Who is in your Cheering Section?

Why do you go to sports events or even watch the events on TV? You know when you are watching your favorite team whether it be soccer, basketball, or football, you go to cheer and support your team and let them know you care and you stand behind them because you believe in them.

In business, the relationships you develop over time with others should be built on respect and integrity so others will easily and naturally wish to be a part of your cheering section.

Well, I have recent had some engaging conversations with colleagues regarding the importance of developing solid quality connections and relationships with other people which will naturally allow others to becoming a part of your cheering section.

During various conversations, it was surprising (and a bit disturbing) to me, how easily someone brought up a incident where someone became disappointed by another because of different factors. However, it seems that in each case, the person who was disappointed definitely less likely to “cheer” for the other person. And in a couple of cases, the disapointment had become so bad, the relationship had been severed and wouldn’t be recommending the person again (ouch!).

Case #1: One person an avid fan of another. Person A has purchased product and services from person B. Person A has recommended and become a fan of person B…so much that person A has influenced others to purchase from person B. Then about 1 year goes by and person A decides to run a joint venture and send a offering (email) to person B to be a part of this joint venture. Person B emails person A responding as if person A doesn’t exist and almost offended that person A would even ask to be a part of their joint venture. Person A is disappointed at persons B offstandish response and a bit offended too after being such a cheerleader for person B. Person A has become cautious when dealing with person B. Person A has decided not recommend person B to others.
Lesson: Become of fan too- You can do this be being on the look out for opportunities benefiting others. Bring value to your relationship with others. It doesn’t mean you have to become involved in a venture the other person is doing, however, handle the communication with class. And if an opportunity doesn’t suit you, at least pass it along to others you know who might be interested.

Case #2: Another incident I was told about was concerning Person C who received a referral for some office support to person D. Person C was in need of some data entry and internet research from person D. The relationship started out nicely then it quickly became very questionable when Person D wasn’t responsive to Person C communications. Person C became distraught when there wasn’t any common courtesy follow up by this Peron D repeatedly. Person C stated I felt as I had to chase Person D. This severe lack of communication causes doubt and raises suspicion about the level of commitment.
Lesson: Communication – if you aren’t able to do something or your plans change, be sure that you keep the lines of communication open.

Case #3: I had a personal experience regarding a situation where my husband worked really (really!) hard for another company (he is self employed) and did all the things they asked of him (including making extra trips to meet with different people, having to stay away from home extra nights, spending his money to purchase supplies, etc.) Now he didn’t mind doing these things because my husband was under the impression there was a solid relationship building between himself and this company. They had told him they would have other jobs coming up and they needed his expertise. Well, the invoices were sent to the company for my husbands work when it was completed. It has taken several (about a dozen) phone calls to several (about 5) different people to get any answers as to why he hasn’t received his money for the work he completed. When phone calls were made, a different story was told (even telling us at first he wasn’t even in their system!). Or to be referred to call another office to talk to another person who needed to call someone else to find the “right answer”. But then they tell they will call you back and then you have to call them back because they didn’t keep their word.
Lesson- Respect people you work with. Respect them for their knowledge and expertise. Don’t be insulting to someone who has worked hard for you by not paying them. Be sure you keep your promises on timelines, deadlines and/or payments. There are exceptions however, the communication then comes into play when things can not be delivered as expected.

So, are you ensuring you have a solid cheering section? The more solid people you have cheering for you and “singing your praises” and you are backing up with solid and quality service over and over again….that is how you will build a solid business over time.

As you are meeting and engaging in conversations with people, be sure you are creating those solid relationships where others will be easily eager to talk positively about you. You know how sometimes you meet someone or just hear someone for the first time and that is “just someone you know you have to know”. You want to develop long lasting relationships with those who are willing and wanting to become a part of your cheering section.

Teresa Morrow is on the Florida Board of Advisors with The WECAI Network ™ (http://www.wecai.org) and Editor at Large at WE Magazine for Women ™ (http://www.wemagazineforwomen). She has over 15 years working with various industries to include property management, landscape architecture and financial planning firms in executive administrative positions. In 2007, Teresa started Key Business Partners, now specializing in online promotion management for holistic coaches, speakers and writers. You can sign up for her free 3 day ecourse: Steps to Proper Promotion when you visit her website at http://www.keybusinesspartners.com. She cares about her clients and is available for 20 minute free consultation. You can contact her via email at keybusinesspartners@verizon.net.