help you.

Invite them to go where you are going
One of my favorite ways to get to know people is to invite them to an event I know they will enjoy and that will help them achieve their professional goals. You can create rapport through participation in an activity that is beneficial to both of you. Introduce them to other people who can let them know, in their own way, that doing business with you would be a smart choice.

Business is all about relationships. Focus on yours and watch your sales soar.