Joe Takash is a business author and syndicated writer and columnist. His new book, “Results Through Relationships: Building Trust, Performance and Profit through People” was released on September 16, 2008, (Wiley).
If your paycheck requires communication and interaction with people, you are irrefutably and unequivocally in the relationship business first. There is no gray area, and the reason is simple: no relationships, no paycheck.
Joe Takash urges all of us to apply behaviors that get better business results faster from our existing working relationships and expanding networks. He explains how in his new book, Results Through Relationships: Building Trust, Performance, and Profit Through People (Wiley; Sept 16, 2008).
Takash, President of Victory Consulting, explains, “Many people assume that only new contacts will help them achieve their goals, but in reality, boundless opportunities lie within existing networks. Even the brightest of business minds struggle to bring these to the next level. This book demonstrates how to transition your business relationships to breakthrough connections.”
Results Through Relationships focuses on the bottom-line behaviors that directly target business results. Whether it be connections with colleagues, bosses, subordinates, customers, clients, or vendors, Takash presents a pragmatic, action-based process that anyone can master and expedite observable, tangible benefits.
According to New York Times bestselling author, Patrick Lencioni, Results Through Relationships is “a handy guide of simple, but powerful reminders for anyone looking to improve personal and professional effectiveness.”
As a sought after media resource he has been quoted by NBC News in Chicago, Investors Business Daily, Entrepreneur Magazine, Crain’s New York, Selling Power and MSNBC.Com. His columns have been printed along side John McCain, Stephen Covey, Jim Rohn and Tony Robbins in such publications as The American Marketing Association Newsletter, Career Builder, Leadership Excellence, Personal Excellence
and Sales and Service Excellence.
What many people don’t realize is that business networking is a skill. As such, anyone can develop the ability to network regardless of his or her natural disposition. Once we think of networking as a skill, we realize that we can learn to network well. All it takes is practice, and a bit of planning.
“In today’s economy there are a lot of thins we can’t control,” Takash says, “The ability to provide breakthrough service is something we can.”
The need for legal administrators and other leaders to manage relationships with staff, attorneys, and even clients is greater then ever, but what specific actions are required? The following four steps, if implemented, can help tremendously.
People are complex. If you’ve ever taken a personality assessment test, you know well we all have different propensities, values, drivers, and motivations. As managers, how can you get the most out of people in the workplace? What are ways you create cohesiveness and trust? How can you bring dynamic solutions to problem situations?
This may seem counterintuitive to task-driven managers who focus on the news headlines and the bottom number in their ledger. Granted, the economy is shaky and companies in almost every industry are either feeling the tremors or getting hit head on by the financial power outage. Things have changed dramatically and in a short period of time leaving countless organizations thinking, “I have no control over this.”
It sounds academic, but start paying attention to how people greet you. Do they smile at you? Do they convey warmth and enthusiasm? Do they ask questions and show interest in you? ABC in sales means “Always Be Closing.” Bunk! Try ABO: “Always Be Opening.” This is what sets the tone for profitable relationships.
At a well-known Ivy League school, a new, prestigious science building was to be built on the north end of campus. The price: $260 million. Three major construction companies were neck and neck to win the job, make a large profit, and add this esteemed institution to their client list. The decision would come down to the sales presentation.
