In business, it's easy to burn bridges with people. By "burning bridges" I mean, destroy relationships with your customers, clients, employees, vendors, etc.It's one of biggest mistakes I see businesses make. And quite frankly, it's a stupid mistake. It's so stupid, I'm willing to admit I was reigning champ of burning bridges with my clients and friends...and it cost me dearly.
There was a time in my life when:
* I wouldn't return phone calls
* I wouldn't follow-up with a referral from a client
* I'd miss an appointment and not call to apologize
* I wouldn't pay my vendors on time
* I'd squable over a few dollars, or
* I'd act apathetic from a good deed from another
Isn't that stupid? Of course it is. And, I'm not-so-happy to say that I am NOT only person who does this. Many of my own clients don't even realize how damaging it is to their own business, their reputations, and their credibility.
I AM happy to say, however, that I've mended my ways. The primary reason I got my act together was because a teacher of mine gave me a proverbial 'slap-in-the-face' and said, "your business is about relationships and you are detroying all of them."
I really took that to heart. I do understand that it's important to cultivate, maintain and nurture relationships with people we do business with - not to burn bridges.
My business (marketing coaching) relies completely on my reputation, credibility, and rapport I build and keep with my clients. If I burn bridges with my clients, I burn a little bit of myself along way.
Positive relationships are key to success in business.
What if we've already burned bridges with people we've done business with in past? Is it too late to make peace?