Relationships And Business – Diametrically opposed?

I have had some interesting experiences recently that highlight for me the value in building relationships. These were people who I initially had no business involvement whatsoever, although we meet through a business forum. We connected as “friends” first and then as friends. We never tried to recruit each other, or to sell to each other.

Some time later we have found ourselves in a position where we can work together.  It has just been a natural progression and not forced in any way. But there is potential for good rewards for all concerned.

Recently I was talking to a young man doing a business training program at a local polytechnic. He is being taught in the business management class, that good business managers are less about relationships and more about efficiency. He is also doing an entrepreneurial class which does teach more about the value of relationships to the entrepreneur. It is good that the business owners are being taught about relationship building, but where have we gone wrong that managers are not.

It is as Robert Kiosaki predicted going to be the downfall of Western businesses. You have a boss (manager) who cares only about efficacious production figures. Their bonus/reputation is built only on how much they produce and at what margin. The workers do not factor into the equation. And because the type of managers this system breeds are either insecure (more intelligent people threaten them) or they are natural power trippers (they like to abuse their authority) there is no flow of information from the lowly worker to the corporate box office.

A more beneficial relationship is as Kiosaki describes with the Japanese business world. Where workers are listened to by their superiors and a family type relationship is fostered. Not only is productivity improved by a naturally more pleasant work environment, but also by the adaptation of the system by the workers for the workers.

There are many ways in which good relationships build stronger businesses. To be teaching otherwise is backwards and typical of our way of business management. The “us” and “them”relationship has failed for decades and yet we continue to encourage it.

No matter what job you have, or what stage you are in life, today is a perfect time to start working on building your relationships. You never know where they might lead you.