If you are in business, you have probably been burned too many times to count. We have all learned from one bad experience to another that it is critical to protect ourselves. However, there is always a time and a place for flexibility. Bending to the conditions that catch you off guard is not the same as being pushed around. Of course, you will discern which conditions you should adapt to in order to sustain your business,

“The quickest way to the top is to take everyone with you.”
—Bernhard Dohrmann, Ceo & Chairman of Space International
If you want to succeed, build a great team. A great team multiplies your prospects for success; it enables you to form relationships with powerful people who can make your dreams come true. A great network supports your strengths, fills in your weaknesses and allows you to trade and build on your teammates’ accomplishments. When you have a great team,

When your referral sources recommend you, they should sell you to potential clients and make them eager to work with you. Then, when potential clients contact you, all you have to do is close the deal — if you want to work with them.
Most referral sources will pre-market you if they know you produce outstanding results. Most sources only want to recommend the best because it makes them look good and they prefer to associate with the best.

Networks are constantly in flux — people come, go, and move in different directions. They get tired, bored, burned out. Changes in their lives may prevent them from helping you. Your relationship with them may be wonderful for a while and then become less productive or peter out. Circumstances change; solutions that always hit the mark may no longer work.

At times, you have to make changes; some of your network partners may not be performing well or may be holding you back.

Language can be unclear so define all key terms to make sure that everyone is speaking the same language. For example, I tell people that I am going to help them create a message that the media will say yes to. Many people may not understand what I mean by the word “message,” so I define it for them. Their message is a one or two sentence introduction that explains the benefits they will provide.

As soon as possible, confirm all verbal agreements. Take the initiative and contact the other party while the terms are still fresh in your minds. Confirm your agreement even if you plan to execute a formal contract so that no questions exist on the basic deal.
In early June, Stan, a motion producer, called me. He said that he was interested in working with me on a project that would not start until the fall. However,

To succeed in business, it takes teamwork; you can’t make it without help. The day of the Lone Ranger is long gone and even he had his trusty sidekick. Business is now a team sport.
Think how many credits run at the end of a motion picture — they can scroll for dozens of screens. People in pit crews at NASCAR races or those who back up the star attractions at live performances are only the ones you see;

When I first started my business, I felt that I should be able to run every aspect of it myself. After all, I reasoned, it was my business and I should handle whatever was involved. Soon, I found that although I had skills, I also had holes; big, gaping holes where I was deficient. I knew publicity and I had a talent for connecting people, but I didn’t understand what a P & L was and why I needed it.