When do you need to get more involved with the day to day activities of your business partner?
The best business relationship you can have is one where the client does not know whether you are a contractor or whether you are an employee. Working alongside the client, you are the one that offers solutions to problems. These relationships take time to develop, but if your expertise helps make them a profit, then they will be more open to having you "on staff". In order to place yourself in this type of position, you need to possess an expertise that the client does not have. You also have to make sure that you have a working knowledge of their processes and procedures. You are not there to make policy decisions but to push them in the right direction when your technical expertise is required. I know a company in the aeronautics industry that works so closely with one of its clients that they help them design their airplanes and give them advice on where they can save money and improve on their processes.
This company is so ingrained in the other organization that upper management takes them for granted. The main problem they are facing is getting in front of the decision makers so that they can do more business. This is not a bad problem to have, but you still have to maintain your identity. Companies that work this well together have gone past the dating game and are now well matched and have a solid long term relationship. This does not mean that you want to work for one company; it simply means that you need to get close enough to your client that you know how you can be of value and let them know where they can make improvements.
Getting involved with other businesses is the best way to cement a relationship and to ensure longevity with the projects. It will also eliminate the threat of competition as they are an unknown and you know the trade secrets on an intimate basis. You need to bond the relationship to make sure you stay in the client's mind.
Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://www.blueprintbooks.com
scheduled maid service Northbrook ..As a practise gets larger & larger the associated problems... Read More
Just when the entire state was kissing Wichita goodbye, economically... Read More
If you've been thinking about starting a business, but are... Read More
You're a small business owner with a hot new product... Read More
The success of your business depends on your ability to... Read More
When is advice free and when should you charge for... Read More
I love lists. I make them for everything. And I'm... Read More
When you awoke this morning, you found yourself buzzing with... Read More
Discover How Specialized Cost Containment Creates A New Win-Win Position... Read More
"Order Now!" "Your Business Will Fail If You Don't Have... Read More
The FTC Franchise Rule maybe changed, as the Federal trade... Read More
When deciding to host a fundraiser for your company or... Read More
What does buying a fat pig have to do with... Read More
Everyday, customers and business owners are bombarded with billboards, logos,... Read More
It's just like a marriageTo expect a bank manager or... Read More
Small business owners often enter their field with great expectations.... Read More
A Small Business Opportunities Magazine is one of the new... Read More
Back when I owned an inventory-based business, one of my... Read More
Increase your profit potential by identifying ? and avoiding ?... Read More
Seems as though there are a lot of business closings... Read More
One way to determine your companies mission statement is based... Read More
The story is told of a tiger chasing some goats... Read More
An observation while returning home from a seminar: Getting away... Read More
Over the years I heard the best way to learn... Read More
All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise... Read More
reliable maid service Highland Park ..Expanding your business requires you to take a good hard... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --An effective and compelling... Read More
There were only an estimated 1800 active franchisors in this... Read More
What unspoken message are you sending your clients and customers?... Read More
Cash is King... That is what everyone tells us and... Read More
I love work, I can watch it all day.I am... Read More
Get maximum results with minimum effort. Sounds great doesn't it?... Read More
Scenario OneDuring a recent presentation, a business owner was given... Read More
Franchising Corporations need to maintain an iron fist when it... Read More
As a home business proprietor, you may already realize why... Read More
Yes, that IS security when nobody can downsize you because... Read More
The Customer Analysis section of the business plan assesses the... Read More
If you own a Pressure Washing Company and wish to... Read More
Last week's question from Anthony R. on how to choose... Read More
If you have a busy private practice, chances are you... Read More
Recently one of my customers told me the chaos swirling... Read More
The reason we Franchisors call it an exclusive territory is... Read More
So you think you're not justified in taking time away... Read More
If you are the boss and you think your job... Read More
Deciding to start your own franchise is just one of... Read More
All cities have a purchasing office and/or a procurement officer.... Read More
Here's why 'WHY' is such a profit-making marketing trigger."Stop taking... Read More
Purchasing a franchise has become one of the most popular... Read More
How do you find the best business partners?Finding a good... Read More
No, I'm not talking about gambling or dairy cows ?... Read More
Small Business |