B2B companies that narrowly focus on product and price miss the chance to build strong bonds with their customers

Many business-to-business (B2B) companies think that if they sell their products or services at the lowest price, they win. That approach may work until a competitor initiates a price war or comes up with a new product. Then the B2B company is intensely vulnerable, easily replaced, and certain to lose profit.

Competing on price is a losing strategy, and Gallup research……..

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5 Ways Belly-to-Belly Meetings Are Better for Business

Social media and other types of online networking have revolutionized business. You can connect with customers, clients and partners half way around the world.

But are there times when face to face, or as they are sometimes called, belly to belly meetings are still beneficial?

You bet, say members of the small business community.

Face to Face Meetings Accelerate Networking

Loved the article and in the age of online the face to face or as Shawn says “belly to belly” approach is vitally important.  It was mentioned about our EI and how important this is when it comes to building relationships and the trust that is needed for them to develop – interacting online does not always allow the full range of emotions to come into play.  Face to face should always be part of your relationship building strategy – the same as social media is a part of your marketing strategy.

By Shawn Hessinger

Shawn is a journalist and social media networker with more than a decade of experience in the traditional newspaper business before moving to the digital world. He was the former community manager of BizSugar and the former community editor at AllAnalytics, a site dedicated to professionals in the business intelligence and analytics community.

Full article here

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How to overcome your fear of networking

Arden Clise, Columnist – Puget Sound Business Journal

In-person networking is probably one of the most angst-provoking events many people face, right after public speaking and a root canal.

A lot of folks are uncomfortable with mingling and don’t feel confident in what they are doing. Others think they have it all figured out yet leave insulted, annoyed bodies in their wake.

A colleague shared a networking story that while extreme, is something that happens more often than it should

ARDEN CLISE specializes in business etiquette, customer service, social media etiquette, communication styles and executive presence consulting. She can be reached at 206.708.1670 or Arden@CliseEtiquette.com