Foriegner’s song plays as I attempt to make dinner:
I’ve been looking too hard, I’ve been waiting too long
Sometimes I don’t know what I will find
I only know it’s a matter of time…
It feels so right, so warm and true…
It made me think about how true and crucial this can be for many businesses both small and big--finding the right partners.
Building a business or building up your division/expanding a company idea is hard work--and building successful business relationships takes the same stamina. No one builds a successful company initiative on just one idea and one person.
The real work and real success comes with finding, keeping and nurturing the right relationships, ones that help build brighter ideas, which can be built into a growing business or expanding a division of an established company.
I have been studying some research on the ten year growth of women-owned businesses (since I am one) and working with CFOEd to analyze it. The findings shed some light on just what industries are the best in which to grow profitable businesses and can be used for any company thinking of exploring new areas or just how they benchmark to others.
So, look for my SmartSamantha Industry Insight SmartCard coming next week--it is a card filled with smarts.
But remember, building profitable relationships are crucial too. So, when you find good partners – associates, vendors, bankers, clients – remember to cherish them… as they will help your business not perish!