Let’s talk about advocacy. This is about sales, careers, promotions and more. A friend of mine, Mark LeBlanc, wrote a book titled “Grow Your Business.” This book is focused on getting sales. He writes about advocates, people who will refer and recommend you without you even asking. These are your most powerful business relationships and these customers’ kind words about you can turn into your best sales. While thinking about this concept, I realized the concept goes well beyond sales.
If advocates in sales get you more business, why not develop advocates in other areas, such as the company you may work for. Couldn’t advocates within your company lead to you getting a promotion? Imagine unsolicited compliments from your fellow employees to management. Wouldn’t management be impressed?
How about your reputation in the community? Do you create relationships where people have high regard for you and/or what you stand for? Do people regularly volunteer compliments about you?
The “Law of Advocacy” is very powerful. Success comes from being good at what you do and a likable personality. Who are your advocates? Identify them and develop these relationships, especially in business, to their maximum potential. Remember, it is not about people being willing to put in “the good word” for you when you ask them. It is about them doing it without asking.
Shep Hyken, CSP is a professional speaker and author who works with companies who want to develop loyal relationships with their customers and employees. For more information on Shep's speaking programs, books, tapes and learning programs please contact (314) 692- 2200. Email: shep@hyken.com Web: www.hyken.com