The importance of building relationships in business

The importance of building relationships in business

As the saying goes, ‘people buy people’. Never more so when it comes to tradespeople. 

Having good relationships with customers, fellow tradespeople, suppliers, and your team will help to strengthen your business and help create a successful, long-term business.

Let’s look at how to build solid business relationships with each of the stakeholders you’re involved with as a business owner.

How to build great customer relationships

Your business relationship with customers and potential customers extends across many different areas.

• Through targeted marketing and advertising, you help to build trust
• Through effective communication skills and online reputation management, you can build a rapport that helps to secure new business and manage the ongoing customer relationship
• Through your work itself. Being reliable, hard working, and transparent will earn repeat business, referrals, and a healthy cash flow

You do not want to miss Checkatrade member, Wayne de Wet’s tips for building long-lasting, rewarding customer relationships. With over 40 years of experience under his belt, he has a wealth of knowledge to share. Prepare to be inspired!

How to build good relationships with suppliers

As a tradesperson, you’ll spend a fair amount of time dealing with suppliers in order to fulfil the services you offer your customers.

Building a good rapport will help to keep this part of your business running efficiently, perhaps even reducing costs.

1. Commitment

When you find a supplier that provides great service and products, show your commitment to them with your repeat business.

You’ll find this loyalty is recognised and rewarded, with the supplier going the extra mile to help you out where they can.

2. Communication

As with any relationship, keeping the communication flowing helps to build a good rapport.

Keep in contact regularly, and take the time to understand how things work from their side to help create an efficient, stress-free working relationship.

3. Cooperation

When you offer loyalty and communicate effectively, your suppliers will naturally want to collaborate with you.

This collaboration will make for a much smoother relationship. With your supplier by your side, a project can be made a lot easier. They might be able to offer you a shorter lead time on supplies, offer solutions to problems, and share their knowledge and experience with you.

How to build lucrative relationships with fellow tradespeople

Not only does it make your work life more enjoyable to have good work relationships with fellow tradespeople, but it can also help you to get more work too.

It’s a good way to open your business up to larger projects, gain referrals, and share tips and advice.

Checkatrade members have access to the Checkatrade community. This is a private online community where you can meet other trades, ask for advice, and find reliable tradespeople to collaborate with when needed.

Other ways to build relationships with fellow tradespeople is to look for local tradespeople online, and social media.

If you’re working on site, take the old-fashioned approach, and introduce yourself to the other trades on the project.

Business relationships with councils, trade associations, and governing bodies

Trade associations and governing bodies are there to provide advice, support, training and guidance to businesses like yours.

To get the most out of this relationship, always maintain a courteous and professional approach with any feedback or requests you send their way. You might find the opportunity to attend trade exhibitions where you can meet representatives and start a rapport.

Where compliance or taxes are concerned, for example, with your local council, HSE or HMRC, always stay on top of your game and deliver what’s needed by the deadline to maintain a healthy relationship (and avoid penalties!).

Building an enviable relationship with your team

Having a positive working relationship with your team eliminates so many headaches and brings so many benefits.

Knowing you have a reliable, hard working, committed team working for your business will ultimately help to drive the success of your company.

Find out how to attract and keep an amazing team.

A helping hand for your new trade business

As the owner of your own business, you have many different relationships to nurture and roles to fulfil:

• Marketer – advertising your business
• Business development bod – networking with fellow trades to source new projects
• Salesperson – securing the new business and preparing quotes
• Customer service rep – managing customer enquiries
• Account exec – dealing with suppliers and placing orders
• Finance exec – sending invoices and managing the books
• Compliance officer – making sure your business has the necessary permits, licences, insurances, accreditations, and health and safety regulations in hand
• Human resources manager – taking care of any employees you may have

Not forgetting, you’re also out grafting all day, making a living. When you’re just starting out, it can feel as though there aren’t enough hours in the day.

Let us help you to lighten the load.

You’ve probably heard of Checkatrade as the leading trade directory for homeowners looking for trusted, quality tradespeople.

But a Checkatrade membership gives you much more than this.

• Your business receives a profile on the #1 trade directory AND a listing on Google
• You can manage your profile on the go via our handy app: add customer reviews, upload photos of a job well done, and reply to customer messages
• Our members saved on average, £470 a year* through our exclusive member discounts. This includes deals on fuel, insurance, tools, workwear, a finance and planning app, and even van leasing
• You benefit from our trusted tick, giving your new business instant credibility. Did you know, 8 out of 10 people would choose a trade endorsed by Checkatrade, compared to one that isn’t**?
• You benefit from the Checkatrade Guarantee (T&Cs apply), giving customers greater confidence in your services, and helping to build your reputation from the off
• You control your membership. Our fixed membership option lets you build the plan that’s perfect for you and your business needs
• You’re in good company. We only list the best trades in our directory. And we make sure of this by completing up to 12 checks in our vetting process. Because our reputation matters to us, and we guard it fiercely

Want to become an Approved Checkatrade member?

*Year runs from April 21’ to March 22’. Spend based on 12,505 members. Discounts differ depending on the partner. Products range from low value items to high value items. Total amount spent on Selco is estimated at £42,380,838 by 7,298 members and based on average savings per member from 2020/21. 10% discount. Some exclusions will apply on products.
**Claims are sourced from a survey conducted by Deep Blue Thinking on a nationally representative UK sample in November 2021.