How Friendships Affect Businesses

I've always been a believer that my personal and business lives should remain separate. On the other hand, I'll do business with friends and relatives and I'll be friendly with clients. But there are certain relationships and behaviors I've always avoided when mixing business with pleasure.

Why? Because once you allow your personal feelings to enter a business relationship, it colors how you think, feel, and act. And if, for someone reason, mixing your business and personal lives doesn't affect how you think, feel, and act--it darn sure will for someone else.

Everyone knows how office politics and relationships are affected when a failed romantic relationship between two co-workers ends. But what about the more subtle nuances of other relationships?

Over the years, I've trusted many people. I've also learned that some of those people weren't trustworthy. The major reason I've been surprised by my misjudgment of people in business is because my personal bias (i.e., emotions and feelings) blinded me to actual facts.

Seriously now, think back to any occasions where someone--in your business life--cheated you or did you wrong. Did you see it coming? Was it because you had a preconceived opinion about the person, i.e., he was a good friend, she was a long-time client you thought you knew, he was a relative, she was smart/held a prestigious position/was referred by a friend?

The Huffington Post published an article on the subject recently and offers some detail and resources that support my belief that it's usually better, professionally, to keep your business and personal lives separate.

You're thinking: But didn't she just say she'll do business with friends and relatives and be friendly with clients? And yes, that's what I said. When I do business with friends and relatives, I always have a business associate around to monitor conversations and transactions. And when I'm friendly with clients I'm warmer with them than I am with other clients, and I may see them socially (as in sharing a meal at a restaurant) but seldom personally (as in attending the wedding of a client's daughter or attending the clients 4th of July BBQ at his house).

Relationships, after all, are the foundation of our professional success. But allowing ourselves to make business decisions based on personal feelings is a no-no. What do YOU think about mixing business and pleasure?

TMoB is available for pre-order!

Taking the Mystery Out of Business is now available for pre-order and has its own personal page on my publisher's website!

Like a good mystery novel, the world of business involves drama and suspense, not to mention a never-ending supply of red herrings.  Taking the Mystery out of Business simplifies a complex subject, showing readers how to identify the killer aspects of the business world and dodge bullets that could inflict fatal wounds.

Starting with attitude and covering everything from money management to customer attention, Taking the Mystery Out of Business is a resource for entrepreneurs, employees, and anyone who has questions about the often mysterious world of business.

For more information, to read the first chapter, or to pre-order, CLICK HERE!

Publisher NorLightsPress MAKES the Press

The publisher of Taking the Mystery Out of Business made the press today!

For all the details, visit my blog post over at Author Exchange Blog:  http://lindamfaulknertips.blogspot.com/2010/11/looking-for-nonfiction-publisher.html

You can also visit NorLightsPress's website and blog for more information.

Tips for Getting Your Point Across

Whether you're making a PowerPoint presentation or writing a bid, knowing how to get you're point across quickly and succinctly is an absolute must--especially when using bullet points in your written materials.

Copyblogger is one of my favorite blogs and Brian Clark wrote a terrific article titled  Little Known Ways to Write Fascinating Bullet Points.

This is a great blog for business people, bloggers, and writers because it contains a variety of information about sales, marketing, networking, writing, and an endless variety of other topics.

After you've checked it out - let me know what you think!