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Defining Relationship: A perspective In my quest for a practical definition of relationship, I found a quote that resonated deeply: “Be genuinely interested in people you meet and people you meet will be genuinely interested in you.” This principle seamlessly applies to our professional lives, particularly in building client relationships. Long-term growth hinges on genuine interest in listening to clients and helping them develop winning strategies. Three key capabilities are essential for this: Being a Genuine Partner: Bring expertise and solutions to foster trust. Ask the right questions without bias. Harnessing Curiosity: Understand clients' priorities through natural inquisitiveness. Providing Value: Offer relevant solutions and identify new opportunities for growth. In practice, this means understanding client businesses and cultures, engaging in meaningful conversations, and creating connections that transcend mere transactions. These principles of trusted advisership are the foundation of long-standing partnerships. "Just being good" is insufficient. The need is to continuously excel, alleviate pain points, and provide an external and unbiased perspective. As such, high customer satisfaction scores are less significant than consistently delivering excellence. The goal is to elevate the relationship and extend this beyond contractual obligations. Relationships rarely flourish within the rigid confines of contracts alone. Initiatives like on-site resourcing, training, assisting with writing agency briefs, and participating in internal insight sessions become part of routine tasks. Trusted advisors immerse themselves in the client's business, moving beyond project-based deliverables. Do these extra efforts yield immediate results? Often, no—it’s business as usual. For the service team, this means stepping out of comfort zones, meeting expectations beyond the proposal’s scope, and accepting that today’s value-added services become tomorrow’s baseline expectations. For the client this means treating agencies as partners and consciously deviating away from the concept of vendors and suppliers. Relationships that can strike this balance early, win! Others pretend. Retaining relationships is never easy. The initial excitement is great, but weathering challenges is the true test. Like life, that is. The more we listen, the more we learn, and the higher we climb the engagement ladder—listen, learn, apply, measure, change, repeat. And this cycle requires careful nurturing, empathy, and emotional balance. So, how do we define a relationship? One way would be to strike a close connection between people, formed by emotional bonds and interactions, strengthened by mutual experiences. Though this may seem like a long explanation for a simple question, long-term paths are often paved this way.

Ask Not, Get Not! So, congratulations on your MBA! You've endured endless lectures, crunched countless numbers, and survived group projects! But here's the kicker – there are some things they didn't teach you in those hallowed halls of academia. And one such is the art of asking for what you want. For example, did you get any input on how to ask your boss for a raise without breaking into a nervous sweat? Probably not. Let's face it – in the real world of business, the ability to ask for what you want is as crucial as knowing how to read a balance sheet. Yet, it's a skill that is often glossed over. The emphasis very rarely is as much as it should be on the intricacies of negotiation & the power of persuasion. No, negotiating is not only reserved for high stake deals - it is a skill that one uses every day in one’s professional life. Whether you're haggling over deadlines with your team or angling for a promotion, knowing how to negotiate effectively can mean the difference between success and, well, a lifetime supply of microwave dinners. So, what are the first steps for becoming a good negotiator? It all starts with asking the right questions. Instead of barging into your boss's office demanding a raise, take the time to understand their perspective. The goals and priorities. The challenges. By asking the right questions, you'll not only gather valuable information but also demonstrate you ability to think in their shoes – a quality that provides a good platform for negotiating. Of course, asking for what you want can be daunting, especially if you're not used to advocating for yourself. But remember, the worst they can say is no – and even then, you've gained valuable experience for the next time around. Plus, you never know what might happen if you don't ask. As the old saying goes, "Ask not, get not!" The art of negotiation coupled with the power of networking is often touted as the key to success in the business world. And networking is not just about collecting business cards or getting LinkedIn connections – it's about building genuine relationships with people who can help you achieve your goals. But here's the thing – networking isn't just about what one can get from others. It's also about what you can offer in return. Instead of approaching networking as a transactional exchange look at it as an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and share ideas. Who knows? You might just stumble upon your next big opportunity over a cup of coffee or a virtual happy hour. In conclusion, the best skills are often picked up on the way. So don't be wary to ask for what you want, whether it's a raise, a promotion, or just a little bit of guidance. And remember, the only silly question is the one you don't ask. Time then, to go forth & conquer – one well-placed question at a time!

Keep Egos Aside, Welcome Teamwork Teamwork. The magical ingredient that turns mundane tasks into marvelous triumphs. Whether you are chasing deadlines at work, scoring goals on the field, or organizing a neighborhood festival, teamwork is seen as the ultimate game-changer. But let us face it - getting everyone to play nicely is not always a walk in the park. Especially when the 3-letter word -EGO- decides to crash in. Egos are like the unruly guests at a dinner party who just won't take a hint to leave. When everyone's too busy waving their own flags, it's a recipe for disaster. Decibels grow higher than the prime-time TV debates and before you know it, collaboration goes out the window faster than diet trends. But then there is also some ray of hope – the lantern at the end of the proverbial tunnel - though this requires some hard work. You see, drowning egos is all about realizing that we are all in this together, like that family reunion where we all play nice to get a fair share of Aunt M’s freshly baked cookies. As a pilot, just decide to drown the 'me, myself, and I' mentality, and you will find people around you who are willing to help. When egos take a dive, communication improves. Suddenly, instead of arguing over who gets the corner office with the better view, we are listening to what the intern has to say on achieving our sustainability KPIs. With egos out of the picture, we are free to brainstorm freely without the worry of being the winner in every instance. Suddenly, it is not about who's the office hero. It is about lifting each other up, like a team of cheerleaders on a mission to conquer the world. So, what is the secret to drowning egos, you ASK? It is simple, really. It is about putting the team above all else, about hanging our egos at the office entrance and embracing the power of collaboration as we walk in. It does take a whole lot of soul searching and a sack full of humility, but  the rewards are well worth the effort.

Unveiling the Power of Inquiry: Why Asking is Important? In this intricate network of human connections, the essence of understanding and enlightenment hinges upon the art of questioning. It is arguably the most important catalyst that leads us to knowledge and insight, shaping the fabric of our relationships and interactions. Yet, within the realm of inquiry, lies a spectrum of approaches, each carrying its own unique implications and nuances. At the heart of this spectrum lies the act of asking—a humble yet formidable force in communication. It embodies the purest form of curiosity, a genuine thirst for comprehension that recognizes the richness of diverse perspectives. Through asking, we extend an invitation to dialogue, embracing the wisdom of others to expand our own understanding of the world. This simple act lays the groundwork for collaboration and empathy, forging bonds built on trust and mutual respect. Asking the right questions provides the basis for opening the platform for enquiry—a deliberate pursuit of insight that goes beyond surface-level understanding. Leading on to enable the art of telling the story - of course, being conscious that this remains a dialogue and does not relegate to a mere transaction of information.   Yes, all three stages are important, but in the grand mosaic of business interactions, communication begins with asking. It is the cornerstone upon which relationships are built, the key that unlocks the door to understanding. To ask, to explore, to discover & tell a story simply.