Improve relationships with vendors, customers, employees and others that are important to your business with advice from the article “10 Ways To Strengthen Your Business Relationships” from AllBusiness.com. Certain relationships are critical for sustainable success in your business. Use these tips to strengthen ties and keep things running as smoothly as possible.

1. Learn as much as you can about everyone you work with. Know as much as possible about everyone you work with so you can adjust to their changing needs and maintain a mutually beneficial relationship.
2. Treat your vendors like honorary employees. People who regularly service you or your company are just as important as those who actually work for you. Treat them accordingly!
3. Know everyone’s birthday. An unexpected happy birthday wish is a great way to show that you appreciate your business associates.
4. Encourage a sense of ownership among your employees. Giving employees a sense of ownership will increase loyalty and strengthen your company’s foundation.
5. Have one-on-one conversations with your customers to find out what you can do better. Customers don’t typically take the time to explain their lack of satisfaction with a company – they just leave and never come back. Before this happens, take the time to ask them what they need from you.
6. Make your start-up loan payments on time, no matter what. You don’t want to gain a reputation with your bank as someone who doesn’t make loan payments on time. It’s also a good idea to have a separate emergency account that you contribute to each month.
7. Contact your mentors frequently. “Think about those people who gave you valuable advice when you were trying to get your business off the ground, or the person you call immediately when you need advice,” the author writes. “That person is your mentor, and you want to have a close relationship with her so that she is willing to go that extra mile to help you build your business.”
8. Constantly recognize a job well done. Never miss an opportunity to give your employees the recognition they deserve. It’s appreciated more than you may think and knowing that future recognition might be coming is good for morale.
9. Be flexible with the people you count on. Don’t overreact to situates where associates inconvenience you with schedule changes, etc. It comes with the territory, and if you accommodate them occasionally, they’ll be more likely to do the same for you.
10. Make sure employees have everything they need to do their jobs. Don’t hold your employees back with a lack of resources. Make sure they have what they need to succeed!

Click here to read the entire article from AllBusiness.com.