January 2014
www.dakotasupplygroup.com
SPOTLIGHT Tom's
Current
Getting Connected In 2014 Have you ever known someone who was really “connected?” When you go to a ball game with them everyone seems to shake their hand or tell them a joke. Not only do they seem to know a lot of people, but they all seem to be something more than mere acquaintances. If you’re a businessperson (and if you are reading this, you almost certainly are), then you know how much those “connections” are worth: every sale, every deal, every bid, every contract somehow ties back to the human relationship at its core. So how do they do it, these businesspeople who seem to be in everybody’s address book? It’s not who they know – it’s who they help. They don’t just pile up business cards like those who keep score by counting their friends on Facebook. No, they give something to each person they deal with. Sometimes they give a great idea. Sometimes they go above and beyond on a transaction. More often than not they simply offer their attention. In each and every case, the other party feels like they got the better part of the deal – because they did.
If you want to multiply your influence exponentially in 2014, start giving more than you get. Do some homework and give your customers advice on how to make their projects better. Do some legwork and pick up their favorite muffins before a meeting. Send them a birthday card, ask them about their family, offer them a ride when their truck is in the shop – do something for them without getting anything in return. People notice, and it makes them want to slap you on the back when you see them at the local restaurant. Best of all, it inspires them to tell their friends who you are and what you did for them. So there’s your mission for the new year: help more people. If you can help them to succeed, inevitably you will too. Let me know how it goes!