How can you build rapport with a potential business partner before a negotiation?

Couldn’t agree more.. You know what they say - People buy People.. Listen, digest, ideas… It’s all about trust and communication.. tear others as you wish to be treated.. ??

?? when you take the time to genuinely research your potential business partner's background, it will allow you to unlock the secret code to building a genuine connection. So don't just focus on the facts and figures; take the time to understand their journey, appreciating their milestones, and aligning with their values. This groundwork will not only set the stage for a successful negotiation but also show your commitment to the partnership After all, in the world of business, a little authenticity and understanding can go a long way!"

Building rapport with a potential business partner is crucial for successful negotiations. Strategies include researching the partner, finding common ground, engaging in casual conversation, showing genuine interest, being authentic and relatable, highlighting shared goals and values, demonstrating expertise and credibility, being responsive and accessible, seeking feedback and input, and maintaining contact. By following these strategies, you can establish trust, mutual respect, and understanding, leading to more productive and successful negotiations.

In the food and drink world - no two customers are exactly the same. If we want to sell our plant-based cheese to a hotel or a cafe, the approach can be completely different. The head chef at Whitbread recently said they love it when people come with concepts that make sense for the menu, they understand their offering, price points and other considerations that are important like does the product hot hold or can it be reheated etc. Do your research, personalise your approach

Whether it's a mutual love for innovation, a shared commitment to excellence, or a passion for a particular industry trend, these commonalities become the foundation for a partnership that transcends transactions. And it's these personal threads that weave the fabric of a lasting and meaningful business relationship.

The first step to building rapport with a potential business partner is to understand their perspective. Take the time to learn about them and their values as this will help you determine common ground and build a foundation for successful communication. Additionally, investing in developing strong relationships with potential partners outside of negotiations can be beneficial for both parties. Use LinkedIn or other social media outlets to reach out and start communicating, and use this as an opportunity to discuss your experiences, values, and expectations before discussing any specific terms of negotiation. . Ultimately, taking the time to get to know each other will ensure that your negotiation process runs smoothly from start to finish.

If you leave a meeting having been the one talking 90% of the time - was the person truly engaged? Ask questions, let them talk, understand their needs - without this how do you know if you have the right product?

Matching the other person's energy and behaviour is quite critical. Gauge the situation and adjust accordingly. Good BizDevs are a natural at this, but it's an acquired skill, which everyone can master.

I recently had the opportunity to connect with a potential client in the business coaching industry. Through research, I discovered their focus on optimising workflows and wanting to land more clients on LinkedIn. So during our conversation, I actively listened to their challenges in managing both admin related tasks and getting clients. Drawing from my own experience, I shared insights on how l normally do it for my business and other clients . This not only demonstrated my expertise but also created a connection based on a shared goal of using LinkedIn in our sales funnel. In the follow-up email I reiterated my commitment to supporting their specific needs, and this paved the way for a positive and collaborative working relationship.