Building and Maintaining Effective Working Relationships for the Self-Employed

“Business is all about relationships –how well you build them determines how well they build your business.”

Brad Sugars)

No business operates in isolation, and, particularly in the self-employed world, the success of a business is inextricably linked to the quality of its working relationships – not just with customers, but also with suppliers, sub-contractors, colleagues, inspectors/officials, and even competitors.

There are many benefits of having effective working relationships, including: provide an excellent opportunity to expand your reach and potential client base.

Customer loyalty and retention – building strong relationships with your customer base leads to loyalty, and when customers feel appreciated and valued, they’re much more likely to continue to do business with you.

Word of mouth marketing –the kind money can’t buy!

Suppliers and vendors – good relationships with your suppliers can lead to better terms (and potentially prices), and an easier and more reliable supply chain. These benefits can reduce your overall costs and therefore increase profit. Feeling supported – self-employment can be a lonely place, but having good business relationships with others, whether in the same trade/industry as you, suppliers, or other local businesses, can give valuable support and provide a sounding board when needed.

Treat others with respect (regardless of how you perceive they treat you!) and don’t get drawn into petty politics

Happy customers are more likely to recommend you amongst their networks and this is still one of the best forms of marketing for a small business, particularly those operating in the local expat communities here in France.

Partnerships and collaborations – if you’ve got a good reputation and following then other small businesses will generally want to be associated with you and your business. This can lead to partnerships or collaborations with other businesses which

Business stability –having a strong, solid customer base, reliable suppliers, and a good reputation will provide much needed stability for a small business.

If you’re wondering why I’ve included competitor relationships, there are a number of good reasons to build effective relationships there too. We aren’t always able to fulfil the needs of a customer (due to availability, location etc.) or, in a worst case scenario, may have an emergency which could potentially mean letting a customer down. Having good relationships with others in your industry means you can potentially pass a customer on in a positive and constructive way and still ‘deliver’, albeit through somebody

DONNA STOKES FREELANCE PA & ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT donnastokespaservices@gmail.com

else. Happy customer, happy colleague, happy you!

It makes clear business sense, so how to build and maintain those effective working relationships in your business?

Essentially, it’s all about role-modelling the way you treat others (customers, colleagues, suppliers etc.) in terms of how you’d want and expect to be treated. Sounds simple right? Here are some tips to consider:

Integrity – put simply, do what you say you’re going to do, when and how you say you’re going to do it (and if for any reason that’s not possible, see ‘communication and transparency’ below!).

Respect – another easy one: treat others with respect (regardless of how you perceive they treat you!) and don’t get drawn into petty politics or public criticising of others, it’s never a good look. Honesty – be truthful and honest in your dealings with others.

Realistic – never over-promise/underdeliver (if anything, under-promise and over-deliver!).

Communication and transparency – keep in touch, be open and clear in how your transmit your message and, quite simply, be honest.

Authenticity – be you, and don’t be afraid to share a bit of you too. This allows others to find a connection with you which, in turn, helps build the relationship.; Empathy – always try to understand and consider the feelings and needs of others in your dealings with them and make sure you express it in your communications. Gratitude – always be grateful and show it - a ‘thank you’ costs nothing.

Flexibility – things change often through no fault of anybody – try to be adaptable to changing needs and priorities.

Give as well as take – relationships of any sort by definition should be two-way, and it’s no different in the business environment. Whether its providing advice or guidance to a fellow business owner or attending and contributing to local networking events, just make sure you have a good give/take balance.

To summarise, good working relationships are essential for those of us in selfemployment as they foster trust and networking which ultimately lead to increased business opportunities, stability, and longer-term success.

Let’s talk currency

Sue Cook EI

Regional Coordinator Centre Ouest

87600 Rochechouart

+33 (0)555 036 669 +33 (0)689 992 889

E: sue.c@currenciesdirect.com www.currenciesdirect.com/france

Siret: 444 729 008 00011

English-speaking lawyer, registered before French Bar, 25 years’ experience

Transfer of Property after Death - Transfer of Property after Divorce Assistance in Sales and Purchases of Property Act as Agent for the Purchase and Sale of Real Estate

Contact Laure Chaveron +33 5 55 82 18 99 / l.chaveron@avocatline.fr www.frenchpropertylawyer.fr All areas of France covered. deVere France S.a.r.l. are regulated by ANACOFI-CIF and ORIAS which will only recommend French regulated products. deVere France can advise you on ways to help safeguard and increase your wealth, as well as helping with HMRC-recognised pension transfers to a Qualified Recognised Overseas Pensions scheme (QROPS) to give you potentially more flexibility in your pension plans.

Helen Booth works as a financial adviser for deVere France S.a.r.l and has lived as well as owned property in the Deux-Sèvres region. Having worked in the financial services in the UK for over 15 years, Helen prides herself in being fully diploma-qualified for the services that she provides. Helen has lived and worked in France for over 8 years and enjoys being part of deVere France S.a.r.l., a division of one of the world’s leading independent financial consultancies, deVere Group.

With over $10 billion of funds under its advice and administration and with more than 80,000 clients around the world, deVere Group truly offers a myriad of unique products and notes that are not available anywhere else in the market. This, as Helen puts it, gives clients the pick of the crop when it comes to investing.

If you would like to know more about how deVere France can help you, contact

Helen Booth DipPFS , EFA : +33 (0) 77 171 2879 : helen.booth@devere-france.fr

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