Creating Long Term Relationships

[Bill Bergfeld]

I have always been of the opinion that relationships are paramount to instruction.  I think people just listen closer to instruction from individuals they "relate to" or have a "relationship with".

What is your feeling on the importance of relationship development and if you feel it is a vital part of Network Marketing, could you give us some pointers on correct methods of upline, downline, and crossline relationship development?  This seems to be extremely tough since we now sponsor from a worldwide community rather than from a community defined by geographic boundaries.

[Eric Youle]

Hi

I have always been of the opinion that relationships are paramount to instruction.  I think people just listen closer to instruction from individuals they "relate to" or have a "relationship with".

What is your feeling on the importance of relationship development and if you feel it is a vital part of Network Marketing, could you give us some pointers on correct methods of upline, downline, and crossline relationship development?  This seems to be extremely tough since we now sponsor from a worldwide community rather than from a community defined by geographic boundaries.

Good question.
In the first instance I would say good communications.  Use regular conference calls and personal calls.

Set up SKYPE or similar video conferencing system so you can chat and transfer data.

As far as possible try to meet up with them from time-to-time at company events.  This means you need to attend as many such events as possiible and get tour team to do likewise.

Eric

[Bill Bergfeld]

Thanks Eric.

I really appreciate the Skype suggestion.  I like it and will begin using it.

No doubt communication is the key to relationship development.  In my hands 2 or 3 times a week by phone or IM as a short blast or note about a specific conference call, product, etc. seems OK.

But there must be more to the communication thing and relationship development than business talk. 

In order to bring other subject matter into the conversation, I often focus on dreams.

Any input here?  What do you do to develop a more personal dialog - thus a more secure relationship?  This could be touchy, expecially if someone thinks you're getting too personal with your questions.

[Eric Youle]

Hi Bill

Thanks Eric.

I really appreciate the Skype suggestion.  I like it and will begin using it.

No doubt communication is the key to relationship development.  In my hands 2 or 3 times a week by phone or IM as a short blast or note about a specific conference call, product, etc. seems OK.

But there must be more to the communication thing and relationship development than business talk. 

In order to bring other subject matter into the conversation, I often focus on dreams.

Any input here?  What do you do to develop a more personal dialog - thus a more secure relationship?  This could be touchy, expecially if someone thinks you're getting too personal with your questions.

You are right of course about the personal dialogue. The technology is the means - the content/subject is something else.

Maybe I could suggest that rather than ply them with questions - which can be touchy - you encourage them to talk about themselves.

Viz we have two ears (well some of us do) and one mouth.

Its as well to try to work through the -

F
O
R
M

system.  I guess if you do this when recruiting and remember their responses - you have topics to follow up on.

Eric

[John Counsel]

Hi Bill and Eric

Just spotted this topic and thought I'd offer my two cents' worth.

The single best piece of advice I can recall hearing was from, of all people, Jay Abraham.

He was visiting Sydney AU for one of his workshops and couldn't sleep because of jet lag. So he went up to the observation deck of his hotel to see if the views of Sydney Harbour would relax him enough to make him drowsy.

As he was about to leave after perhaps half an hour, he realized that he hadn't been alone: another man was seated silently in the shadows. So Jay walked over to him and introduced himself like this:

"Hello — I'm Jay Abraham, from California. I'm here for a few days for a business workshop. What's your name?"

Within moments Jay had learned the man's name, that he was from the Netherlands (Holland) and he, too, was in Sydney on business.

Jay continued to ask the man about himself, his work, his family, etc. After another hour chatting, Jay was ready for sleep and bid his new friend goodnight.

As he was about to enter the elevator, the man called out to him:

"Jay, it's been a real pleasure meeting you. You are, without question, the most interesting person I've ever met!"

Did you notice what Jay said about himself? His name, home state and reason for being in Sydney. That was it.

EVERYTHING else was about the stranger from Holland!

There's a MASSIVE clue here about relationship building.

You don't have to be interesting.

You have to be INTERESTED.

John