When we learn about different cultures, we gain valuable insights into diverse perspectives, customs and protocols, communication styles, as well as so many valuable things that help us to learn, grow, and also, deliver a service when your company is working on an international scale. Building connections isn't all about seeing what contracts you can secure however, and as a company, we understand the importance of building relationships before anything else, and for the Founders of TS Eight, they are making this a priority around the world as they build on current connections and form new ones.
There is so much to be said about building a network that you can enjoy and appreciate, getting to know people who you might meet for a coffee while on a business trip or even while traveling on vacation. Establishing a relationship is important when it comes to building a brand and a business, but there is so much we can individually take from both old and new connections, the important thing is to make the effort and take the time to meet, have a phone call, or send an email occasionally, yet for many in business they want to establish a contact and get straight down to business, but it's not always the best approach.
Why? Because some can feel used, and although there may be a mutual benefit in business, we've found that building a relationship with an individual should be driven by what you can learn from them, what they can learn from you, and showing them that you want to know them as a person, rather than just as a client. Culturally this can often be the most welcoming approach, and although it may take some time to build a relationship with someone, we must understand also that patience on our part is vastly important in building any relationship, whether personal or business related.
When we are traveling around the world, we always reach out to our contacts in the region to meet, grab a coffee, have lunch or dinner, or even just have a phone call. They may be a high net worth individual, a business executive, a service provider, or it may be a service provider, or someone who we may have briefly met during a previous trip. Regardless of their wealth or position, we are wanting to build on the relationship, and in doing so, we are making a positive impact on those we interact with and it is this positive impact combined with building a relationship, which then potentially leads to the potential of business. If it happens it happens, but our focus remains firmly on building a relationship and making friends along the way as we travel the world.
As we have worked extensively across the globe, we have been fortunate to meet and work with so many people, and very rarely do we not build on those relationships. Pleasingly, this is mutual, and we will often be contacted not necessarily for a service, but for others to also build on their relationships with us. Relationships are powerful, and when we build them, we are laying a good foundation for great things to happen, and doing so with people from different cultures is important to us as a company and those who work with us, because it helps us as individuals to grow, learn, and make new friends, and that is exactly the impact that all of us at TS Eight want to keep striving for.
Of course, we are a service driven company, we want to build our business and work with new clients, but when we talk about establishing a footprint, that isn't solely done through providing a service, it is also done through us establishing relationships and not going in gung-ho looking for a business opportunity. Our contacts, network, and friends know that they can rely on us whether for personal or business reasons, and they know they have a partner that they can rely on, a partner who cares about them as individuals rather than what we can get from them or their company.
No matter where you might visit in the world, if you truly get to learn and understand International cultures, and build relationships along the way, you'll find that most will value trust, integrity, and friendship. If you want to do business with an Emirati for example, you must first show respect, in a manner that fits their culture. Learn some Arabic words, the basics such as "it's a pleasure to meet you", "thank you for your hospitality", and "thank you for meeting with me". This shows that you've made the effort and it is very much appreciated and noticed.
You should avoid going straight into business unless they do, but if you can ask them about their day, compliment their home, office, or even city, and take the time to ask questions that might be meaningful to them personally, without crossing a line. If you are able to learn about them before you meet them, perhaps bring a small gift that you give them. You may learn that the person enjoys being around horses, bring them a nice book on horses, or a small framed picture that relates to them. You might be surprised how far this can help you establish a relationship with an individual, without showing them that you're just about business.
Not everyone wants to build a personal relationship, and of course this can often be dependent upon what they do for a living or how established they are, but our focus should remain on showing a human side rather than a side that is just looking to see what deal can be made. People will see through this, and if we can offer a personal tough and ask the right questions, then we
Building relationships interlinks with establishing a footprint and having a positive impact, all three go together and for the team at TS Eight, we understand the importance of each one, but it is the relationship building that acts as the platform for us to grow as individuals and as a company. The global life within our company can be exciting and thrilling, jetting around the world working in Paris one week and Hong Kong the next, but fostering positive relationships with friends, clients, and coworkers, bring more joy into the time we spend working. Having global friends who understand us as individuals contributes to helping them understand what we do, and this contributes to establishing a global footprint through our positive relationships.
This for us has been important to us individually and as a company, and we will continue to focus on building relationships the world over. So, if you'd like to connect, grab a coffee, lunch, or dinner, drop us a note and if we're in the same region, we'll be sure to get together and build a great friendship from it!
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If you would like to learn more about what we do or have any questions, please contact us by emailing
theteam@ts-eight.com or by calling us at (+1) 212 252 2108 (New York), (+44) (0) 203 885 1438 (London), or
(+971) (0) 52 726 4101 (Abu Dhabi). We are a consulting, project management, and logistics coordination company that specializes in providing exclusive global support for high value people and Fortune 100 companies and we would be delighted to speak with you further about how we can help you, your family, or your company.
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