There are those who will argue that the world of business and commerce is simply ‘dog-eat-dog’ and that self-preservation is the key if you want to be a success. While there may be something to be said for prioritising the best interests of your company, those who follow this notion are missing out on many opportunities.
By working to build up positive relationships with other business, whether they are rivals or another form of service, there are many benefits you could begin to realise. So, if you are wondering what exactly these potential advantages are and how you can maintain them, what follows are some examples:
Offering Shared Advice and Services
Firstly, do some research regarding the local and national businesses that might be able to use your services or products and vice versa, then approach them with a mutually beneficial offer (one service for another). This might be something like delivery services or maybe even little things like catering facilities or cleaning. The more connections you make the better.
By sticking with these firms your relationship can begin to develop and eventually you can share business plans and ideas that you might want to take forward together.
Improve your Network
As mentioned above, the more connections made the more it can benefit you. These links to other businesses then gives you access to their customer base, opening yours up to more and more markets.
Critical Analysis
The businesses you trust can also tell you where you might need to improve. Sometimes it’s hard to take criticism but if it is coming from a reliable source it can be something to take on board and work towards improving.
Ways to Maintain these Relationships
Much like any partnership, you need to put the effort in to keep these relationships strong, particularly if you’ve already invested a lot of time and effort in establishing them. Here are some of the ways you can do this:
– Be patient and understanding when dealing with them. Take the time to appreciate that everyone is different and won’t necessarily work in the same way as you.
– Show them you appreciate their work and efforts by celebrating their, or your joint, successes together.
So there you have it, just some of the benefits your business could find by working with others. Don’t fall into the trap of pure self-preservation; take on board some of this advice and you could help your businesses to grow sustainably together.
