Never Burn a Bridge

Why should you always maintain a good report with a business even when you are parting ways?

It is human nature to get mad and then rant and rave about what is not going well at work. Many of us spend time gossiping and socializing with the main topic of what the problems are and who is responsible. Although it may be a way to vent, it is not the way to gain further business with a client. When a relationship is no longer working, always debrief your findings, give suggestions for solving the problems and walk away with a handshake. It is this professionalism that will gain you respect and possibly more business in the future. Remember that the business relationship must be preserved in order to move forward with other business. You do not need to add skeletons to your closet, as you never know when someone you want to do business with will know the client that you just concluded your relationship with.

Never burning a bridge is one of the most difficult things to do in business. In the past, I have burnt a few and it has always come back to haunt me. I have made it a point to say that things are not working out, let's go our separate ways but remain friends. This may sound ridiculous but somewhere in the future, you will meet up with that person in a position that has a direct influence on whether you are the selected company or not. If you have burnt the bridge, you can be assured that the business will go elsewhere.

I know this from experience. I worked for a person in government where I had a contract to provide certain services; even though my work was exemplary, this "boss" kept changing what was wanted. As a result, I quit in frustration and let them know how I felt. It felt good at the time, but then a couple of years later, I was bidding on a big training project and to my horror, this very same person was making the final decision. I did not get the business even though we had the best offering.

I think the worst thing of all was the egg on my face when I had gone to all the work of presenting a proposal. I had my staff all ready to go. Going back to the company and explaining we lost the bid because of my past actions was not an easy task, but we all learned from it and believe me, I will go to any length to keep a relationship and forgo the work.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://www.BlueprintBooks.com

---

Keep TRACK of your Business Relationships and Gain Profits

How do you know when an alliance needs to be... Read More

Five Simple Software Tips for Small Business Owners

The start of a new year is a time for... Read More

Bogus Investor and Consumer Complaints and Consumer Misrepresentation

Like most regulatory bodies in the United States, the Federal... Read More

How to Start Home Based Travel Businesses

Home based travel businesses are no longer the wave of... Read More

25 Valuable Phone Numbers For Small Businesses Success

Starting and growing a small business can be a daunting... Read More

Power Tools for Business

How do we keep track of our business deals?If you... Read More

Small Home Business: Ad Copy Secrets

So it's time to invest some finances into advertising your... Read More

Six Essential Skills to Business Success!

The following are six essential skills to business success. You... Read More

Outsourcing and Virtual Assistants: Small Business Saviors

Work smarter, not harderWhat is one of the best ways... Read More

Motorizing for Profit - The Craftsmen Have Left the Building

In the summer, I can't drive two blocks without seeing... Read More

Franchisor; Ongoing Support and Ideas

Ongoing support for a franchise system is omnipotent. A major... Read More

Conquering Confidence Killers for Small Business Success

"The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing... Read More

How to become a Career Coach for Profit

A career coach could be simply defined your job seeking... Read More

Small Business Survival

In today's economic climate, the first priority for the small... Read More

Private Franchising is not Real a Real Franchise

One major issue not being addressed right now in the... Read More

A Look at Small Business Incorporating in Florida

The choice to incorporate a small business in Florida has... Read More

Competition in the Market Place and Over Disclosure Regulatory Burden

The Federal Trade Commission is assisting competitor to cheat and... Read More

7 Tips to Improving Your Cash Flow

Cash is King... That is what everyone tells us and... Read More

De-Ionization Decisions in Mobile Car Washing

Many mobile car wash operators would like to add de-ionized... Read More

Perfecting Your Pitch

Why should you describe your business to others in 5... Read More

Franchise Rule to be Revised; Why?

The FTC, Federal Trade Commission, is considering modifying the franchise... Read More

Using Business Broker In the Franchising Industry for Franchise Sales

Franchising companies often use Business Broker to help attain sales... Read More

Increase Your Profits with a Point of Sale (POS) System

Whether you operate a chain of restaurants, a mom-and-pop convenience... Read More

So You Don?t Believe in Outsourcing

Entrepreneurs are hardy stock. But sometimes hardiness can get you... Read More

Politics, Environmental Rules, and Mobile Car Washes

During the California Recall Election, I was very interested. Without... Read More

What Happened to the Money and Freedom?

Ask anyone trapped in a cubical about their entrepreneurial dream... Read More

Why Small Business Must Turn to PR

If small business had no important outside audiences, it wouldn't... Read More

More Business Card Marketing

If you are worried about how many different business cards... Read More

Got Stimulation?

An observation while returning home from a seminar: Getting away... Read More

Window Cleaning Business Start Up

Should you buy a business opportunity or Franchise if you... Read More

A Business Tail: Veterinarian Foams at Mouth, Chases Tail, Learns New Tricks--Case Study

Many self employed professionals find themselves overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused... Read More

Choose Your Own Guru

What is a guru?A guru is a teacher. A mentor.... Read More

How to Give FREE Advice and Make Money

When is advice free and when should you charge for... Read More