Success in business is impossible without establishing relationships with other people. Therefore, every business person tries to expand his circle of communication, because any business or friendly relationship can become a necessary resource in the development of a business. We will talk about what are the connections and relationships in the business world, how to develop connections, and why they are needed.
The concept
Any business is connected with communication, with business connections. Interaction with people allows you to increase resources, make the organization’s work more efficient. Therefore, the most important factor in the competitiveness and success of any entrepreneur is the ability to build communications in the field of functioning, business communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain business ties. In any country, the presence of a developed system of business contacts with a businessman significantly increases his opportunities. After all, communication allows you to use not only your own resources, but also the "baggage" of partners and friends. The concept of business relations includes relationships with people in the framework of professional or entrepreneurial activities. Established contacts greatly increase the capabilities of the enterprise, because partners bring with them their own set of connections, reputation, experience, knowledge, and various resources. Therefore, the establishment of relations is the most important task of managers and businessmen.
The specifics of business communication
Communication is a complex, multi-faceted process, within which relationships between business partners are built, business ties are strengthened and formed, and business goals are achieved. Business communication is characterized by the following characteristics:
- Regulation. It is not in vain that there are rules of business etiquette and norms of a communicative code - they allow you to communicate effectively with different people in the business sphere. The norms of such communication have been formed over the years and are a proven tool for productive interaction with partners.
- A high degree of responsibility of the participants of communication for the result. Any connections in business communication are established in order to promote and develop the business, so communication participants cannot risk the reputation and future of the enterprise.
- Formal role organization of the communication process. Interaction in the business sphere is based on the job and status distribution of roles, communication participants must comply with subordination and rules of business etiquette.
- Neutrality and formalization of relations. In the framework of such relations, the manifestation of expression is unacceptable, the transition to personality. Interaction and speech should preserve emphasized official notes. For example, even spouses working in the same company must keep a distance and use formal appeals.
Stages of business communication
Relations in the business are subject to fairly stringent rules and regulations; they also apply to the sequence of actions in the course of interaction. In general terms, the following stages are distinguished in business communication:
- Preparatory. At this stage, it is necessary to comprehend the objectives of the contact, prepare the necessary documents, and think out a strategy for interaction.
- The decision of organizational issues. For productive work, you need to choose a place and time for a meeting, determine its format and regulations.
- Meeting and making contact. At this stage, it is extremely important to observe the rules of business etiquette and to set up a partner in a positive way.
- Discussion of problems. At this stage, each side expresses its position on major issues.
- Discussion. Communication participants put forward arguments and counterarguments in defense of their position.
- Reaching an agreement. At this stage, a search is underway for an optimal solution to the problem, a compromise is reached.
- Decision-making. The parties confirm their agreement with the solution.
- Commitment arrangements. The compromise reached should be included in the documents signed by all parties to the meeting.
- The end of the meeting. At this stage, it is also very important to observe the rules of business etiquette.
- Analysis of the results and feedback. In business communication, the meeting does not end in farewell; you still need to conduct a “debriefing” and draw the necessary conclusions. To maintain established relationships, it is necessary to establish a communication mechanism.
Types of organization relationships
Any enterprise interacts with external and internal audiences. On this basis, the external and internal business relations of the organization are distinguished. But for the development of the company, the most interesting still are external relations with partners, potential investors, with representatives of the authorities, with consumers. Vertical and horizontal connections are also distinguished . The first include interaction with senior officials: representatives of authorities at various levels, with leaders of larger organizations. The second ones mean communication among equals: between managers of the same level, colleagues of structural units of the same level. There are also formal and informal ties, both direct and indirect.
Types of business communication
There are several classifications of business communications. Traditionally, they are divided into direct and indirect. The first type of communication takes place directly from eye to eye, and the second through intermediaries, including using technical means and documents. Also, communication and business relations are divided into formal and informal. In the first case, communication is subject to the strict rules of business etiquette, and in the second, it is characterized by a more free and friendly character. There is also the practice of dividing communication into verbal and non-verbal.
Formal and informal relationships
In the business sphere, communications are classified by degree of formalization. Formal relationships are established between people within the framework of groups created on the basis of any documents. And informal ties are those that arise regardless of whether there are any documents for their foundation. So, a business or friendship may arise between the leaders of partner organizations. And formal relations are established between the heads of branches, or, for example, between the rectors of universities. But formal ties do not preclude the emergence of informal ones; they can coexist perfectly.
Business Communication Tools
The most important communication tool is human language. In a business relationship, an official-business style of speech is used for interaction. It differs in standardization, regulation, neutral tone of presentation, consistency, brevity and unambiguity. There is also a set of non-verbal tools that more closely accompany business or friendships. Mutual relationships are maintained through facial expressions, gestures, body position in space, visual contact, etc. Another tool for business communications are documents. In them, information is recorded on a tangible medium and allows you to legally consolidate relationships and agreements.
Features of establishing business relations
Business communication takes place on mutually beneficial conditions. In contrast to friendships, the establishment of business relations always involves the extraction of any benefit from this communication. But this state of affairs is not perceived negatively as self-interest. Entrepreneurs understand that their communication can become an additional resource for their companies and therefore consciously enter into such a relationship. To establish business ties, events are specially organized, for example, industry exhibitions, conferences, forums, award ceremonies, etc. People who can be useful to each other are invited to these events. Businessmen and managers specially attend such events with the hope of finding new partners, such communication is called networking, i.e., networking activities. A feature of the process of establishing business relations of a company is its duration and continuity, entrepreneurs have been developing relationships for years, carefully protecting and maintaining them.
Spheres of formation of ties in business
But, in addition to special events, entrepreneurs use every opportunity to expand the business ties of the company. The main areas in which you can replenish your circle of useful friends are:
- Circle of colleagues. Each person has his own circles of communication and this can be used to find new friends.
- Partners. Each organization has its own circle of connections and it can also be made your own.
- Place of study. It is not in vain that management specialists say that career building should be started while still studying. It is known that many classmates subsequently willingly support each other in doing business.
- Rest, leisure. It is no secret that many contacts are established in an informal setting: in sanatoriums, in fitness clubs, interest clubs, in resorts, everywhere you can find useful people who will later help develop your business.
Resources for building long-term business relationships
In order to build effective business communication, it is necessary to use certain resources. These include the entrepreneur’s personal qualities: sociability, politeness, friendliness. All this facilitates the process of establishing and maintaining business ties. Also, these resources include initiative, the ability to establish contacts, curiosity, openness. Also, resources for establishing connections are the ability to conduct a conversation, a broad outlook, willingness to help.
Reputation and Business Relations
Established relationships in the business are an indicator of the success of a businessman. But there is also a direct correlation between business relationships and the reputation of the entrepreneur, the organization he represents. A person with a positive image, known as a professional in his field, is easier to find partners and acquaintances. Therefore, a businessman needs to not only strive to expand his social circle as much as possible, but also carefully protect his reputation by not messing with dubious personalities that can damage the image of an entrepreneur. A good reputation allows you to make acquaintances with reputable, influential people. Also, the reputation helps to attract the attention of government officials, investors, and promising partners. Therefore, in the pursuit of new connections, the entrepreneur should not forget about his image and reputation of the company.
Business relevance
Why do businessmen spend so much resources on organizing business relations? Then, that quality communication is, in fact, money for business. Useful contacts will help to get more orders, to solve various organizational issues with less cost. Business relationships are an invaluable resource for business development. Dating allows you to attract additional knowledge, information, skills to the business and thereby contribute to its growth and greater profitability.