When I interviewed Rebecca Thorman (Creator and Owner of
www.modite.com) for The Great Successful People Package we
chatted as if we had known each other for years. In fact, it was the first time
we had spoken and she loved my accent!

The interview was great and time flew by. Rebecca shared her
knowledge on such subjects as finding your strengths, writing skills, building relationships,
making that jump from college to work, blogging.

Hear something new…

Last week, I listened to the interview with Rebecca again as
sometimes when you listen to something the second, third or fourth time, you
hear something new. That is the great benefit of audio. As you are listening,
your mind wanders and you miss something. Listen again and it is as if you are
hearing something new each time.

It’s about relationships…

Photo courtesy of pedrosimoes7

This time Rebecca’s discussion on ‘Relationships’ jumped out
for me.

Relationships can make or break your career. They can ensure
you get promotion or actually scupper your chances.

Relationships can make you a million dollars or lose you a
million dollars.

You will struggle to simply get things done if you do not
have people on your side. You will need support to be successful.

Relationships can help you get your new job, a new business
deal, provide expert advice…

Rebecca is a master at building relationships. She knows how
to relate to individuals, really listens to what people are saying and knows
how to respond appropriately.

So how does Rebecca make it so easy?

Simply walk up to individuals and introduce yourself.

That’s it?

Yep and it is so simple. Nothing complicated.

It takes effort and a little bit of courage to start with
but each time you do introduce yourself, it becomes easier and easier.

Now I can talk and listen to anyone. I have no fear or
qualms regarding introducing myself.

But what is the next step?

You chat for a while, maybe get their business card and
depart and say ‘keep in touch’.

But, do you keep in touch?

Very often, no.

However, what I learned from Rebecca was how easy it is to
keep in touch.

So the first step, introduce yourself, pose some questions
and listen.

Then, afterwards, make the second step yourself.

Rebecca says, ‘Just ring them up and say “Hi, let’s have
lunch (or coffee), my treat”’.

Coffee / lunch would be difficult if you were thousands of
kilometres apart, but still make contact. Have a reason for contacting them.
Maybe you can help them or you are asking for their advice. People like to feel
beneficial to others and pass on their advice.

Most individuals respond positively.

So you chat, have coffee or lunch and you have a new
business relationship started.

Then the relationship starts to be really easy.

Just keep the relationship in mind for the long term.
Contact them every month – either by email or by phone.

In between monthly contacts, keep a list of topics you could
discuss like work, family, holidays, ideas, plans…

So, since listening to the interview with Rebecca, I made a
list of my business relationships and contacted each one. This time by email
and to just catch up on things. Really simple. I like simple.

The email just contains a small amount of what I have been
doing and lots of questions for them.

My list of business relationships includes when I last
contacted them and how and when I intend to contact them again.

I urge you do to something similar.

Go and find a new business relationship today. Speak to
someone, introduce yourself, you just never know that relationship might make
you a million dollars!