Spencer Carlson’s Post

The best way to build long-term, trusting relationships is to get to know people personally rather than focusing on their titles or positions. The latter is inauthentic, making people feel like a sales target or a request box. No one wants to feel this way. Focus on building genuine friendships in professional settings; it’ll take you very far. And yes, these friendships can also be great business relationships, but the most valuable business relationships are based on personal trust.

I am a master at maintaining long term business relationships / friendships. Here's a simple 5 step recipe for how to maintain genuine relationships in business: 1. Set a standing quarterly call that you both are empowered to move / cancel as needed. Having the time set aside by default is key. 2. Make sure you see them in person at least 1X per year. This can be by making one of your quarterly 1:1's a coffee, cocktail or walk and talk. 3. Follow one another on professional social media to get more real time news about each other. 4. Consider adding this person to your personal social media, too. You don't need to start here, but once the relationship feels like a friendship that is rooted in business, rather than a business person you just like, this is a great way to deepen. 5. Invite them to gathering you host, and make an effort to go to at least one event they invite you two annually. This is a pic of me and the CEO of the first company I ever led a round in, Sarah McDevitt on our quarterly call. She sold the company to Hyper Ice, and we've been in one another's lives for a decade now!!! Long term business friendships are some of my most treasured relationships. Proud to call Sarah a colleague, friend, ally, and member of the Baukunst collective!

What do you think about doing business with friends or family? My experience share is as follows: 1. Set clear guidelines and values upfront. In one partnership with Will Gaunt (photoed here), we have a signed agreement that friendship always comes first; we are all clear that we would close down the partnership at any risk to our friendship. 2. Have clear roles and responsibilities. One of my partnerships broke down in 2020; it was messy! It was a merging of two companies based mainly on the partners' friendship. However, the two teams never merged, and there needed to be more structure and ownership. We had three leaders, none of which had clearly defined roles. 3. Friends then business, not the other way around. Similar to point one, from my experience, friends doing business together often play out better than business contacts that evolve into friends. With the latter, the only thing you have in common and which connects you is the business. If the business changes or fails, often will the friendship. 4. Only hire friends or family if you're OK with the relationship changing. Partnering with friends is one thing, but hiring friends is entirely different. It will change your relationship. Be OK with that before you do it to avoid issues on both sides. 5. If in doubt, don't do it! Life is short, and REAL friendships are rare, family is even rarer. It's much easier to find someone to do a job than it is to find a strong friendship. Honour your friendships. However, if you are all aligned and share the risk and reward equally, it can be an amazing was to spend your time. Please comment below on your experience working with family or friends and your key lessons. If you're interested in what others think, like and share for reach 💛

9/10 of the business people I’ve met swear by one principle: Laughter. It’s easy to think networking is about: → Formalities → Being on point. → Polished scripts. But here’s the long-term truth: → Stiff talk stifles connections. → Forgettable impressions close doors forever. → Over-professionalism blocks real relationships. Here’s what laughter does: → It transforms strangers into allies. → It makes you memorable. → It builds instant trust. It’s not about cracking jokes. It’s about bringing your true self to the table. So, the next time you’re at a meeting, don’t blend in. Smile. Share that pizza story. Be relatable. Watch your network grow, one connection at a time. Remember: The right people stick around when you show up as ‘YOU’. P.S. When was the last time humor saved your day?

The business road is a lonely road, that is the common belief in some business people. I beg to differ. Do I feel lonely at times, do I feel lost, do the walls close in on me?... YES. This is where my community and the cultivation of business relationships pays off. Business is not straightforward guys, and the people we laud and admire online face the same rubbish. Don't be blindsided by social media guys. Separate yourself from the drama mamas and the business vampires 🧛♂️ and build a community of business people who believe in you. Effective honest communication will always open a door to freedom. Build mutual respect and understanding with your business people, groups and clients. Consistency and reliability will elevate you to new heights in life and business. Be intentional in networking and relationship building, it's a game changer for life. Long-term thinking and planning will stop you getting caught in the day-to-day business drama. In life or business we will always face conflict. Have the 'bigger picture' heart that trys to find resolution. I've been married 33 years and in business nearly 30. Being right all the time is usually overated and not reality, and being alone is never ever good. CREATIVE 3 MEDIA™ #business #network

You don’t need someone to lose for you to win. You don’t need to bully people to get what you want. You don’t need to try to look better than anyone in order to gain their respect. You don’t need to pinch every penny to make a profit. Ego, greed, combativeness and entitlement are not the foundations of any kind of relationship, especially in business. Business and relationships are tough enough without adding this kind of toxic BS to the mix. In my hardest times, those who’ve been genuine, kind, open, honest and trustworthy have been my go-to support. I know it’s always been a mutual thing. What you give out, you get back in spades. My network has challenged me, changed me, educated me, sustained me and lifted me. I want to keep close those who have nothing to prove. No one to impress. No agendas to pursue. Just good vibes. Good business. Good people. I’ll drink to that!

The Humanizing Force of Relationships in a Digital World Dan Goldin’s reflections on relationships serve as a profound reminder: at its core, business -and life - thrives on human connection. The digital age has ushered in unprecedented advancements, but as we embrace these innovations, we also find ourselves craving the very essence of what makes us human and that are relationships. This isn’t just a countertrend to the relentless march of technology; it’s an existential need that underscores every aspect of our existence. As Dan rightly points out, businesses don’t fail because they run out of money - they fail when they run out of meaningful relationships. Whether it’s with customers, investors, or employees, these connections are the lifeblood of sustainable success. Click-through rates and data points may help us track performance, but it’s the human bond that drives loyalty, trust, and long-term growth. This idea reminds of my Master's studies where I specialized in Relationship Marketing for Industrial Markets. Even in the most data-driven, B2B environments, success hinges on authentic connections. Behind every transaction, there’s a person seeking understanding, trust, and value. In the digital transformation journey, we must recognize that technology alone cannot create lasting change. It’s the human element - listening to stakeholders, engaging employees, and empathizing with customers - that gives transformation its purpose and power. Belonging, as Dan mentions, is one of our most fundamental needs. In personal and professional networks alike, people yearn for connection, for trust, and for relationships that endure. These aren’t just sentimental ideals, they’re strategic imperatives in a world where emotional intelligence is as critical as technical expertise. So let’s take Dan’s advice to heart and nurture your relationships. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or navigating life, relationships are your foundation. They are the bridges that sustain us in times of uncertainty and the anchors that ground us in moments of success. In a world increasingly shaped by digital interactions, let’s ensure the human connection remains at the center of it all. After all, it’s not about the tools we use - it’s about the people we impact. #ManagementMinder #Management #Geschäftsführung #HumanConnection #RelationshipBuilding #DigitalTransformation #BusinessRelationships #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipLessons

RELATIONSHIP - Personal and Professional. Golden Goals high standards term and conditions include with the golden rule as stated: Treat others as you want to be treated. Lessons learned by how I nurture from the Elders #WalkTheTalk that relationship with human are most volatile so do one way to give value and device value. The more value give to others, the more trust are built with a strong foundation that won't easily crumble. Healthy relationships are the core and lifeblood of every business. Building RELATIONSHIPS well. Most valuable currency exchange ever you might have. - 🤝🏻 First law of dealing to earned my loyalty in a relationship is that you need to aware my foundation is built through my dignity. People's money cannot buy my loyalty. 37 years have prove my true loyalty which runs much deeper than the surface allure of money. It's not something that can be purchased, loyalty is a culture that must be earned and it's not a commodity that can be bought. - Remember, I am the industrial people, I do trade commodities not loyalty. 🤗 Relationship = Seed Preserve.Protect.Prioritize “Without the preservation and development of crop seeds, we have no food.” - WOMAN.2010.INDUSTRY 🧬♾️🧠💛🔑 HUMAN.1987.WOMAN

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, connection, and reflecting on the people who enrich our lives. But have you ever thought about how these personal relationships can also be the key to your professional growth? The power of your inner circle—those friends and social contacts you already trust—can be transformative for your business development. In my recent article, "The Power of Your Inner Circle: Turning Friends and Social Contacts Into Business Allies," I talk about practical strategies for leveraging these personal connections thoughtfully. It’s not about making it transactional, but about identifying opportunities where you and your network can grow together. This is a season when we naturally reconnect with people—why not let those conversations open doors professionally, too? If you're looking for actionable ways to nurture these relationships into meaningful business opportunities, I invite you to read the full article here: Read the article here - https://lnkd.in/g28JrfhC This Thanksgiving, as we gather around tables or connect virtually, think about the power of your relationships. Who in your circle could be a surprising ally in your professional journey? I’d love to hear your experiences in turning personal connections into business success—let’s share and inspire each other!

Ever pondered the delicate dance between business and friendship? 🤔 "You're more likely to turn a client into a friend, than a friend into a client." Simple, yet profound. Let's unpack this: 1. Trust comes first in business   Deliver value, and relationships naturally bloom. 2. Friendship is earned, not expected: It's the sweet fruit of professional respect. 3. Pressure can crack foundations: Pushing friends to become clients? Recipe for awkwardness. 4. Organic growth beats forced connections: The best business relationships evolve naturally. 5. Quality work speaks louder than social ties: Your skills are your best networking tool. This isn't just about business - it's about authentic connections. Has this been true in your experience? Share a story where a client became a friend, or where mixing business and friendship taught you a valuable lesson. Let's discuss: How do you navigate the client-friend boundary? #BusinessWisdom #ProfessionalRelationships #NetworkingTips #EntrepreneurMindset