Building Relationships

Ask anyone who has ever run a business, and they will tell you taking care of your customer is one of the most important factors in achieving success. There are a lot of people who will give you at least one chance to impress them; but even if you have a superior product, supported by excellent service, offered at a competitive price, if you don’t let people know you appreciate them, you may not get a second chance to make a sale. And you certainly won’t get their vote in any “Best of” competition.

Successful businesses—whether they are retail, service, or manufacturing—whether they are brick-and-mortar or on-line—invest time and money in developing good relationships with their customers; because they know that it is an investment that pays great dividends. In fact, a whole category of software has been created to help companies manage their interactions with current and future customers. CRM (customer relationship management) software helps companies organize information about their customers so they can provide more appropriate support, offer more targeted special sales, and even suggest future purchases. They do it all because they know it is essential to their bottom line. It is the key to their existence.

I have to admit that I find it rather ironic (but mainly sad) that companies that are in business to sell widgets, maintain machines, or serve sandwiches value relationships more than some people who say they believe that everyone is created in the image of God. More than people who affirm the call to “love one another.” More than people who claim God has transformed them into a community that represents Christ to the world.

Still the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ give me confidence that God’s Spirit can empower those who trust in God to form, repair, redeem, and sustain relationships with others that are deeply satisfying. Relationships that exceed all our expectations. Relationships that give life. Relationships that communicate God’s great good news to all the world.