Are you building client-focused bridges in business and avoiding client-blocking barriers?

• 28 August 2016
• Jane Evans
• no comments

Being in business can be the best feeling ever!

You are in charge, you decide how long, how often you work, and also where and on what, which can feel liberating. Most people who set up businesses do so because they feel passionate about a product, service or idea they have. However, there can be times when it just feels FRUSTRATING, as the clients or customers are not there, or don’t come back.

Are you building enough bridges for your clients to cross?

A lack of attention to creating relationships with prospective, or established clients, can soon take you to a place where you find yourself repeatedly waiting……for THE email….. THE phone call…..THE person you will meet who will get IT…or even THE tweet!

When I set my business up nearly 5 years ago, I came from a background in the ‘caring’ professions so self-promotion, self-belief and a business focus and mind-set were pretty alien territory for me. What I did bring was the ability to connect and form relationships as that was what my work for over 2 decades had hinged on. However, in my business I seemed to create more barriers to me and my work than I did bridges!

I created barriers because I:

1. Overlooked my tried and tested ability to connect with others, so I did not develop and use it effectively
2. Was so distracted by trying to ‘get work’ and an income I lost my focus (repeatedly)
3. Forgot I am a ‘people person’ as I got hung up by needing to relate this to money!
4. Felt I had to ‘compete’
5. Kept falling in to the ‘fear pit’ and taking this in to every communication and contact!
6. Isolated myself, thrashed about in my own misery for far too long!

As you can imagine these are NOT bridge-building activities or mind-sets!!

What has changed since then?

ME of course! My favourite quotation is by Henry Thoreau,

“Things do not change. We change.”

 I have reconnected to my truth and focused on relationships as they are so clearly what bring opportunities, clients and colleagues who will support and share my work and my products. I can then do the same for them, make it a reciprocal relationship, even a tweet or a Facebook mention can do this.

My bridge building comes from a very authentic place as I do better when I am connected with others – we all do. Humans are naturally wired for ‘connection’ and to be part of small groups, or tribes, as no one person is designed to do everything well. Many of us doggedly have a go, but this will not be without cost to our health, and wealth!

From working on self-development, initially alone and then with my coach of the past 12 months, Devon Bandison, I have learned the power of being my most authentic self. This I now focus on to great effect in my own coaching, speaking and training.

“It starts with YOU.

What your intention is towards others, is what they will feel.

It will either build a bridge, or create a  barrier.”

Bridge building starts with:

• Openness and a genuine curiosity about the other person
• Authentic belief in ourselves and our product BUT not ramming it down their throats
• Keeping contact after the initial sale or buy in, otherwise it can feel like a frantic ‘one night stand’ then being dumped!
• Acceptance that not everyone WILL get it, or get YOU right now. BUT, if you are authentic they may very well come back when they have that light bulb moment. Stay in touch at a low level
• Find a coach who can work with you on what being a relationship bridge-building person requires, not everyone just knows how to create good relationships but anyone CAN LEARN
• Be prepared to take time to reflect on patterns, how initial contacts with people have developed, or not developed, in to repeat business.

Building relationship-based bridges is an investment in your clients, your service, or your product. It will also enhance your wellness and your personal life too.

For opportunities to create more bridges and connection in your life, so you can live your life fully and passionately!

Contact me today.

www.thejaneevans.com

janeevans61@hotmail.co.uk

M: 07455281247