Andrew Rondeau

Andrew is the owner of this website and has been a Leader, Manager, Coach and Consultant for the last twenty-five years.

What I Learned From Rebecca Thorman About Building Relationships

By Andrew Rondeau
Published 07/3/2008

When I interviewed Rebecca Thorman (Creator and Owner of www.modite.com) for The Great Successful People Package we chatted as if we had known each other for years. In fact, it was the first time we had spoken and she loved my accent!

The interview was great and time flew by. Rebecca shared her knowledge on such subjects as finding your strengths, writing skills, building relationships, making that jump from college to work, blogging.

Hear something new...

Last week, I listened to the interview with Rebecca again as sometimes when you listen to something the second, third or fourth time, you hear something new. That is the great benefit of audio. As you are listening, your mind wanders and you miss something. Listen again and it is as if you are hearing something new each time.

It's about relationships...

Photo courtesy of pedrosimoes7

This time Rebecca’s discussion on ‘Relationships’ jumped out for me.

Relationships can make or break your career. They can ensure you get promotion or actually scupper your chances.

Relationships can make you a million dollars or lose you a million dollars.

You will struggle to simply get things done if you do not have people on your side. You will need support to be successful.

Relationships can help you get your new job, a new business deal, provide expert advice…

Rebecca is a master at building relationships. She knows how to relate to individuals, really listens to what people are saying and knows how to respond appropriately.

So how does Rebecca make it so easy?

Simply walk up to individuals and introduce yourself.

That’s it?

Yep and it is so simple. Nothing complicated.

It takes effort and a little bit of courage to start with but each time you do introduce yourself, it becomes easier and easier.

Now I can talk and listen to anyone. I have no fear or qualms regarding introducing myself.

But what is the next step?

You chat for a while, maybe get their business card and depart and say ‘keep in touch’.

But, do you keep in touch?

Very often, no.

However, what I learned from Rebecca was how easy it is to keep in touch.

So the first step, introduce yourself, pose some questions and listen.

Then, afterwards, make the second step yourself.

Rebecca says, ‘Just ring them up and say “Hi, let’s have lunch (or coffee), my treat”’.

Coffee / lunch would be difficult if you were thousands of kilometres apart, but still make contact. Have a reason for contacting them. Maybe you can help them or you are asking for their advice. People like to feel beneficial to others and pass on their advice.

Most individuals respond positively.

So you chat, have coffee or lunch and you have a new business relationship started.

Then the relationship starts to be really easy.

Just keep the relationship in mind for the long term. Contact them every month – either by email or by phone.

In between monthly contacts, keep a list of topics you could discuss like work, family, holidays, ideas, plans…

So, since listening to the interview with Rebecca, I made a list of my business relationships and contacted each one. This time by email and to just catch up on things. Really simple. I like simple.

The email just contains a small amount of what I have been doing and lots of questions for them.

My list of business relationships includes when I last contacted them and how and when I intend to contact them again.

I urge you do to something similar.

Go and find a new business relationship today. Speak to someone, introduce yourself, you just never know that relationship might make you a million dollars!

This article was featured in The Seventeenth Edition of the Carnival of Improving Life.

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5 Responses to "What I Learned From Rebecca Thorman About Building Relationships"

Rebecca Thorman

said this on 07 Jul 2008 9:53:21 AM EDT

Thanks for this nice post, Andrew! Hope you're well :)

(Reply to this comment)

Andrew Rondeau

said this on 09 Jul 2008 6:35:44 AM EDT

Rebecca,

You are welcome! I am well and really busy. Thanks.

Andrew

(Reply to this comment)

Rebecca

said this on 08 Jul 2008 6:48:41 PM EDT

Great post! I will keep these tips in mind when I write my blogs and meet people face to face. Listening is key. I'm reminded of what my father used to say "everyone hears, but no one listens." Rebecca

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