We all know that property is a people business, in fact the vast majority of businesses still revolve around personal relationships and are underpinned by three simple principles. While platforms like Zoom, Messenger and WhatsApp have made it easy to communicate 
on a daily basis there really is nothing quite like meeting people face to face. Which is why I regularly fly 
from Bahrain back to the UK to catch up with my property peers, friends, and associates.
KNOW - LIKE - TRUST
I am sure you have heard these terms bandied around, well for good reason. Experts say that most people make a first impressions 😎 of a person within 7 seconds and studies have found that our first impressions of people are 76% accurate 😮; so, we are pretty good at recognising our gut instincts. 😏
As you head off to your next networking event here are a few tips to help you get started: 👇
KNOW:
🧐 Getting to know someone is just as much about them as it is their business.
❓ Ask the people you meet lots of questions; a Harvard Study showed that people who asked questions and then at least two follow up questions increased how much the other person liked them.
👍 Share personal details about yourself, your family, and find common interests.
🙂 Smile, it is easy for nerves to take over if it is your first event!
LIKE:
🥰 Be yourself, no one likes a faker.
🤠 Horses for course – simple fact, different people are suited to different people.
🤔 Do you like and agree with the persons values, ethics, and approach to life?
🕧 Can you see yourself spending time in their company and time flying by?
TRUST:
Now trust is a whole different ball game and not something that can be built from one meeting and a quick coffee.
💻 Start with Zoom calls and regular discussions – don’t make them all property focussed.
🤝 Meet regularly, shares the highs and lows of your property journey and life in general.
😌 Build understanding around how you deal with challenges, your attitude to risk and exposure.
🤫 Build trust through sharing of sensitive topics.
PROGRESSION:
If you can put a tick in the box for KLT then you are well on your way to having great support within your network “your network is your net worth”. 🤩
🏃 This usually starts with the relationship developing to having a “go to” person who you chat with regularly.
🍽️ Enjoyable lunch and dinner meetings.
🏗️ Site Visits and collaboration on work behind the scenes.
😉 Sharing of deals.
💬 Discussions towards more formalised JV partnerships (if that floats your boat).
Now Rome was not built in a day and nor will longstanding valuable relationships, take time to get to know people before jumping into a deal, it will pay dividends in the end! 💯
The list is far too long to mention everyone……………..but my thanks go to the following for their support, advice, guidance, time and for be all round “good eggs”!
Elly Freeman – @lovetohomeproperties
Joanna Tabaku – @rite.dom
Jessica Landale – @cosmograceproperty_jelandale
Andrew Edwards – @edwardspropertyinvesting
Adrian Smith – @alr_properties_ltd
Jeremy Wood – @koveproperties
Charlie Sullivan – @capstonefox_
