What’s the best way to build a business relationship? “Business relationships are built on honesty, trust, respect, and understanding. The most important thing you must do is get to know your customers. You cannot get close to them if you don’t know what they are all about.

Before you pick-up the phone you must do research. The more you know about your prospective customers, the easier it is for you to know how to build a relationship. Do exactly what you would do in any new relationship–find out their interests, tastes and other areas where you have something in common. To do this you must ask questions. What are their goals, specific needs or problems?

Successful relationships are built on honesty. This is one policy that will never have to be changed to keep up with the times. Always keep in mind there are no degrees of honesty. Honesty builds trust, which is the foundation of all relationships. Trust is the confidence that someone can rely upon you for your integrity, ability, and strength. With trust comes respect – to be held in high regard by another is something we earn through our actions and deeds.

And finally – understanding. You must put yourself in the other person’s shoes and listen to their wants and needs. More often than not, we are so busy planning our responses that we don’t truly listen and absorb what is being said. However if you can be honest, gain trust, show respect and understand what the other person is trying to communicate you are well on your way to building a business relationship.