Relationship Orientation

Working on good business and marketing relationships, maintaining friendships, social networking, building them up and going beyond simply honouring contracts to making them special and long lasting can have long lasting beneficial effects on the business. A good customer base will be a safeguard against difficult times. The stronger the bonds the better it will be. To many people this is not new and is natural for many. The message has more relevance to those who have forgotten it or never heard it. The symbol of marriage from Ted Levitt is a good way of looking at it. It is important managers, directors and ministers emphasise the importance of good internal and external working relationships and support it. As tacit knowledge within a business it can be permeated through the organisation by training and development and socialisation. It should become part of the culture with everyone involved. Deliberate insensibility should not be tolerated as customer relationships are so vital. Symbols and images can help people reflect and help the message penetrate more deeply.