The Relationship Edge in Business: Connecting with Customers and Colleagues When It Counts

This book is a MUST READ for true professionals! I am VP of Business Development at Myles Mortgage Services. I have over 5 years in the mortgage industry and 10 years in sales. I was always attentive to my clients' needs, but employing the simple (but crucial) methods offered in this book increased customer loyalty and my rate of referred clients exponentially. This book gives away the secret to personalized, effective means to reach out to my clients and show them I care in a memorable way!

Most business books hit you over the head with "must do" lists. In The Relationship Edge in Business, the book shows you how to establish and maintain positive relationships, how to be interested and open to many levels of relationships. Relationships enrich personal and professional lives and this book offers so many ideas with a friendly, "can do" tone. No matter who you are, these ideas can work.My favorite chapter is Chapter 5, "It's a Small World After All." In this chapter, the author reminds us that connections can be made, even when the odds seem unfavorable. Positive connections lead to other positive connections.

As a professional sales person, I have long been aware that it is easier to sell to customers that like you. Just like anyone else, I hit it off with some people and not others. "The Relationship Edge in Business" provided me with an integrity-based path to improve relationships with all customers. I read the book for one reason, I thought better relationships might translate into more sales, and I am sure it will. However, the book also touched me on a personal level. I've gained an outlook and process that I believe will improve my life outside of work.

This book indeed goes where Dale Carnegie might have gone had he written the next logical book. The Relationship Edge in Business tells you exactly how to build meaningful relationships with people who are crucial to our success. It is full of real life stories of real life people practicing the 3 step process and experiencing unusual success. I found it very believable and easy to draw on the experiences and lessons shared in the book. IF relationahips are a key part of your success this is a great read.The book is also grounded in sound yet lettle practiced principles about how to more effectively influence or persuade. A great business book that I will be studying not just reading

It is about time someone finnally has written a book that tells you exactly what to do to develop and grow a relationship. The great thing about what Mr. Acuff writes is that he lays out a clear and concise step-by-step approach. The Relationship Pyramid gives you a basis to assess where you are in the relationship process, and then he provides specific steps to take inorder to move the relationship to the next level.Mr. Acuff also provides plenty of examples that illustrates exactly what can be accomplished by following the program. It is a must read for anyone who depends on strong business relationships to succeed. A great side benefit is that it has helped me to dramatically improve my critical personal relationships as well.