Building a Trusted Champion Relationship

A Step-by-Step Guide

The strength of your professional Trusted-Relationships are the key to unlocking significant growth and opportunities in Word of Mouth Marketing. Whether you’re an emerging entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, building a deep connection with another expert can be transformative. This journey begins with an initial Connect, Serve, and Ask™ One to one meeting and evolves into a Trusted-Champion Relationship through the powerful Connect, Serve, and Ask™ model, particularly focusing on the transformative 2nd Connect, Serve, and Ask™ One to one meetings.

Step 1: The Initial Connection

Every influential Trusted-Champion Relationship begins with a simple introduction. You meet another professional at a networking meeting or event, conference, or through a shared connection. This moment marks the start of a connection, offering the potential for deeper collaboration. It’s crucial to view this interaction not as a mere exchange of business cards, but as the beginning of a meaningful engagement.

Approach the Connect, Serve, and Ask™ One to one with an open mind and a genuine desire to understand how both parties can benefit from each other’s expertise and networks. The goal is not to immediately pitch your services but to establish a connection grounded in mutual respect and interest.

Reflection:

1. After the initial introduction, what unique qualities or insights did you identify in the other professional that align with your business goals and values?
2. How can you personalize your follow-up to demonstrate genuine interest and show appreciation for the connection established during your initial introduction?

Step 2: The First Connect, Serve, and Ask™ One-to-One

With the connection established, the next step is to arrange a Connect, Serve, and Ask™ One to one one-to-one meeting focused on EARNING TRUST so that Like and Know follow. This model emphasizes relationship-building over transactional one to ones.

The first meeting is driven by three main objectives:

1. Connect: Build genuine rapport by understanding their background, values, and business aspirations.
2. Serve: Identify ways to help them, whether through insights, resources, or introductions, thus laying the groundwork for trust and demonstrating your commitment to a collaborative relationship.
3. Ask: Align your needs with their offerings, being transparent about how their support or a needed introduction or referral, could benefit your business and how you envisage working together.

If this initial dialogue is fruitful, it serves as a prelude to the next crucial step.

Reflection:

1. During your first Connect, Serve, and Ask™ One-to-One meeting, what specific areas of mutual interest or potential collaboration did you discover, and how can these insights guide your approach to building a stronger relationship?
2. Reflecting on the initial one-to-one meeting, how effectively did you demonstrate your willingness to serve and support the other professional, and what would you improve in future interactions to build greater trust and rapport?

Step 3: The Second Connect, Serve, and Ask™ One-to-One (Take Massive Action)

If the first meeting is successful, elevate the relationship through the 2nd Connect, Serve, and Ask™ One-to-One, otherwise known as “your pitch to the other person”. This session is pivotal in establishing a Trusted-Champion Relationship, distinct from merely pursuing immediate business deals.

Preparing for this meeting involves:

1. Your Presentation: Craft a concise, engaging presentation that highlights your unique value and expertise, leaving a lasting impression.
2. Client Success Story or Case Study: Share a compelling client success story, demonstrating real-world results from your problem-solving skills.
3. Personal Insight: Reveal personal stories to build authenticity and foster a deeper connection beyond business.
4. Ideal Client List: Present a defined list of ideal clients to guide future referrals accurately (attend Activate H7 for Support with “Asking”).
5. Preferred Centers of Influence: Specify industries you prefer working with to target collaborations effectively.
6. Problems You Solve: Articulate clearly the problems you address, positioning yourself as a key solution provider.
7. Offer Introductions: Whenever possible, offer introductions to valuable contacts, reinforcing a spirit of goodwill and collaboration.

Reflection:

1. In preparing for the 2nd Connect, Serve, and Ask™ One-to-One meeting, how well did you craft your presentation to highlight your unique value and expertise, and what adjustments could enhance its impact for future meetings?
2. During the 2nd Connect, Serve, and Ask™ One-to-One meeting, how effectively did you manage to balance showcasing your personal insights and professional achievements to foster a deeper, more authentic connection beyond business discussions?

Step 4: Building a Trusted-Champion Relationship

A successful second meeting sets the stage for a more exclusive partnership. Both parties commit to supporting each other with referrals, leveraging networks and expertise, thereby establishing a Trusted-Champion Relationship. This partnership is anchored in openness, regular communication, a prioritized & scheduled meeting using this agenda every 4 to 6 weeks, and the principles of Connect, Serve, and Ask™.

By nurturing genuine connections and prioritizing mutual support, professionals can create lasting networks that drive growth and sustain success. Transforming professional interactions into enduring partnerships through the Trusted-Champion Relationship model is not just strategic—it’s insightful and rewarding.

Reflection:

1. Reflecting on the transition to a Trusted-Champion Relationship, how have you contributed to creating a supportive and reciprocal environment, and what strategies can you implement to maintain the momentum of collaboration and mutual support?
2. As you and your partner commit to exchanging referrals and introductions, how can you ensure ongoing open communication and alignment of goals to continuously nurture and strengthen your Trusted-Champion Relationship?

Written by: Clay Hicks

“When you focus on the relationship and not the outcome, your outcomes become more predictable”