10 Strategic Account Planning Tips for Better Relationships

When you want to score high as a builder of relationships—whether in your personal life or as a step in strategic account planning—follow these ten tips for building and cementing long-term connections. 

Work to adopt these strategic account planning behaviors and make them part of your DNA. Strong relationships help determine your success in strategic accounts. Building and maintaining them are worth your time and effort.

1. Show a genuine interest in your strategic accounts.
   Do this by focusing all your attention on your conversation partner. Do not be distracted by your phone or by the chatter at the next table. Your focus indicates your level of understanding and caring.
2. Listen well to your strategic accounts.
   You know, we hope, what it is to have a friend who really, really listens to you. Rather than thinking of what they want to say next, they hear and understand what you are saying. These are the people whose company you seek.
3. Remember significant facts about your strategic accounts.
   When you listen well, you will soon tune into what matters to the other person. Remember what is most important to them in your conversations. Do they talk about their work, their children, their hobbies, their causes? Take notes after your interaction, if necessary, so you can recall facts about their job, their family, their interests and their passions. Your subsequent conversations will reach a whole new level.
4. Make sure you understand your strategic accounts.
   Confirming questions can ensure that you correctly understand what they are saying. Ask questions that mirror their thoughts to be sure you are getting what they want to share with you.
5. Be consistent with your strategic accounts.
   Don’t flip-flop your emotions…hot one day, cold the next. People like to be able to count on your reactions. They prefer steadiness in relationships, not unpredictability.
6. Be genuine with your strategic accounts.
   Never pretend interest. If you are preoccupied with your own concerns, it is better to say so honestly upfront. Then plan when you can spend meaningful time together.
7. Share your feelings with your strategic accounts.
   A relationship goes two ways. As important as it is to listen well, the relationship should be balanced. When it is appropriate and at a level that fits with the pace and depth of your connection, share what is on your mind and in your heart. 
8. Be a trustworthy confidante for your strategic accounts.
   Know how to keep others’ feelings to yourself. Nothing destroys a relationship faster than betraying a confidence. Gossip is ugly and definitely has no place in a professional setting.
9. Show your optimism to your strategic accounts.
   People naturally gravitate to someone who is positive about the future and able to lift others’ spirits.
10. Don’t forget to have fun with your strategic accounts.Relationships thrive in both difficult and fun times. Be empathetic and caring as needed. But don’t forget to share the good times too.

When you follow these ten strategic account planning tips, you will foster ever stronger relationships…both personally and professionally. And when you can apply them to your strategic accounts, the partner relationship will flourish.

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