Let's Get Personal: The Business Benefits of Authenticity and Genuine Connection

In the world of business, you've likely heard the age-old phrase, "It's nothing personal, it's just business." But the truth is sometimes “just business” is as personal as it gets, and, though we often shy away from acknowledging that aspect of our work, business being personal is not necessarily a bad thing. Instead of looking at it as a hindrance, reframing your perspective can enhance the quality of your work and lead to more opportunities. That’s why at Next-Mark, we are fueled by the belief that business is personal, and we work to form meaningful connections with our clients, their work, and the work we produce. ?

THE PERSONAL TOUCH IN BUSINESS

Business is, at its core, deeply personal. The art of forging connections and nurturing relationships can elevate your work, foster trust, and create a lasting impact. People prefer to do business with those they know, like, and trust. Establishing and cultivating these relationships requires a personal touch; the human side of business where transactions become significant interactions.

1. Human Connections:

In an increasingly digital world, authentic human connections are more vital than ever. Meaningful relationships with your clients, partners, and audience are the cornerstones of success. Don’t be afraid to hold in-person meetings when convenient or seek out support communities in your field to join, and when in-person isn’t available, implement video, whether it be for a remote meeting or to engage with consumers on social media.?

2. Tailored Solutions:

Personalization is not a buzzword; it's a powerful strategy. Tailoring your products and services to meet individual needs is impactful and fosters lasting loyalty by knowing your clients and what matters to them. Anyone can market a generic product, but what sells people is what makes it different from any other option out there and how it applies to them and their lives.?

3. Trust and Loyalty:

Trust is a deeply personal emotion that isn’t given out freely yet is needed to form the foundation of any good relationship, business or personal. Clients and consumers choose to work with or buy from businesses they trust and that trust typically needs to be earned, especially if you want a loyal following, support, and commitment from them. In business, trust stems from reliability, accountability, and product/service quality.

4. Brand Identity:

A brand is not just a logo or a tagline; it is rooted in the human characteristics of the business, embodying the personality and values of the company, and shaping outside perception of it. Without a clear, authentic message, people won’t be so apt to trust your brand, and likewise, their connection to it on a personal level. Brands have the power to humanize a product/service and transcend a strictly transactional experience.

5. Emotional Engagement:

Emotions are central to our decision-making processes and influence the way we perceive a company. Discovering what emotionally engages your audience and then appealing to those emotional motivations fosters profound connections between you and your audience. By tapping into the emotional side of your business, you create lasting impressions on your customers and establish a positive presence in their lives.

6. Feedback and Improvement:

Taking accountability for your business’s products and actions leads to stronger trust in your brand. Feedback from consumers and user reviews are a personal expression of their experience with your business. Listening to and acting upon this feedback shows them their opinions are valued and respected, and there is a desire to improve based on their input and engagement.

?The Next-Mark Difference

At Next-Mark, we believe that by making business personal, we can achieve remarkable results. It's not just about transactions; it's about transformations, not just about clients but about collaborators, and not just about services but about solutions.

Thank you for being a part of the Next-Mark community. We hope this newsletter inspires you to embrace the personal side of business, developing stronger connections that drive success.