Productivity and happiness increase significantly for women with a best friend at work. You don’t need EVERYONE to be your best friend, but when you have a work “bestie” (can be different than a non-work bestie) work satisfaction improves a lot. One of the best parts of network marketing is getting to work and buy from your friends. But, it can also be a huge point of tension if intentions are unclear.
I don’t think the question is, “how do we separate it?” I think the question is, “how do we integrate it in a way where the relationships improve, and how do we maintain friendships when a business relationship has run its course?”
The overall answer is, communicate proactively. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me once, shame on me.
Tip #1- hold it loosely. You are friends first, and the business relationships are secondary. This is up to us, and when we know what’s first, our friends will know.
- be proactive in nurturing the friendship side
- your history will be the foundation on their perception of you
Tip #2- acknowledge the awkward
- acknowledge that there can be complications and if they want to opt-out, it’s ok and they can just tell you. Maybe use a silly phrase so it’s not like a break-up.
Tip #3- create proactive safeguards after the initial “acknowledge the awkward.”
- FB messenger for business, text for personal- this way everyone knows which role is which
- Don’t bring it up at social events. Allow them to bring it up, but put on your friend hat. Use the agreed upon method of contacting later if you want to chat about business stuff.
- acknowledge- hi this is your _____ rep. Hi, this is your friend calling.
Tip #4- make sure you have a secondary support system- so your friend isn’t also your full-time business confidante
- A neutral 3rd party helps to ease the heaviness on relationships where business/friendships are intertwined. Don’t add extra pressure for your friends to be in your business, and also your mentor, coach, or business therapist. There will be things I tell my friends that are transparent, but the really messy vulnerable stuff, I leave for my coach.
Watch the full video below.
When you are ready there are a few ways to work with us:
Step 1: Download a FREE copy of my book, “Customer First” at emergesalestraining.com/book. Could we be looking at the business all wrong, and that’s why we are stuck? Today’s economy is customer driven, and businesses that don’t make decisions by putting the customer first really struggle. Read about what it looks like to run a “customer first, team second, and ego third” network marketing business to increase your team sales at all levels.
Step 2: Sign up for a FREE Focus Call. Fill out a brief form at emergesalestraining.com/chat and a member of our team will connect with you to chat through your goals, your current situation, identify the #1 obstacle that is holding you back, and give you an action plan. At the end, you will feel clear and confident about what you need to focus on in your business to reach your goals. If you want us to work with you to implement the plan, great! We will share how that works and get you set up so you can gain quick momentum. If not, no big deal, we want to make sure you have clarity no matter what. Go to emergesalestraining.com/chat to schedule.
Step 3: Join the Emerge Surge. The Emerge Surge is our year-round group coaching program where you will be able to organize and implement your productivity, sales, recruiting, leadership, and social media systems at your own pace. Attend live coaching calls with Tasha 1x per week, watch simple “what to do next and what to say” videos to move into action immediately, and collaborate with other “doers” to hold yourself accountable and inspire you to be the best version of yourself. You never have to feel alone again. Join for only $47 at emergesalestraining.com/emergesurge