KARL SMITH: The Diversity Challenge: Good Business Relationships Are Possible

By Karl Smith

Good business relationships are all about how you relate to people. The diverse South African society requires particular people skills to build your business. People not only come with different personality types but from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds as well. They are individuals who despite their differences have many similarities. Business owners, employers and managers who can motivate individuals to focus on common interests amidst diversity, have the edge over others who lack this vital skill. In my opinion, the ability to put oneself in the shoes of others – whether they are new contacts, employers, colleagues etc – is one of the most crucial people skills to succeed in business particular and life in general. This skill is also known as “empathy”: the ability to identify with and understand the wants, needs, and viewpoints of those around you. In fact UNICEF, UNESCO and World Health Organisation identified “empathy” as one of the ten core life skills that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life. You are not borne with this skill: you acquire it, your nurture it and you work on it as long as you live - it remains a project under construction. You think about it every time before you speak or act. I have recently interviewed Wayne Poggenpoel, Chief Operating Officer -.Global Synergic to solicit his views on networking. Global Synergic comprises of a network of diverse independent associates and specialists. Needless to note, entrepreneurs or professionals who operate within a network of associates – whether informal or formal – are challenged by diverse needs and independent minds.

Question:What is your understanding of networking?
Answer: Building relationships

Question: What role does it play in your life?
Answer: Building friendship and surrounding myself with like minded persons

Question: Your firm consists of independent companies. How does it make decisions as most entrepreneurs like to do their on thing?
Answer: There are governance structures in place that reflects key responsibilities and decision making powers

Question: How do you manage the different relationships and what is your biggest challenge?
Answer: We manage it in the best interests of the organization. All decisions made are firstly in the interests of the company and then the individual. The biggest challenge is trying to align the interests of the company and those of the individuals.

Question: In bringing in new networks, which qualities are you looking for in an individual?
Answer: We all like to do business with those we trust and like. Key qualities I look for include honesty, integrity and trust

Question: Your group comes from diverse backgrounds. How do you manage the diverse interests?
Answer: We manage it in the best interests of the organization. All decisions made are firstly in the interests of the company and then the individual. Why? We are all different individuals and all have different perceptions and thoughts. Now consider which scenario would be easier to achieve consensus? The company which has one interest or the individuals who have many interests?

Question: You say you believe in a mindset of abundance. What is it and Why?
Answer: This world has an abundance of resources. There is enough for all of us. It is about changing our mindset with the belief that this world has something to offer us all. The challenge is when the greed mentality sets in i.e. the belief that I cannot give others as it will be detriment to my wellbeing. It is not the belief I am concerned with but the behavior it creates. Let us think about it, can a greed-like mentality creating a greed-like behavior ever be sustainable in long term? You decide.

Question: Your top tip for networking?
Answer: Be yourself. People like you as the person you are and not the person you want to be.

Wayne’s comment “we all like to do business with those we trust and like’ resonates with my philosophy in business networking and business relationship building. I am convinced that leaders, managers, entrepreneurs and business owners who understand this approach will be winners.

You can read more about Wayne’s business by visiting www.globalsynergex.co.za. Karl Smith is the author of “Beyond The Business Handshake: Dare To Build High-Trust Business Relationship”, South Africa’s Business Networking & Referral Coach, and the owner of Business Networking South Africa.

Visit www.businessnetworkingsouthafrica.co.za to see Karl in action, see what Karl’s clients says, book Karl to speak or to do in-company training, attend a public event, subscribe to his newsletter or to use the free networking resources.


For more information, please visit Karl's TNNW Bio.
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KARL SMITH: The Diversity Challenge: Good Business Relationships Are Possible