Relationships are essential both in business and in life.
I read a book on neuromarketing (brain science research and how to use it in marketing) called The Buying Brain. Secrets for Selling to the Subconscious Mind by Dr. A. K. Pradeep. In it he has a whole chapter on marketing to women and on page 75 of the book, the author says “Emotional memories are paramount in her decision making and in her relationships.”
We know that you need to build relationships in business. We know that women are better at building them than most men. Now we know why. Read the book to learn more about neuromarketing and selling to different groups.
How to find “old” relationships
Several years ago, I had coffee with a friend I had met in the 80s. We had lost touch over the years but I found her again via Linkedin!
We got together for coffee and talked for 3 hours about many things – what happened to each of us, what we’re doing now, and finally how we could help each other.
In December 2019, a woman I knew when I was a teacher in the 1970s, found me on facebook. We got together and picked up the friendship we had over 40 years ago!
This year another friend found me via LinkedIn and because of the pandemic and isolation, we saw each other along with a mutual friend using Facebook Messenger video. I hadn’t seen her for 10 years and it was as if it was yesterday.
Thank goodness for social networking!
Here are some more techniques including social media that you can use to find your friends and colleagues:
- use the phone book online
- use a search engine like google or bing
- use social media like facebook or linkedin
- ask mutual friends or colleagues
- be creative!
How to maintain relationships
Whether a relationship is new or one you’ve had for years you can and should maintain them using one or more of the following methods. You may use some already.
- call them by phone
- send an email (ask for their phone number so you can speak in person)
- have coffee or tea or lunch BUT get together somehow. In this Covid-19 era, use facetime, skype or zoom and have a virtual “coffee chat”.
- email them something pertinent to their interests. This will show you’re thinking of them.
- meet them for an event you’re both attending
- get a ride with them to a networking event you’re both going to. I do and talk with business colleagues during the ride to catch up.
- tell them about an event you’re attending online in this Covid-19 era and then chat 1 on 1 via phone afterwards to talk about what you each thought of the event
- send a birthday card by mail or electronically
- call near Christmas or Hanukkah with a holiday wish for good health and prosperity
- other ideas?
If you have any other ways you maintain your relationships, share them with everyone. I’ve only included a few here.
Originally posted February 16, 2012