My Two Cents on Support Systems and Business Partners

I am a CPA who has worn many hats and who has had more jobs than Elizabeth Taylor has had husbands. I have been working and volunteering since I was 16 years old. I have interacted with people from all walks of life and seen firsthand the value of having, building, accessing, maintaining, retaining support systems and business partners have for individuals, organizations, groups, communities, etc. It doesn’t matter what stage of your career journey or business you may find yourself, how smart you are on paper, how great your brand may see on social media. Without the support of others, you can only get but so far.

I won’t bore you with all the tear jerking stories about the impact having the support of others has made in my life and what how I’ve seen firsthand how it affects the lives of others. I won’t lie to you and tell that getting the support you need is easy and that it’s a one time exercise. But I will tell you that with the support of others, your life, your work and your day will go smoother.

I have seen firsthand how having the right support systems and business partners has helped some individuals and organizations:

• Maintain better cash flow management
• Retain staff members, volunteers, governance
• Serve their community and pay it forward
• Transition after a merger or acquisition
• Offer state of the art tools and training to their stakeholders
• Expedite funding
• Achieve promotions sooner

In the digital age when we are connected 24/7/365, many people find time management more challenging than ever. In real life, everyone can’t be your friend like they are on Facebook. It is your job to maximize your time and make the most out of every interaction you have with others.

As a business owner, business leader, or person looking to achieve more success in your business or career, some of the things you can do to build strong support systems and business partnerships are:

• Ask a person who is good at managing business relationships to let you shadow them or to share some tips with you.
• Maintain a current CRM system so that you have client contact information at your fingertips at all times.
• When you first start doing business with a new company or person, find out who the people who processes payments, handle scheduling, make decisions that relate to the services you are offering and be sure to connect with them regularly.
• Practice actively listening and ask probing questions. If someone mentions something that you do not know, as them to explain it to you.
• Let people you already have a strong business relationship with know what your goals are. You never know who they know. They may be able to refer or recommend you.
• Remember how eager you were as a student and newly minted professional to find mentors and sponsors? Stay hungry, stay searching, stay active. Once you get your “dream job,” don’t act like you know it all. Have a beginner’s mind in a sense. Being arrogant can make you seem unapproachable and may make your supporters not refer you for some opportunities.
• When you search for new business partners, look for people who complement, even challenge you. Sure, you can play it safe or be fearful and partner with people who think like you think and who will agree with everything you say. But when you are working towards excellence, growth, innovation and impact, sometimes you need a person who can think for themselves and hold a healthy debate, etc.
• Always have someone you can talk to offline about things at each of your roles, projects, etc.
• Take care of yourself and look as presentable as possible within your means and lifestyle. People tend to judge you by your appearance unfortunately. If you show up sloppy, tired and looking bored, they may decide not to invest their time in you.
• Work on having high cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness. Work on discovering what you want to do and crafting your goals. People can better support you when they understand what you need assistance with. People may feel more comfortable around you when your intelligence is beyond IQ.
• Understand that not everyone will support you in the same way of at all. Some people may open a door for you but not coach you to the next level. Others will support you for a lifetime. Some will not support you at all. You can't take it personal. No one owes you anything. Embrace the support you get and make the most out of it while you have it.
• Learn the etiquette of the spaces you occupy and leave a place better than you found it. Your career is more than your job, your company, a project. People you interact may remember you for a long time. Make sure you leave them with good memories.
• Allocate part of your budget to work with a branding expert and with coaches to make sure you present yourself accordingly and align the relationships you are building with your purpose and goals.

To attract the support systems and business partnerships you want in your career journey, you will constantly have to move proactively, positively, productively in the spaces you occupy. Sometimes just being yourself, being in the right place at the right time, or asking the right question can spark someone’s interest in you and they are ready to sign up to help you propel to the next level.

Remember that you can be the best support and partner you’ll ever have.