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BENEDICTA BASSEY writes that in today's contemporary world of business, dating and relationship play crucial roles in advancing how far an individual or business can go in realising the dreams and aspirations set for attaining personal or corporate success in business.
Dating and relationship should not be seen only from the perspective of romance and love. Businesses also depend on the development and maintenance of vital relations with employees, business partners, suppliers, customers, and other persons or entities. Companies that intentionally cultivate and maintain connections may be more successful than those that ignore them.
Conscientious businesses might bring in an individual who acts as a catalyst to attract clients and other businesses.
In business, just like in dating that most people are more conversant with, one should know when to walk away. Therefore, it is not a do-or-die thing if the relationship fails to work out. It is easy in relationships to see a collapse as a bad reflection of who you are as a person, but often it just means you weren’t the right fit.
It is important to instead take this relationship as a lesson, and realise that you are worthy of other and greater options. The fact remains that some people are just not our cup of tea and we are not theirs. That is great! But realise you can find a common ground with any personality type if you make conscious and deliberate efforts to research and understand what makes them tick, what puts them off, what they love, what they want to learn, what they stand for, and what they may need help with in their lives or business. By so doing, you will be able to maximise the benefits dating and relationship provide in business.
Recently, when enquiry was sent to a certain friend about her thoughts on dating and relationship, she miscontrued them. She voiced his thought out “so you have joined them in this their marketing-relationship prostitution?"
Just like her, some people view networking through personal relationships as opportunistic or insincere, which might explain the "prostitution" analogy.
However, building genuine connections can be beneficial for both personal and professional growth. It often depends on how these relationships are approached—authenticity and mutual respect are key.
Many see dating and relationship in terms of business as prostitution jobs or permit me to use the word “hook-up”, but this is absolutely untrue. It is just that they are ignorant of the roles dating and relationship play in business uplift.
Today, businesses survive on relationship and dating and only individuals who are business minded and ambitious can tap into the wealth of the privileges the concept brings.
Let’s see what dating and relationship means in a literal terms and why it shouldn’t be turned down and seen as a carnal venture instead of a privilege to cash out in business.
Dating in business term is the setting of a date on which an event or transaction is to take place or take effect, relationship is a way in which two or more people or a group behave towards each other or deal with each other for a common goal.
It is interesting to note here that humans by nature are hardwired to desire and value relationships because they not only keep our minds sharp, but they literally keep us alive longer.
Relationship, dating are cardinal drivers for business minded and ambitious individuals without which many businesses, establishment and entrepreneurs would fail woefully hence, instead of shying away with the wrong perception of what it entails everyone should get involved.
A relationship expert, Agatha Moses, said, “There are a lot of mixed messages, feelings, reactions when it comes to dating and relationship in business especially for business owners, businesses should not and cannot be done in solo.
"Having a relationship partner, organised date are essential drivers for success in business and that is why business moguls who are ambitious can keep late night meetings, plan date trips, intensify relationship for the purpose of making profit and more money.
"One cannot pursue money in isolation and that is why dating and relationship are key drivers for business growth and financial independent."
Not all relationships are the same, she continued, “Just as not all businesses are the same, but every business minded individual faces the common thread of needing to prioritise relationship. However, it's critical to always remember that relationships can actually fuel your ambition to make more money and have free time in which to enjoy it."
My relationship with clients have been paramount to getting to where I am today, Moses affirmed, adding that, “being in a relationship has been great because during hard times I have a strong support system, I have someone or business minded ally with entrepreneurial mindset to brainstorm, collaborate and discuss ideas with for business growth.
"It is noteworthy to say that no business grows in isolation. As one is building relationship, one is also engaging in dates to fuel the relationship and get the client's acceptability hence, business minded people while working smart with dating and relationship must have a core value, vision, mission and objective in mind to run the business offerings."
She said, ultimately, relationships are the fabric of society and most assuredly any business minded and ambitious individual who reject the idea of a relationship will one day understand the value of it perhaps in a hard way.
She opined, "Not having a relationship can be incredibly lonely and it defies our basic human need for connection, like Gary Vaynerchuk said, 'business, like life, is predicated on relationships'."
Mrs Alice Idowu, a former staffer of Leadway Assurance Plc whose job responsibility was basically to scout for clients for business growth, said without relationship, she wouldn’t have got to the height she is at present.
Irish said, “Dating and relationship are the live wire of business and it takes those who are ambitious and see great business dimension beyond the surfaces to grab the opportunities. Many opportunities are yet to be tapped because many businessowners and entrepreneurs shy away from dating and relationship.
"Getting opportunities today lies in one’s ability to build and maintain business relationship married with dating.
“I was making huge money while in Lead Assurance Marketing desk because I could handle relationship with client both those who are highly placed and at the lower or grassroots level. Business minded and ambitious people will grab opportunities using relationship and dating tactics. While many see it as a body selling venture due to their level of exposure, many are cashing out big time with it.” she said.
“While the gifts in relationships are easy to spot in form of investment, business goodwill, generosity, dedication to a brand etc. the challenges lie in the fact that it is time taken, energy consuming and requires attention and focus,” she added.
Idowu stated that business dating and relationship is not about finding a spouse or partner, noting that people have known for years that business owners or entrepreneurs with friends do better than entrepreneurs trying to ride solo.
The same goes for entrepreneurs with healthy romantic relationships, but that doesn’t mean you need to rush to the altar anytime soon, she indicated.
She added, "Clients can be friends and develop into family members of value. Just because someone starts off as a client doesn’t mean they can’t become friends. Of course, you will have boundaries as long as you work together in a professional capacity.
"However, don’t write off clients just because they are clients. A good relationship clientele will birth more business opportunity windows both locally and internationally hence, relationship issues should be treated with fairness and balance.
"Instead of compartmentalising a person based on their role in your life right now, think of each conversation as a chance to grow beyond your present level. That may mean more clients work on a professional level, but it could also mean a blossoming friendship.
"Relationship is not an afterthought to business; it is the reason you got into business in the first place."
