Roland Spedition’s Post

“At a business event I had a very pleasant chat, except about business.— What now?” This is the real life question I had in one of my coachings: My coachee described the issue as follows: “I had that really nice dinner conversation with that general counsel at a business conference. We talked about family, hobbies, sports and children.I avoided the topic of business altogether, because I wanted to build a nice personal relationship. Now I need to follow up. How do I switch to business ? I almost feel embarrassed to now raise business topics.” Does that sound remotely familiar? Here are some key thoughts: 1) Why didn’t you talk about business at the dinner at all ? Ok, it’s honourable and fair enough to avoid the impression that you might be after your dinner partner’s business and rather wanted to build a personal relationship first. But family and maybe hobbies, sports etc. are only 50% of their life, and perhaps even less. Is it not honouring your dinner partners as well when you ask them about the other part of their life as well? About the business side of their life? Don't you show real interest in the whole person when you ask questions both about their private life and their professional life? Therefore, never be embarrassed to talk about business as well at the business conference’s lunch, dinner, or over coffee etc.. Finding a solution to a pressing issue unexpectedly over dinner may be the biggest and most pleasant surprise for your dinner partner and a real basis for a lifelong relationship both personally and professionally. And that is what you really want. 2 ) Of course you can still follow-up by email and raise the business angle of your relationship. Why not write along the lines that the time passed so quickly at the dinner that you never got around to find out about their business.And of course, you are interested in that as well ! You can always offer to share some valuable experiences and expertise from his or her industry that may be of value to them. Or propose a 30 or 45 minute call or online meeting to get a feel what keeps them awake at night ( now that you have developed a good relationship and rapport). Just go for it, don’t hesitate, you cannot lose anything. At worst the relationship remains as it has developed over dinner. But you can win the world. And your dinner partner can win a trusted advisor and solutionist for all his or her challenges at work. And that way, you would’ve done a favour to both of you! What are your experiences with such dinner conversations?

What’s the most effective way to advance your career or build your business? As the saying goes, it’s not what you know but who you know, and this works on both an emotional and practical level. So how do you juggle the day job and building those all-important relationships, and not burn out in the process? The secret is focus. Rather than a scattergun approach, where you show up to all the events, and plan ‘coffee & connects’ with all the people, spend some time identifying your main business goals, and thinking about which relationships will help you to get there. As well as thinking about what you need, consider what you can offer to others, and how you can mutually support one another. It can also be helpful to segment people you know or could get to know into categories to ensure you’re making the most of your time. Take a look at the relationship categories below and identify those people who you know, like and trust already, and those who you would like to get to know better: Inner circle: these are close friends, colleagues and family who have your best interest at heart. We can easily take these diamonds for granted, but at the end of the day, they are the ones who will always have our back.    Tribe: these are people with whom you share a common interest. For me, this includes female business owners who I’ve got to know over the past 17 years since setting up my business and my ‘mummy friends’.    Network: this includes people who you’ve met throughout your life and career who could support you. Mindful of operating in an echo chamber, I’ve actively sought out diverse networks of people who challenge me to think differently. These include women’s networking groups Hotsy Totsy and Sister Snog (where this picture was taken), the Professional Speaking Association, where I’m currently co-president of the Fellows community, most recently The Executives’ Association of Great Britain (EAGB) and the International Coaching Federation    Stakeholders: these are people in a position of authority who could have a powerful influence over your success. For me, as a business owner, these are my wonderful current and prospective clients, event bookers, speaker bureaus and peers who recommend me for work.    Guardians: these are the seasoned and trusted advisors and mentors who could provide you with expert counsel and support.     Helpers: these include managers and leaders whose responsibility it is to support you in reaching your goals. Running my own business, I don’t have to answer to anyone, however I include in that category the business coaches who help me with accountability and my husband, who is my number one cheerleader and friend.    Blockers: people who may be jealous of your success or see you as a threat: it pays to have a strategy for dealing with them too! To be honest, I choose not to see the world that way, but that’s a topic for another time…    For more information, check out the Relationships chapter of my book, Power Up.

SEEK COLLABORATIONS No matter how lowly you think of human beings maybe due to your unpleasant experiences, it won't change the fact that if you must be successful in life and in business you still have to seek collaboration with humans. You'll need to work with people, partner with people, sell to people and buy from people. HOW TO AVOID HUMAN INHUMAN TREATMENT IN LIFE AND BUSINESS 1. Trust nobody: When it comes to business dealings, trust nobody. Hence have a simple but concrete agreement whenever you want to do business with humans. 2. Document every agreement: Have a written agreement of the contract signed with credible witnesses. That someone agree on paper to share one million Naira out of fifteen million Naira profit doesn't mean they will keep to the agreement when the money comes 😏. if possible record audio conversations that relate to the contractual agreement. This does not have to be in secret, you can ask your partner whether it's okay with him to have the agreement documented in writing and audio. If they say no, then you should get a reason and that reason should give you some clue on whether to go ahead or not. Not every money is worth making, we let go of some for the sake of our inner peace. 3. Lower Your Expectation: Whenever you're dealing with people it is important you lower your expectation but do your best. From idea generation, team building, partnership & business setup and implementation ensure you don't expect too much from your partner or team. This will help you to quickly overcome any heartbreak if it comes. 4. Set clear boundaries: in any business relationship, never be too familiar with your partner or give too much access. This ensures professionalism and prevent "see-finish". Avoid leaking too much information about yourself or unnecessary friendship. This does not apply to friends who decided to partner in business. 5. Envisage the worst case scenario and plan exit strategy: This is very important. Since almost everything comes to an end, it is important you plan for this inevitable end, either good or bad. Yes, I understand many do not like to talk about the "end" especially in this part of the world where we like to cover everything with the blood of Jesus 😂, we still need to plan an end. Questions as simple as "if things go bad what should I do" "if my partner fail to keep his own end of the bargain what should I do?" should be asked and put into consideration. Victor Oyefeso is my name, I am a thought-shaper, futurist, author, entrepreneur and strategist. 🐜 Enjoy your day

Authenticity in the “business world” is so important. For me, authenticity comes in some good/easy ways: → Getting extra excited about a new brand/client/project, and expressing it. → *Genuinely* hyping up business partners and employees when they/we exceed goals and expectations. (or just do something cool 🤷🏽♂️) → Getting excited WITH clients when they brief a new product/offer or have something exciting happening in the business. But staying authentic can be hard: → Disagreeing with clients/partners on an idea or project. (to hash out what’s best, AND being open to being wrong - super important) → Admitting when bandwidth is low or stress is high. (Hey, we're human, and you might be shocked how quickly people around you want to help) → Staying removed from tasks and projects that *others* might want me on, but I know I wouldn’t be the best fit or I could become a potential bottleneck. When you’re authentic, you build trust. You quickly find out that people appreciate honesty and transparency. It makes collaboration so much smoother, faster, and more effective. There's a much higher ROI on being real than trying to sugarcoat or beat around the bush. Can type for hours about the positives that come from it. Without a doubt, some of my deepest (read as: best and strongest) business relationships have come from staying authentic, even when it’s hard.

Is what they're saying, what they mean? When working with or managing Japanese business professionals, you will eventually come across the terms 'honne' and 'tatemae'. There are endless articles about this online with varying analysis. Very simply, HONNE means to express your true feelings. TATEMAE means to conceal your true feelings. What we in English might refer to as... tact, a diplomatic response, or a vague explanation. Japanese professionals may use tatemae to...  • protect themselves from embarrassment. • protect those around them from embarrassment. • avoid committing to a decision in to escape being held responsible. (The Japan Series 132) It’s really hard to go deep in a LinkedIn post... and not being Japanese, I am probably not the person to do that anyway. Instead, I want to highlight ways to better engage with Japanese professionals, beyond the stereotype. In any organization, for open and honest communication to happen, people need to feel safe, and believe they are valued, before they will speak freely. So... VALUE THE LOCAL RESOURCE. Remind your Japanese colleagues that they have an incredible unique and local understanding of Japan. One that we as non-Japanese are unlikely to ever have. Help them see that their observations - when SHARED - can greatly benefit OTHERS to better understand Japan and grow the business. Thank them when they do contribute. CREATE TIME TO CONNECT, NOT JUST MANAGE Go for coffee with your team members, have a drink with them. Take a walk with them. in other words, reach out and communicate with them when you DON’T actually have to. If you are ONLY talking to them when you have a meeting, building trust takes much longer. SHOW GENUINE CURIOSITY Your Japanese colleagues may be hesitant to talk about their life outside of work with you, so don’t push it, but start by sharing your story. Let them get to know you on all levels. HAVE A MEETING ABOUT MEETINGS Set up a workshop to talk about what good meeting engagement looks like. Together create a simple list of communication expectations that can be read prior to each meeting to remind everyone of their responsibilities and how they can add value. I can help you with this. TONY ROBBINS SAYS... "Business is NOT business. Business is not this necessity I've got to do so I can do my gift. Business IS a gift. Business is a spiritual game my friend, because, the only way you will succeed in business is to do more for others than anybody else out there." Maybe that’s the attitude we need to start with. #TheJapanSeries #TheCourageousCommunicator

The Power of Personal Relationships in Professional Success…. In business, strong personal relationships can be incredibly valuable assets, but how we leverage them can make all the difference. 🔑 Trust and rapport are built over years of genuine connections. When approached professionally, these relationships can open doors, facilitate partnerships, and spark innovative ideas. But there’s a delicate balance. While personal connections can be an advantage, it’s essential to maintain professionalism and ensure mutual benefit for all parties involved. Here’s how I approach it: 1. Respect boundaries :- Treat personal relationships with the same level of professionalism as any business relationship. Don’t take them for granted. 2. Value exchange :- It’s not about asking for favors, but about offering value in return. Reciprocity builds trust, not entitlement. 3. Transparency :- Be open and clear about intentions. Miscommunication can strain both personal and professional ties. In the end, it’s all about nurturing relationships in a way that fosters growth for both sides, personally and professionally. How do you approach personal relationships in business? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇 #socialentrepreneurship #law #strategy #culture #business #networking #inspiration

“The value of your network is not in the number of people you know, but in the number of people you can introduce to others.” Simon Sinek People often misunderstand the value of a truly great network. It doesn’t matter how many people you know if your relationship is only surface level. 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨: - You can call at any time of day and know they’ll pick up (or call right back 🙂) - Care about what’s happening in your life, and know your family - Are honest with you because they want you to win 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨: - Only call you when they want something - Will only talk to you about business - Tell you what will benefit them So, how do you build these genuine relationships and increase the quality of your network? Stop keeping score. This is where most people go wrong; they think of everything as a transaction. “I’ll do this for her so that she can help me out later.” “I can do this for you, but only if you do this for me” 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏 Try to have real engagement without an agenda, stop thinking about what you can get from people, and I promise you that before you know it, you’ll have a network full of people who enrich your life. Everyone’s definition of success is different, but I measure my success not in the money I’ve made nor the title I hold…but in the quality of the company I keep.

Today’s short story, Calum Plowright and Gavin Desborough eagerly make their way to the Business BUZZ - Local Business Networking event at the Castello lounge in Wellingborough. They're excited about the prospect of meeting fellow business owners, indulging in croissants, and guzzling artisan coffee. Armed with the insights from their Tuesday evening planning session—questions to ask, objectives to achieve, and takeaways to gather—they're geared up for a productive morning. On Wednesday morning, they rise early, don their best shirts, apply expensive cologne (in Gavin's case), and meticulously groom themselves. Determined to make a lasting impression and secure prime seating, they set off ahead of schedule. Arriving at the Castello Lounge, they stride in confidently, dressed to impress and ready to mingle. However, their enthusiasm is met with a disappointing realisation. The lounge appears unusually quiet, with only a small nit and natter group engaged in casual conversation. Confused, Calum explains why they are here to a puzzled waitress behind the bar, only to receive the unexpected response, "I think that was yesterday!" So, after returning back to HQ here are the things we have taken from today; People make mistakes, these are learning opportunities and excellent opportunities for personal growth! Making mistakes should be humbling, and we should then show empathy when others do the same! Dealing with failure and adversity builds resilience – bounce back from your setbacks and use disappointment to persevere! Always make sure you read the tickets that are sent out and put reminders in your diaries! If you’ve made mistakes recruiting in the past chances are we have made them too! We have reflected on them, we have learnt from them and we have adapted our processes in order to make sure we don’t make them again! If you’d like to hear more about how we can save you time, resource and money please get in touch! [email protected] or call 07476 124137!  

"𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐱 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞." Have you ever mixed business with pleasure successfully? In today's world, relationships are often the key to business success, and sometimes the best connections are made outside the boardroom. Deals are frequently initiated on the golf course, at informal events, at football matches and even at the races. Here are three key opportunities or benefits of mixing business with pleasure: 1. Build Trust: Engaging in casual settings helps break down barriers and fosters genuine connections, which are the foundation of long-term business relationships. 2. Networking Opportunities: Informal events allow for organic networking, where conversations can lead to unexpected collaborations and partnerships. 3. Insights and Feedback: A relaxed environment can often lead to more candid discussions, providing valuable insights and feedback that might not come up in formal meetings. However, a word of caution: It's essential to maintain professionalism and respect boundaries. Mixing business with pleasure can backfire if personal and professional lines are blurred, leading to misunderstandings or conflicts of interest. Balance is key! What are your thoughts on this? Image by Robert Boyle from Pixabay

🤔 The Friendship Test: Can You Build a Business Without Losing a Friend? There are countless stories of businesses built on friendship that either thrive or end in broken relationships. I’ve experienced both. One of my partnerships is still going strong, while another lasted only six months, resulting in a year-long break in our friendship. Recently, I launched a new project with another close friend, and my experiences have helped me avoid old mistakes. Here are a few key lessons I’ve learned that are crucial to consider when starting a business with a friend: 1. 💼 Your Partner Must Be Business-Minded Passion alone isn’t enough. Your partner needs solid skills and business experience to make sound decisions. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself constantly teaching them or explaining basic concepts—turning it into a coaching relationship rather than a business partnership. 2. 🤝 Teamwork Skills Are a Must Not everyone is a team player, and that’s okay. But it’s vital to recognize this early on. A lack of teamwork can cause friction, especially when it comes to managing egos and mutual respect. 3. ⏳ Commitment to the Long Game Your partner should understand the long-term value of working together. This isn’t about quick wins. Business requires time, patience, and sometimes the flexibility to pivot swiftly. 4. 🌍 Shared Values and Ambition While shared values are essential, they aren’t enough on their own. Both partners need to align on ambition and long-term goals. If one partner thinks globally while the other is content with local success, this gap in vision can lead to strategic misalignment. Make sure to discuss your 5-10-year vision to ensure you’re on the same page in terms of values and scale. 5. 💰 Aligned Financial Expectations Financial motivations can make or break a business. If one partner is financially secure and focused on long-term goals, while the other is driven by immediate financial needs, this can create conflicts in strategy and decision-making. It’s critical to have open discussions about expectations early on to ensure transparency. 6. 📜 Formalize Everything A basic point, yet often overlooked! Even when starting a business with a friend, it’s important to legally formalize all aspects of the business. This includes agreeing on how you’ll part ways if needed. Friendships often suffer most during business splits, as it’s easier to share success than it is to divide challenges and disappointments. In the end, like any relationship, business partnerships take hard work—especially on yourself. Your reactions, behaviour, and decisions shape the level of communication and trust you’ll build. It’s not always easy, but in the long run, it’s worth it. After all, two heads are better than one. 💡