The Relationship Advantage
How to Build Strong Bonds for Personal and Professional Growth

Building lifelong relationships has always been a key ingredient for success. It’s not just about networking or making connections but establishing relationships that last a lifetime. Whether you're looking to start a business, advance your career or just grow your network, having strong relationships can make all the difference.

Strong, lifelong relationships offer a myriad of benefits, from securing funding and accessing new markets to gaining valuable insights and career growth. At the heart of these relationships is trust, which is built over time through consistent interactions and shared experiences. Investing time and effort in your relationship is crucial, especially in business, where trust is essential for negotiating, building partnerships and collaborating effectively. Moreover, lifelong relationships aren't just beneficial in the business world; they also bring joy, support, and a sense of belonging to personal relationships. They help you navigate life's challenges, provide valuable advice and offer a shoulder to lean on when you need it most.

In essence, the value of lifelong relationships cannot be overstated. They're a vital aspect of both personal and professional growth, enriching our lives in countless ways.

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Benefits of Building Lifelong Relationships


Here are some of the specific benefits that these relationships provide:

  1. Access to Opportunities

One of the primary benefits of building relationships is access to opportunities. They can open doors to new markets, partnerships and funding. By building relationships with key players in an industry, you can gain access to valuable information, contacts and resources that can help you achieve your goals.

  1. Career Advancement

Strong relationships with mentors, industry leaders, and other professionals can provide valuable insights and guidance that help you navigate your chosen field. These relationships can also provide access to new job opportunities, promotions and career growth.

  1. Emotional Support

Lifelong relationships provide a sense of belonging and emotional support. Trusted and reliable individuals can help navigate the challenges and difficulties that life can throw your way, providing comfort, guidance and encouragement.

  1. Personal Growth

Connecting with people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences can help you gain new insights, develop new skills, and expand your understanding of the world. These relationships can inspire, motivate, and encourage personal development and growth.


Building Lifelong Relationships through Networking


Networking is all about creating lasting connections, and lifelong relationships are the cornerstone of any successful networking strategy. To build these relationships, it's crucial to focus on meaningful connections, rather than superficial ones.

  • Provide value to others by offering your expertise, advice, or connections. This establishes you as a valuable contact and builds trust with your network.

  • Be authentic and genuine. People connect with those who are honest and genuine, rather than those who are just trying to make a transactional connection. Being genuine in your interactions helps establish a real connection with the people you meet, leading to lifelong relationships.

  • Follow up and stay in touch. Making an initial connection is not enough. Maintaining the relationship over time is crucial. Following up after a networking event, sending a thoughtful message, a birthday message or a congratulatory message, or checking in periodically, shows your commitment to the connection and can solidify the relationship.


Remember, building lifelong relationships through networking takes effort, but the benefits are immeasurable. The ideal networking strategy balances the immediate benefits of making connections with the long-term goal of building lasting relationships.

Building Lifelong Relationships in Business

In a competitive marketplace, having strong relationships can provide a competitive advantage and lead to increased opportunities for growth and success. Here are some ways to build lifelong relationships in business:

  1. Focus on building relationships, not just making transactions. When you prioritize building relationships, you are more likely to establish connections that will last beyond the current business transaction.

  2. Be responsive and dependable. Trust is crucial in business. By being responsive to emails and phone calls and delivering on your promises, you can establish trust with colleagues and partners.

  3. Maintain a positive attitude and be flexible. In business, things don't always go as planned, but by maintaining a positive attitude and being flexible, you can demonstrate your commitment to the relationship and willingness to work through challenges.

  4. Effective communication is vital in building lifelong relationships. By communicating regularly and openly, you can establish clear expectations and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

At Lagos Business School MBA (LBS MBA), we recognize that building lifelong relationships is a critical component of career success. We strive to create a collaborative and supportive environment that encourages our students to connect with their peers, alumni, and industry leaders.

Our programme offers various networking events, mentorship opportunities, and a robust alumni network to equip our students with the tools and resources they need to build lasting relationships that will serve them throughout their careers.

Here are some of the ways that the LBS MBA program fosters an environment that encourages lifelong relationships:

  • Cohort-based learning: Our programme is designed to encourage teamwork and collaboration. By working closely with a small group of students throughout the program, students can establish strong connections with their peers that can last beyond the program.

  • Alumni network: With over 6,000 alumni in Nigeria and beyond, our alumni network provides opportunities for students to connect with alumni from previous cohorts, gain mentorship, and job opportunities, and expand their professional network.

  • Career services: Our career services offer extensive support, including career coaching and networking events. These services can help students build relationships with professionals in their chosen industry and provide opportunities for career advancement.

  • Global network: Our MBA programme attracts students from outside Nigeria and includes international exchange programmes, providing a diverse and global network of contacts. By connecting with students from different backgrounds and cultures, our students can gain new perspectives, expand their network, and establish relationships that can last a lifetime.

Lagos Business School MBA is committed to providing its students with an environment that fosters the development of lifelong relationships. If you're interested in joining our programme, becoming part of our global alumni network, and building meaningful lifelong relationships, visit our website to learn more about our admissions process and how we can help you achieve your career goals. 

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