Happy Halloween everyone! This is one of my favorite days of the year. I dress up, decorate my doorstep and wait (see some of my costumes below).  I love answering the door for the trick-or-treaters.  I have watched the kids in my neighborhood grow up this way.  I know that at least once a year I will see them at my door all dressed up and having a great time.  The parents stand at the curb watching them and I wave and call out to them.  Some of them come up because they know I will have hot apple cider with a little something extra in it – to go!  For the past 15 years I have been doing this and everyone knows me.  What have I been doing? Building relationships.

Building relationships is the basis of everything we do and as business owners it is the key to having a successful business.  Taking the time to build relationships with your employees, your clients, your vendors, your competitors and your community will carry you a long way in good times and bad.

I treasure the relationships I have built over the years, all of them are important.  Social media makes it easier than ever to stay in touch with all of the people I rarely see anymore.  I’ve made it a practice to stay in touch and be available to help and it has paid off.  These people continue to do business with me and refer business to me. My network is my most valuable business asset.  I am constantly working with my business owners to help them build and nurture their networks.  It does take time but it is worth it.

What are you doing to build relationships?  How are you keeping in touch? Are you reaching out to be of service?

Enjoy your Halloween.  Maybe let this day be your reminder every year to stay in touch with your network.  Instead of sending greetings on the holidays when everyone else is doing it, try doing it on Halloween.

Happy Halloweeeeen!

P.S. I don’t just dress up on Halloween. If you want to see more crazy outfits, ask me about Ratatouille and Gilligan’s Island.