Comments on: Don’t Underestimate the Value of a Relationship

By: Julie Weishaar

Julie Weishaar — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 02:16:43 +0000

Thanks Sherryl for your comment. It is interesting that no matter how high tech our society becomes and no matter how reliant businesses are on the Internet and social media for promoting their brand, it all comes down to the basics of reputation and relationships. BNI is a great networking concept promoting doing business with members. Their mantra is a version of the Warren Buffet phrase “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it”.

By: Sherryl Perry

Sherryl Perry — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 00:33:06 +0000

Well said Julie. I used to be a member of BNI (Business Networking International). It's a good organization and since it's built on referrals, credibility and reputation is everything. The mantra in our chapter was that everything you do is either a relationship builder or a relationship destroyer. Those words continue to echo in my head to this day.

By: Julie Weishaar

Julie Weishaar — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:12:29 +0000

Paul your modesty is overwhelming I agree with you completely that getting a good referral from an authoritative source can be a real boost to your reputation. I wrote on one of Chris Brogan’s blog posts that I want to be him in my next life – but I never heard from him LOL. I wasn’t kidding! A referral from him would do wonders for my business! (oops – wake up Julie) One thing I can brag about (not like you can about good looks and stellar charm) is my being upfront and direct. Anyone who knows me knows that I say what I mean – no guessing games required. Of course there are times when my filters are a little under-active. You know – the “foot in mouth syndrome”

By: Paul Novak

Paul Novak — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:42:18 +0000

Very well said Julie. It is precisely "who you know", in so many ways! If you want to get a leg up on the competition online, who you know can make or break you. A good referral from a trusted or authoritive source can literally transform your business overnight. It is critically important that businesses realize this and respond accordingly. It means being selective in who you refer, standing behind every last facet of your reputation, and doing everything in an upfront and direct manner.

Of course, I'm an exception and get by on my good looks and stellar charm alone;)

By: Julie Weishaar

Julie Weishaar — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:40:17 +0000

Hi Keith. I know what you mean. The connections I have made have proven invaluable to me in my business. People who are willing to share ideas and opinions can only benefit in the long run by the connections they make. Connections lead to trust lead to referrals lead to increasing the bottom line.

Thanks for stopping in

By: Keith Davis

Keith Davis — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:07:21 +0000

Hi Julie
Makes perfect sense to me – we do business with people we know.
I'm amazed by the number of people I've got to kinow via blogging. There is a great community spirit and sense of friendship out there.
It has really taken me by surprise.

By: Julie Weishaar

Julie Weishaar — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:15:23 +0000

Hello Nostalgic,

Thanks for the comment. Yes I agree that people in business anywhere can benefit from traditional social networking.

By: Nostalgic

Nostalgic — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 16:08:27 +0000

Hello Julie,

I am new to Bloggers and this is my first post! Your post contains some good advices to small businesses; the word of moth and viral marketing are essential tools of marketing for small businesses. Small businesses can't afford the more expensive marketing channels and therefore, they should rely on such marketing tools. You mentioned that small businesses also can benefit from social networking on the Internet; this is a good idea in developed countries but I think it is less effective in developing countries. Nevertheless, people in developing countries can still benefit from the traditional social networking.