Back to Basics: 3 Incredibly Obvious Ways to Keep Connections Strong

By: Michael | Published: July 2, 2010 | Filed under: Small Business Advice, Small business mistakes

Here are three things that should go without saying in the business world. As obvious as they are, they can be easily forgotten. Let this serve as a reminder that really small gestures like these will go a very long way in strengthening business relationships.

1) Say “Thank You.” – It is really important to understand that saying “thank you” to people you work with will leave a lasting impact. A lot of times people don’t ignore saying “thank you” out of spite, but more because they forget or believe the person does not need to be thanked for doing their jobs. Again, showing them that you are willing to go out of your way to acknowledge their efforts is always appreciated.

2) Communicate – People often fear explaining a problem to someone they’re working with out of fear of being rejected or put down. Never be afraid to communicate a problem to your clients or a colleague. Open communication with these people will result in a lot more trust than if you ever attempt to cover up a problem.

3) Ask for Clarification – At any point during an interaction with a client or colleague if you believe something was not made clear, be sure to politely ask for clarification. While many people fear that this may indicate that they are not understanding, On the contrary, this shows that you are making a tremendous effort to meet their needs and specifications to the best of your ability.

Let’s face it. Regardless what industry you work in, creating and maintaining relationships are key to a lucrative ongoing business. Keeping these three very simple concepts in mind when you are doing business will help keep your relationships strong from day one.