The power of with — building relationships for business success

BY TERRY L. BROCK
Technology/marketing specialist

Relationship Marketing is about connecting with others, relating to them and making a “bigger pie” for all. Often we hear about a “self-made” man (or woman). The concept of being “self-made” is a nice idea, but it doesn’t work in the real world. No one can attain true success without the aid of and assistance of others. The irony of life is that you can’t depend on others to be there for you; you have to be strong yourself. However, you also can’t try to do everything by yourself.

The other day I was thinking about a four-letter word — with. That word is powerful in business. If you do something with another, it connotes togetherness. Basic commerce is such that you have a seller and a buyer. Each has something the other wants. In a free market transaction, both are better off after the trade than before. The key term, with, means that they work with each other to achieve their goals.

This is what relationships are about. Each party brings something to the table that the other doesn’t have. By working with the other person you are better off than you are working without them.

This is all about combining and multiplying, not just adding. Napoleon Hill talked about this in his work, including his landmark book, Think and Grow Rich. The concept of a Mastermind Alliance is when two or more minds come together and create a great mind that is far bigger than 2 + 2. I’ve discussed this before on this blog, about how 9 + 9 = 99; by combining together you come up with something far bigger than, say, 18; more like 99 — or more.

How can you combine with others to get more for everyone? Think about those around you in business. Stakeholders is one term we use. Vendors are working with you. Working with colleagues helps you to collaborate and get more done. (By the way, I think collaborate is a beautiful term, closely aligned with with). Even competitors can work with each other for a specifically-defined objective; both are better off because of their work together. You combine your strengths to become better than you would be separately. The “with” concept is one in which you share; each brings value to the transaction and the relationship.

Make plans today to do more “with” marketing. That is what Relationship Marketing is all about. Not everyone will be just right, but that is where persistence comes into play. Find the right areas in which you can collaborate with others for joint ventures, short projects and more, to accomplish mutual goals. Yes, work hard on your own. Yes, be the best you can be individually. But don’t neglect the power of “with” in a relationship.

Using the power of “with” can help you go far — and fast!

Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and professional speaker who works with businesses to generate profitable results. He can be reached by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com. Join the Twitter adventure with Terry through his Twitter address: @TerryBrock. Join Terry’s Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/SpeakerTerryBrock.