Establishing meaningful connections and nurturing mutually beneficial relationships has become more critical than ever before. Beyond conventional networking and outreach methods, there is a realm of unique and uncommon strategies that can elevate a business leader’s ability to forge authentic connections. To have a successful business, it’s essential to explore innovative approaches that transcend traditional boundaries.
Below, 20 Forbes Business Council members share how they empower entrepreneurs to cultivate relationships that not only drive business growth, but also foster a sense of community and shared success.
1. Collaborate Openly
Share ideas with no agenda. We recently started doing this after meeting people at conferences. Instead of going in with a sales follow-up, we’ve been sending a couple of ideas to the brands that have really excited us. This stratey has been more powerful than a sales email, and it has generated some great collaborations as well. – Jess Shanahan, Jet Social
2. Engage The Community
Consider hosting or sponsoring local community events. It’s a unique strategy that helps to forge strong, authentic relationships with local consumers and other businesses. Besides brand exposure, it shows your commitment to the community, enhancing your reputation. – Malcolm Allen, Graduate America
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
3. Connect With Empathy
Engage in active listening and empathy-driven communication. By genuinely understanding others’ perspectives, needs and values, you can forge authentic connections and build relationships rooted in trust. This approach fosters mutual understanding, collaboration and long-term growth for your business. – Matthias Walter Eser, ESER Capital Vermögensverwaltung GmbH
4. Encourage Reverse Mentorship
Encourage junior employees to mentor leaders on emerging trends and fresh perspectives. It fosters learning, empowers employees and builds authentic connections for mutual benefit. – Sabrina Graf, Heartbeat Consulting
5. Connect Others
Be a matchmaker. When meeting someone new, listen intently to the unique aspects of their personality and professional and personal aspirations. We all share a common humanity, so there are bound to be similarities with someone else you know. By linking them together, you can create great synergy while also setting youself up as the go-to for answers. – Joan McKinney, Aurora Exhibit Solutions, Inc.
6. Collaborate Internally
Blend teams and play something. When people are paired with others whom they don’t work with every day, they get to experience other subcultures of the organization and make connections that strengthen their overall bond with the company. It’s vital to play together, not just work together. The play reveals new aspects of personality, encourages creativity and often leads to laughter and memories being made together. – Jordan Peace, Fringe
7. Follow Up
Whether it’s in a virtual or in-person meeting, genuinely engage in conversation and demonstrate an interest in the other party’s personal and professional life. Ask questions that allow you to get one layer deeper than surface-level knowledge so that you can use that information in follow-up conversations. This can be as simple as asking about a favorite vacation spot and following up months later. – Jill Buban, Bright Horizons EdAssist Solutions
8. Invest In Others
Giving freely is the greatest “trick” in the book. Be human, get to know people, uncover their needs and provide solutions freely. Investing in others will show them who you are and how you solve problems. They will then return the favor and/or depend on you for advice or services. We started approaching business relationships with the same humanness as our personal ones. – Dave Regn, Stream Companies
9. Foster Relationships Of Support
As the marketing mantra goes, “If they don’t know you, how can they fall in love with you?” Having solid business relationships requires establishing mutual benefits for one another. Instead of focusing on what you can gain from your network, treat people like friends and try to become a valuable resource by offering free help, support and advice. And, don’t forget to celebrate birthdays and achievements. – Anna Stella, BBSA
10. Leverage AI
These tools uncover hidden connections with potential clients, fostering meaningful and personalized interactions. By extracting insights from existing data, you can build authentic and mutually beneficial relationships. It’s about enhancing human connection with smart tech for better business outcomes. – Lee Blakemore, Introhive
11. Generate Thought Content
Start a business podcast and invite prospects and industry thought leaders to join and talk about their most passionate topics. Keep it structured with pre-recording meetings and post-recording follow-ups. This will help to build relationships and trust. Don’t ask for the sale in any part of the podcast because you are there as a resource and trusted authority. This will build your thought leadership. – Bart Caylor, Caylor Solutions
12. Hold Non-Business Networking Events
One uncommon strategy is to organize small, exclusive networking events centered around shared interests rather than purely business interests. This allows business owners to connect on a personal level, fostering genuine relationships and creating a supportive community. – Tomas Keenan, Step It Up Academy
13. Cross-Collaborate
One unique strategy is to actively seek out opportunities to collaborate with non-competing businesses or professionals in complementary industries. By combining strengths, resources and networks, you can create win-win partnerships that open new doors and foster genuine connections, benefiting both parties’ businesses. – Trey Ferro, Spot Pet Insurance
14. Become A Resource
One unique and effective strategy I highly recommend is offering value through education. Rather than being perceived as constantly selling your products or services, consider positioning yourself and your brand as a valuable resource by providing helpful information within your industry. This can take many forms, from hosting webinars to producing educational content on your website or social media. – Michael Shribman, APS Global Partners Inc.
15. Seek Acquaintances First
For some of us, networking can be an uncomfortable part of our jobs. Start by seeking acquaintances or friends of a friend to ease your way into making connections. This will lessen the impact. You must accept that networking is a vital part of growing as a leader and as a person. – Francisco Ramirez, The ACE Group (TAG)
16. Focus On Your Audience
Share how to’s and offer free gifts and tutorials to help consumers. This has been the catalyst for us, growing our audience and helping us build connections we otherwise could not have obtained. – Tammy Sons, Tn Nursery
17. Create A Mentorship Program
One unique strategy for a business owner or leader to build authentic connections and mutually beneficial relationships for their business is to establish a mentorship program within their industry. By offering to mentor younger or less-experienced entrepreneurs, they not only give back to their community, but also build relationships that can lead to new opportunities and collaborations. – Fabrice Testa, Maana Electric
18. Provide Something For Nothing
There’s nothing more authentic than sharing your experience and wisdom—and maybe even providing seemingly proprietary information as long as it’s yours or you have permission to do so. This level of openness is unexpected and speaks volumes to people trying to make their way in your industry. – Jason Richmond, Ideal Outcomes, Inc.
19. Host Thought Leadership Forums And Workshops
Hosting thought leadership forums or workshops in your industry will allow you to engage with peers, share expertise and foster a collaborative environment. It’s a unique way to build authentic connections and position your business as a knowledgeable industry player. – Henri Al Helaly, Skytex Aero
20. Skip The Sales Pitch
Skip the sales pitch and embrace storytelling. Share your brand’s journey, challenges, wins and values through engaging narratives. Add a dash of humor or behind-the-scenes insights. Authentic stories foster genuine connections, turning mere customers into brand champions. – Chris Kille, Payment Pilot
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