The Holy Grail of Marketing: Building Relationships in the C-Suite – Jeffrey Hayzlett

One of the most crucial elements of business is the relationship. Without relationships, business simply doesn’t get done. And no one knows the importance of relationships better than executives. Most of them don’t get to that level without developing strong relationships with team members, customers and partners.

In interviewing executives for theC-Suite with Jeffrey Hayzlett, I was reminded how tough it is to get to the C-Suite. Most people don’t realize this significant fact: It’s easier to become a professional athlete than it is to get a seat at the C-Suite table.

The C-Suite Network: A Forum to Discuss C-Suite Challenges

C-Suite executives are constantly faced with evolving challenges. Yet, because they’re so on-the-go they have very few opportunities to meet, discuss and solve issues with other C-level execs.

In response to that need, we created a new kind of forum: The C-Suite Network. This unique network connects executives with their peers. The members have a forum to discuss issues, educate each other and in turn help enhance each other’s profitability and success. The content and business intelligence are tailored for the C-Suite.

Mark my words: The C-Suite Network will be the largest network of C-level leaders and executives.

Powerful? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely. This is how we are doing it.

The First Step: The C-Suite Network Conference

Earlier this year, Thomas White and I hosted the first C-Suite Network Conference in Dallas. Relationship building was on display as we had two days of connecting, networking, discussions and problem solving with some of the world’s most influential leaders.

It was truly awe-inspiring. Here are some of the highlights:

• In a panel discussion with Mitel’s CEO Rich McBee, CMO Martyn Etherington and EVP Joe Vitalone, we discussed the strategies Mitel used to continue aggressive growth during times when the GDP was flat.

• Shep Hyken and Myron Watkins, VP of Customer Experience at Greyhound, discussed best customer service practices from the C-Suite.

• C-level executives from AIG, Pitney Bowes, Gannett, Acxiom, T-Mobile, SAP, Bombardierand DocuSign were also on stage covering topics ranging from sales strategies, change, building customer engagement and more.

Attendees Made the Most of It

The initial conference was an invitation-only event intended for people from companies with revenues between $10 million and $3 billion. Many in the audience were C-level executives just as powerful as those on stage.

We had a great environment for networking at the conference. The C-level executives easily mingled with the attendees. There were terrific opportunities for meaningful conversations. It was a remarkable opportunity to connect.

Allison Graham from the HuffPost Small Business Blog said the conference showed “how to approach networking with ease, sophistication and authenticity.”

No higher praise could be given for our efforts!

The Next Step: The C-Suite Network Community

I didn’t want the conversations to start and stop In Dallas.

Going into the conference, I knew we would need a better way to continue to connect afterthe conference -- to continue the conversations and build relationships.

I knew we had to do it, and we did it! During the conference, we announced the launch of the C-Suite Network Community. Conference attendees were granted the first-ever access to this powerful online network designed by the C-Suite for the C-Suite.

The C-Suite Network Community is a private online forum for business leaders to discuss best business practices and industry news and offer support to their peers. It will host network activities, provide easy-to-find profiles and connect with relevant online services and resources. The focus is on networking, education and enhancing business leadership.

I was so excited. The conversations and relationship building would continue. We had created an online peer network which I believe will become the exclusive go-to site for C-level execs.

An Opportunity to Market to the C-Suite

Selling to the C-Suite may seem daunting and almost overwhelming at times. Let’s face it: These people are the real deal -- the key influencers in business whose daily decisions affect entire industries. The C-Suite Network will provide unfiltered access to this elite group of key decision makers of major companies. It’s a straight line to the CEO, CMO or CTO.

As marketers, we spend countless hours fostering relationships, whether they’re face-to-face or online. The C-Suite Network will provide an incredible opportunity for marketers to network with C-level execs at conferences and to have limited access to C-level execs through the C-Suite Network Community.

Can you imagine the infinite possibilities created by having access to the world’s most influential business people -- the people who change industries, categories and companies overnight?

What’s not to love!? As a member of the C-Suite and a fellow marketer, there isn’t a more exciting position to be in than that.

Please check us out at: http://c-suitenetwork.com/

Bestselling author and sometime cowboy Jeffrey Hayzlett is a global business celebrity and former Fortune 100 C-Suite executive. He is a well-traveled public speaker, the author of the bestselling books The Mirror Test and Running the Gauntlet and celebrity editor to one of the largest-circulation business publications.

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