Every time you attend a networking event, mixer, cocktail party or conference, youre bound to make contact with someone new. In order to build rapport, you will need to meet your new business contact over coffee, dinner or a game of golf. This especially becomes tricky if the person you just met is the same sex as your spouse or partner. The last thing you want to do is spend each day arguing with your spouse or partner about the amount of time youre spending with your new business contact. Yet, you may be making mistakes right now that are causing unnecessary friction in your personal relationship. To ensure that you get to sleep on the couch night after night, here are some surefire ways to get the green-eyed monster in your spouse or partner to rear its ugly head every time you interact with your new business contact. Youll also learn tips on what to do instead. - Give your home number and home address to your new business contact. Wrong. The only phone number or address you should give to a new business contact is your office information. Anything outside of these office details is really pushing it.
- Tell your new business contact to call you at any time. If you want to continue having a happy relationship with your spouse or partner, inform your new business contact to call you anytime during business hours. Allowing your new business contact to phone you after dinner or into the wee hours of the night is an invitation to a heated discussion with your spouse or partner.
- Meet your new business contact at a nightclub, bar or other social setting. This is a recipe for disaster. Try to meet your new business contact in a more professional setting, such as at a coffee shop, an executive club or better yet, at your office. Nothing will irritate your wife or girlfriend more than to hear that youre meeting your new female business contact at the spa. Your husband or boyfriend will be equally annoyed to hear that youre meeting your new male business contact at a salsa dancing event.
- Skype or instant message your new business contact more than you speak to your spouse or partner. Another bonehead move on your part. You only have so many hours in the day dedicated to business and if you find that your leisure time is spent instant messaging or skyping your new business contact instead of relaxing with your loved one, be prepared to sleep on the couch.
- Keep the name of your new business contact a secret. Oh my, this is a cardinal sin. You can avoid an inquisition by sharing the name of this new business contact with your spouse or partner. Just be honest. Tell your loved one that you met someone at a networking event who youll be spending a bit of time with because they may become a client. Or, they may partner with you on a project. Dont keep your significant other in the dark.
- Speak glowingly of your new business contact every minute of every day. This too is a no-no. Praise the skills that this person brings to the table, but do not compare how much more fabulous your new business contact is than your spouse or partner. If you continue to gush about how wonderful your business contact is, expect to receive a tough lip reception every time you reach over for a kiss from your significant other.
Relationships can be tricky, yet can become a nightmare if you choose not to inform your spouse or partner of a new business contact, especially if that contact is the same sex as your loved one. Being honest about your intentions and keeping your professional hat on will ensure that your partner remains happy while you forge ahead and network with new people. |
