If people don’t like you, they won’t do business with you. As crazy as it sounds, it’s a statement filled with honesty. People always say, “Well Mark Zuckerberg was an asshole and look how far it took him.”
The truth of the matter is that people hated doing business with these guys. Many people actually pass on opportunities with people like that. The ones who did business with him were skeptical and had to put up with a lot of stuff.
In this article, I share my tips on how to become the person everyone wants to do business with:
Give A Shit
I respect people that are honest and actually give a shit about their craft. You don’t need to be the smartest or flashiest person in the world, but you need to give a damn about what you do.
So many people go around not giving a damn about their job and will do anything to make some money. I call those individuals sleazy and that is an automatic reason for me not to do with business with them. If you’re actually honest, care about other people’s best interest and put your 100% in on every deal, people will be more than happy to work with you.
Listen
If you want people to hear you out, you need to reciprocate the same action to them. Active listening is defined as something where you respond to things that people say with timely verbal and/or nonverbal reinforcements.
If you can master the skill of actually listening and communicating that to your clients, they’ll be happy with what they have. Look at people directly while they speak and be prompt with your responses to their questions.
Don’t Be Too Serious
Being professional is important, but there is a line that you shouldn’t cross. I enjoy having the ability to deal with another professional who isn’t scared of talking about personal things as well. If you’re too serious, the relationship is strictly formal.
Well-liked individuals do a good job of getting personal without really getting too personal. You can break down some basic walls and barriers by starting some small talk. I’m always asking people how their day went, what they have planned after and I create conversation using those answers.
Be Hospitable
If someone comes in for a meeting, I expect them to have some sort of decency and respect for me and the environment they are in. Don’t be a messy slob that comes in and makes a mess of the place before leaving.
Your manners, politeness and cleanliness are all things that others will look at. If you’re going to eat something, do it but don’t be a pig.
Reach Out
Lastly, this is something that many people never seem to understand. You cannot get a meeting or score a deal with someone unless you make the effort. Reach out to initiate the conversation and you will be surprised at what you can come up with.
Respect people if they aren’t interested and make sure you aren’t too pushy, but always make the effort to try. You won’t ever know unless you try.
Conclusion
In this article, I shared my tips on how to become the person everyone wants to do business with. What are some things that you have done that have made you really likable in the business world? Share them in the comments below.
photo credit: Nguyen Vu Hung (vuhung) via photopin cc
