There are many reasons why we should be looking to build lasting relationships with local businesses. Once you stop treating local companies as competitors looking to steal your customers, you will find that there’s a bustling community willing to share experiences and help each other out.

If you’ve started your own business, welcome to the club! Establishing a business is incredibly exciting, but we know it can be daunting too. It’s a common complaint amongst business owners that it can be quite lonely during the first few years, but it doesn’t have to be. Did you know 1 in 10 people over 16 in the North West are self-employed?*

We think it’s important to reach out to other businesses, so that you can connect with people that can help your business grow and support your wellbeing, too.

Start Simple

You’re not going to throw open your doors and suddenly find yourself surrounded by other business owners and professionals. It’s good to start small: get to know the businesses near your own premises – learn what they do and recommend them to others if appropriate. Little acts of kindness such as recommendations go a long way and you’ll find others likely to reciprocate. If you find someone that has the same values as you, why not reach out and ask for a collaboration?

Choose Wisely

First things first, not everyone is looking to help right now. It’s important to build up a business network full of people that may offer you benefit in the future. Look for people who can act as mentors. They needn’t be in the same trade as you, but someone who has been operating in the local area for the past 20 years is likely to understand the challenges you will face. Although someone might not be able to help you right now, they might know someone who can.

Reciprocate

If someone in your network is looking for favors, advice or product discounts and asks you to spread the word but never gives anything in return, then they’re not worth your time. Ditch them. Or rather, ghost them, as you don’t want to burn any bridges. After all, a few months or years down the line they might have learnt that healthy business relationships are about give and take.

The same goes for you, too. Don’t be a spoilt child who takes without giving. At first you mightn’t feel that you can be helpful until you’ve found your feet, but we all have something to offer. You are going into business because you have an expertise. What you consider to be mundane, everyday stuff might be mind-blowing to someone else. Whenever meeting someone new, it’s always a good idea to ask them directly, “is there any way I can help with that?”

Be Sensitive

If you have some observations about how someone else is running their business, don’t gossip behind their backs. Chances are your intentions are good and you just want to help, but it can often come across as an attack. You could mind your own business, but if you want to be helpful you’ve got to be careful about how you come across. Find a time to bring the topic up naturally when no one is around and try to find out whether they are even aware of the problem. Try posing it as a question: “How have you found online sales, then? The insights are really useful for prioritising best sellers, aren’t they?” sounds a lot better than “you’re still getting the hang of this new-fangled ‘internet’ thing, aren’t you?”

Foster Respect

It takes time to build a relationship and other businesses aren’t likely to put faith in you without seeing your worth. Once they have seen that you listen to advice, use common sense and can make a success of your business, other business owners are likely to approach you. As with other areas of your life, being authentic and passionate goes a long way.