Friends with benefits
When you think of 'friends with benefits' you instantly become single, footloose and fancy free. You know... the type of person who is always on the go, loves a glass of wine or three, is on a fast-track at the office for promotion and at times can be known as the life of the party.
There are other types of 'friends with benefits' than the one that is happy for a 2am text message and a mad dash to your apartment for a rendezvous.
There's the one that gives you great tickets to the best concerts because they work for the promoter, and the one with the ultimate holiday destination that fortunately has been passed down generation after generation. For the blokes out there, there are the one's that work for Belvedere Vodka or Peroni - or better still, the mate that picks up the second prettiest girl in the room every time because he has the gift of the gab, only to leave you alone with the prettiest to try your moves.
There are other types of 'friends with benefits' than the one that is happy for a 2am text message and a mad dash to your apartment for a rendezvous.
There's the one that gives you great tickets to the best concerts because they work for the promoter, and the one with the ultimate holiday destination that fortunately has been passed down generation after generation. For the blokes out there, there are the one's that work for Belvedere Vodka or Peroni - or better still, the mate that picks up the second prettiest girl in the room every time because he has the gift of the gab, only to leave you alone with the prettiest to try your moves.
But... this is a business marketing blog, so these things aren't quite relevant. What is relevant is 'friends with benefits'. Those who know you well enough in business, to trust you to work with their friends, peers and network of people.
In expanding our business into the US market, it has never been more apparent than it is today, how amazing some of my friends are. They are happy to refer new clients to my business and are championing the brand and spreading the word. Some are even becoming clients. They are continually ringing, emailing, facebooking and texting me encouragement, support and connections.
Many small business owners are afraid to have friends as clients. I tend to believe that a good friend tells you how it is and at the end of the day, it is about their experience as a client to your business that counts. For whatever reason they are unhappy, it is your job as a service or product provider to ensure that they walk away thrilled with what you have to offer.
When taking on a friend as a client, you must first understand their personality, expectations and ability to see value in what you do.
Once these things are in order - your 'friend with benefits' can be your biggest business development officer - just wait and see.
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comments ( 2 )
Manon
14 Jan 2013I agree with you. I think friends and business have to be separated. It is the same for family and business. When you work, you have to see only the business and not the relationship.
ReplyJoe
11 Jan 2013Hiya Melissah,
ReplyIf you are looking for somewhere to host content for link building I have a few blogs. Email me if you're interested.