The Recipe of Business Relationships

What I have observed that foods – be they of any kind, there is something that completes the palate – the ketchup, the jus, the pickle, the green chutney, the sliced onion, the poppadum. Being an advocate of #ReturnOnRelationships, I can deeply identify the need to play a role of the Green Chutney to make business relationships deeper and long term.

Here I am sharing six essential ingredients to create the recipe for Return on Relationships:

1. Be there – This simply means being there for anyone in your fraternity, so when they need your help for something, simply do it even if it is remotely possible. My mantra of ‘short life, enable more’ may seem philosophical, however, relationships work by indulging the heart. Any relationship. So be there, be punctual for any meeting and ensure atleast one key item that keeps the relationship on.
2. Do not overwhelm – Maintaining business relationships does not require sending ‘wassup? Good morning’ texts and I do not recommend that. May be try wishing on their birthdays and ensure to stay connected atleast once a month or two. More than a quarter without a hello is not recommended as well. Here is what I do, every quarter I invest 2 hours to send out personalized texts (not emails) to my business connects. Something to the effect of – Hi, hope you are doing well. Been a while. Just meaning to drop in a hello. Have a wonderful week. This is how I set ‘no expectations’ that puts the other person at ease. Some respond back, some don’t, which is okay. But I ensure that the numbers are not just numbers, they are people, they are potential relationships which may convert.
3. Invest time in knowing people – I keep thinking about micro moments. About how next I can create a moment of ‘delight’ for us. Yes, think ‘us’ rather than he/she or me. This takes conscious effort, time, passion with active listening is a catalyst. Take out time to visit events and create more opportunities to meet.
4. Identify the opportunity – Usually, almost every day there is an opportunity to create a ‘WoW’ moment for someone. Be it your client, your friend, your business connects, your family. Where we get stuck is, we may feel that it is not in our priority of things to identify those opportunities. So, like Return on Investments take time, so does Return on Relationships.
5. Not having an agenda is at times good – Creates magic and genuineness, however this only happens ideally when both sides have reached a specific comfort zone, though still, a stimulating conversation glue is required. Only lunch, coffee bear does not do it. Every meeting or call should be focused on making it an experience rather than just another meeting or call. There is a dire need to change this mindset, that I have observed.
6. Silence does not work – Respond and close threads. Forgetting things is not a luxury that we can afford here. Have clarity and be upfront, yet articulate, honest yet kind.

And yes, your green chutney is your charm which is exclusive to only you! Keep working on that and keep that alive.

The views expressed here are that of the author and do not necessarily reflect that of Reputation Today.

Dr. Ankoor Dasguupta

Dr. Ankoor Dasguupta, President’s Select Member of Leaders Excellence [MLE] at Harvard Square, is a prominent figure in the industry, serves as a mentor, advisor, and speaker at the Indian Institute of Film Training & Digital Marketing (IFTDM). Holding a significant role on the Advisory Board of the Marketing Department at ISBR Business School, Ankoor is also on the Advisory Board of Global Mathematics & Mathematics Olympiad Graded Assessment Test with Competition. Ankoor is also an empanelled Speaker at SpeakIn which also runs the Indian Speaker Bureau.

Extending beyond academia; Ankoor has been honoured with the "CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE 2024" award by Passion Vista and recognized as the "MAN OF EXCELLENCE, 2024" by the prestigious Indian Achievers' Award. Additionally, he received the "LEADER 2.0 AWARD, 2023" from adgully and was named a "DIGITAL KAIZEN LEADER by DigiAdCon 2024”, Dr. Dasguupta's contributions to the field of marketing are widely acclaimed, marking him as an inspiring thought leader in his domain. Ankoor is also a member of IMA India’s CMO Forum.

Most recently Dr. Dasguupta has been selected and felicitated with the national level award -Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Inspiration Award 2024 in the category Youth Icon of the Year.

Dr. Dasguupta is a key member of the esteemed International CMO Council and keeps delivering lectures at top Business Schools and also colleges at University of Delhi. As an industry expert, Ankoor has also been a member of the interview panel at MICA for their PGP Group Exercise & Personal Interview PI process for PGDM-C/PGDM selection for two consecutive years. Dr. Dasguupta is also on the Advisory Board of the Marketing Department at ISBR Business School, Bangalore. Recognized by DMA Asia as a marketing Ace, Dr. Dasguupta is a LinkedIn Top Voice, advocate of social impact, driven by kaizen, Ankoor believes in the power of Energy and Energize

Dr. Ankoor is practicing his PCC (Level 2) coaching from the gold standard International Coaching Federation [ICF]. He is a people's person and has worked across functions in senior leadership positions in marketing, advertising, media & communication with a pedigree of 24 years and ongoing exciting journey. Trained from Dale Carnegie in Mentoring to Develop Talent, Ankoor is a marketing practitioner, a coach, a knowledge manager, a team builder, a thought-leader, an avid writer with close to 100 published articles / interviews and is a Thought Leader. Dr.Ankoor wears the hat of a CMO as well. His leisure pursuits are reading, effective listening and percussion. Follow Dr. Ankoor Dasguupta on LinkedIn| https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankoordasguupta/