This week I have been deep into business experts who are cutting edge in the delivery of their message. Not just big time CEO’s like Steve Jobs or John Mackey, but the local people like you and me, that really are watching those marketing dollars and searching for the best bang for the buck. As most of you know, I attended the Ultimate Business Mastery Summit in Las Vegas, this past spring. Tony Robbins events are simply unbelievable and I am still pulling things from that event that prove each day to be useful. Tony Robbins put together 19 speakers that brought us to great discussions about how those of us in the room might change the way we do our marketing and/or sales. It really is all about the relationships. Completely, totally, without sensationalism, simple relationships. I own all the business books by all the great writers, have listened to the webinars and gone to the seminars. And I simply state to you, that relationships are the key. How you develop, maintain and sustain your relationships will determine your success in life and/or business. Take a look at Chris Gardner, author of The Pursuit of Happyness and Start Where You Are. If you have seen the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, then you know that Chris had an uncanny knack of not giving up on relationships. Even when the doors were closed in his face, he maintained his focus on his goal and did whatever it took to get the relationship he desired. One of my favorites from this week is Brendon Burchard. This young man has a story to tell. And boy does he. After surviving a serious car accident, he begins to ask himself some very simple questions. Did I live? Did I love? Did I matter? Burchard has a fabulous way of bringing home those questions and getting you to realize that by answering these questions daily, you start to change the way you do things, personally and professionally. Burchard was a speaker at The Ultimate Business Mastery Summit. As was, the infamous wine guy, Gary Vaynerchuck. What a speaker! With his new book, CrushIt, Vaynerchuck gives his reasoning on how you can win in business. Going from a wine vendor, the video, to Wine Library TV and now to author, Vaynerchuck has the wit and wisdom to create positive energy for the next market idea that you might have. I have the utmost admiration for these folks and their ability and willingness to share insights into biz growth. But I do think it comes down to relationships. Personal and professional. Finding them, nurturing them and holding them close. At the end of the day, did you accomplish your goal and did you leave something for the greater good? I believe those two things can always be done, if you take care of your relationships.